USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 Practice Exam

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Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 with a comprehensive quiz. Practice with multiple-choice questions covering essential medical concepts, with hints and detailed explanations. Boost your confidence and knowledge ahead of the exam!

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Which condition is characterized by decreased FEV1/FVC ratio and expiratory wheezing?

  1. Asthma

  2. Pulmonary infarction

  3. Caplan syndrome

  4. Perfusion-limited gas exchange

The correct answer is: Asthma

Decreased FEV1/FVC ratio and expiratory wheezing are characteristic of asthma, which is a chronic respiratory condition caused by inflammation of the airways. This leads to a narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing, resulting in a decreased FEV1/FVC ratio. Pulmonary infarction, or a blockage in the blood vessels of the lungs, would not present with wheezing. Caplan syndrome, an autoimmune disease affecting the lungs, would not typically present with a decreased FEV1/FVC ratio. Perfusion-limited gas exchange, a condition where the transfer of gases in the lungs is limited, would also not result in expiratory wheezing. Therefore, the most appropriate answer is asthma.