HIVE Medical Trivia: Weekend Wrap-up
Welcome to this week’s HIVE Medical Trivia Wrap-up! We had some interesting cases and medical questions this week, and now it’s time to break down the answers in detail. Let’s dive right in!
Friday’s Question: A 23-year-old student returns from a trip abroad and develops a high fever, body aches, a rash, bleeding gums, and severe joint pain. What disease might he have?
Correct Answer: B) Dengue fever
Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, common in tropical and subtropical regions. The symptoms fit perfectly: high fever, body aches (often called "breakbone fever"), rash, bleeding tendencies (like bleeding gums), and severe joint pain. The infection is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.
- Why not Malaria? Malaria also causes fever and body aches, but it typically comes with chills, sweats, and cycles of fever. Malaria is caused by a parasite, not a virus, and it doesn't usually present with a rash or bleeding gums.
- Why not Flu? The flu can cause fever and body aches, but it doesn’t typically cause rash, severe joint pain, or bleeding symptoms.
- Why not Tuberculosis (TB)? TB causes a chronic cough, night sweats, and weight loss, not a sudden high fever with bleeding and joint pain.
Thursday’s Question: A 12-year-old boy falls off his skateboard and lands on his outstretched arm. He has severe pain and swelling around his wrist. What should be done first?
Correct Answer: B) Apply ice and keep it still
Whenever someone has a possible fracture (broken bone), the best immediate action is to immobilize the area and apply ice to reduce swelling. Moving a broken bone could make the injury worse.
- Why not A (Try to straighten his arm)? This could cause more damage, especially if the bone is fractured or dislocated.
- Why not C (Have him move it)? If it's broken, moving it could make things worse.
- Why not D (Massage the area)? Massaging a broken bone would be extremely painful and could lead to further damage.
Wednesday’s Question: A mother brings her 2-year-old to the clinic because he has had a fever and a barking cough for two nights. He also makes a whistling noise when he breathes in. What is the most likely condition?
Correct Answer: B) Croup
Croup is a viral infection that causes swelling of the upper airway, leading to a barking cough and stridor (a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing in). It is common in young children and often worse at night.
- Why not A (Asthma)? Asthma causes wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out) and difficulty breathing, but it doesn't usually cause a barking cough.
- Why not C (Pneumonia)? Pneumonia causes fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, but it does not cause a barking cough or stridor.
- Why not D (Common cold)? A cold can cause a cough and fever, but it wouldn’t cause the distinct barking cough or whistling noise (stridor).
Tuesday’s Question: A 45-year-old man suddenly clutches his chest at a restaurant. He is sweating, has difficulty breathing, and says he feels like an "elephant is sitting on his chest." What should you do first?
Correct Answer: C) Call emergency services immediately
These are classic signs of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Immediate medical attention is critical. Calling emergency services should be the first step.
- Why not A (Give him painkillers)? Some painkillers (like NSAIDs) could actually increase the risk of complications.
- Why not B (Tell him to lie down and rest)? Resting might help, but it does not replace the urgent need for medical care.
- Why not D (Ask him to take deep breaths and relax)? While deep breathing may help with stress, it won’t stop a heart attack.
Monday’s Question: Which nutrient is essential for preventing osteoporosis?
Correct Answer: B) Calcium
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. Calcium is the key nutrient for strong bones. It helps maintain bone density and strength.
- Why not A (Vitamin C)? Vitamin C is essential for immunity and skin health, but it does not play a major role in bone strength.
- Why not C (Iron)? Iron is needed for making red blood cells, not for bone health.
- Why not D (Potassium)? Potassium is important for muscle and nerve function but does not directly affect bone density.
Final Thoughts
This week’s HIVE Medical Trivia covered a variety of important health topics, from tropical diseases to emergency responses and childhood illnesses. Medical knowledge can be life-saving, and understanding these conditions can help you make informed decisions in real-life situations!
Stay tuned for next week's trivia, and keep those brains sharp! Have any medical questions? Drop them in the comments!