Most of the students suffer from a poverty of words when they write a few lines in MEQ. In olden times there were real essay questions, where the student had to write a few pages properly arranged in paragraphs. Later due to the labour and hardship involved in marking, it was changed to MEQ. Although it is named modified essay question, there is hardly any element of essay in it. It's always 'listing' or 'stating' or maximum 'briefly explain' or 'outline'. Even then students fail to express well. Marks are lost because of improper expression even when the student seems to know the answer.
This is true especially when the question is of neurology. Sides and sites are very important here. Imagine the examiner's dilemma when the student writes facial palsy and not mention the side, or just upper motor neurone lesion without the exact site or side.
Some of expressions and misconceptions are evident in the recently finished MEQ.
Thrombolytics and fibrinolytics for secondary prevention of stroke
Syncope due to high blood pressure
LMN lesion progressing UMN lesion in a case of stroke due to worsening of the brain lesion
Transient loss of consciousness due to stroke
Carotid bruit produced by turbulence at aortic valve - (IT IS NOT CALLED BRUIT BUT RADIATING MURMUR)
Anticoagulants such as aspirin and clopidogrel
Postural syncope secondary to systemic hypertension
High pressure due to LV hypertrophy leads to systemic hypertension causing hypervascularity leading to systolic bruit up to the neck at the carotid artery - WHAT AN APPALLING CONCEPT!!
Unable to close eye interpreted as due to III nerve palsy - JUST THE REVERSE
Site of lesion above anterior horn cell of the spinal cord, left side of the head
Heaving apex beat and loud A2 due to RV hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension
Ischaemic stroke at upper motor neurone
Diuretic to treat diabetes and postpone nephropathy
Finger biting in epilepsy
Transient LOC due to ischaemic stroke
EEG to confirm hypoperfusion of the brain
Neck bruit indicating turbulence in the aorta
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Hello Prof Thomas,
ReplyDeleteThis is really a very informative and useful blog. congratulations! I'm so impressed with your dedication towards teaching and education. Thank you so much. Your explanation indeed is way better than those in the text books. =)
Thank you, Hayati. That is really encouraging
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