Medical Detectives

Several students came to the office with stomach aches and vomiting a few hours after a pancake breakfast. A foodborne illness was suspected for the outbreak, and students were interviewed about the food they ate earlier that day. Given the attack rates shown in Table 1, which food item is the most likely source of the illness that’s causing several students to get sick?

• Sausage

• Butter

• Milk

• Juice

What test should she order to confirm the diagnosis?

• A brain scan such as a CT scan or MRI

• A spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

• Electromyography (EMG) tests

• Nerve conduction velocity tests

Use the chart to answer the following: A patient comes to the ER complaining of the following symptoms: Ÿ Coughing (sometimes coughs up blood) Ÿ Fever Ÿ Chills Ÿ Fatigue Ÿ Weakness Ÿ Pain in the chest

• Common cold

• Influenza (Flu)

• Pneumococcal Pneumonia

• Tuberculosis (TB)

Based on the test results, what is the patient’s diagnosis?

• The patient does not have strep throat or influenza.

• The patient has both strep throat and influenza.

• The patient has influenza and not strep throat.

• The patient has strep throat and not influenza.

Given the attack rates shown in Table 1, which food item is the most likely source of the illness that's causing several students to get sick?

• Milk

• Juice

• Butter

• Sausage

What is the primary role of a medical detective in a hospital setting?

• Diagnosing diseases based on symptoms and test results

• Performing surgeries on patients

• Administering medications to patients

• Managing hospital finances

Which of the following is a common tool used by medical detectives to analyze blood samples?

• Stethoscope

• Microscope

• Thermometer

• Sphygmomanometer

A patient presents with symptoms of a rare disease. What is the first step a medical detective should take?

• Prescribe medication immediately

• Order a series of diagnostic tests

• Consult with a specialist

• Review the patient's medical history

What type of imaging technique is often used by medical detectives to view the internal organs of a patient?

• X-ray

• Ultrasound

• MRI

• CT scan

In the context of medical investigation, what does the term 'biopsy' refer to?

• A blood test

• A surgical procedure to remove tissue for examination

• A type of imaging scan

• A genetic test