Dumb Medical Questions

Q: How do I prepare for USMLE step 2 CK as an IMG? A: Step 1 often poses a tricky challenge for international graduates who are USMLE aspirants. Some attempt it several years after their medical graduation when their foundational knowledge has all but evaporated. It may feel like the boss-level in a video game, but it has its own cheat codes -- First Aid, Pathoma, Uworld. Yet when it comes to Step 2 CK students struggle for an entirely different reason. While Step 1 is akin to an incredibly difficult voyage, Step 2 is like sailing an uncharted sea. With no single exhaustive resource, it is tough to know where to begin. Here at Dumb CQs, we would like to review the available question banks, books and assessments to help you select the best one: QUESTION BANKS: 1) UWorld - If we had to recommend just one question bank, it would be Uworld. However, to get the most bang for your buck (as you must, the pricing starts at 349$), it's best to follow a systematic...

Q: What's the difference between physiological and pathological hypertrophy of the heart and how does pathological hypertrophy lead to heart failure while physiological hypertrophy does not? A: This question certainly isn't dumb, as scientists are still trying to work out the answer to this date! Physiological hypertrophy is often seen in athletes and pregnant women and is characterised by being reversible, comprising healthy myocardium and devoid of associated symptoms of Heart Failure. [2] Pathological Hypertrophy is often seen in conditions like Aortic Stenosis and Hypertension, where the hypertrophy is accompanied by irreversible scarring,fibrosis and symptoms of heart failure. [2]  Types of Cardiac Hypertrophy: ( Source: Intermittent pressure overload triggers hypertrophy-independent cardiac dysfunction and vascular rarefaction Cinzia Perrino, 1   Sathyamangla V. Naga Prasad, 1   Lan Mao, 1   Takahisa Noma, 1   Zhen Yan, 1   Hyung-Suk ...