This page provides example of various question formats used.
“True, True and Unrelated” Format
Evaluate each of the two statements separated by “BECAUSE” for their validity and then, if both are true, evaluate the possibility that the second statement is the correct explanation for what is described in the first statement. Answer as follows:
A. TRUE and TRUE and the reason given is the CORRECT EXPLANATION
B. TRUE and TRUE but the reason given is NOT THE CORRECT EXPLANATION
C. TRUE (1st statement) and FALSE (2nd statement)
D. FALSE (1st statement) and TRUE (2nd statement)
E. FALSE and FALSE
“Most Proximate Cause” Format
Consists of a hypothetical sequence of events:
A leading to B leading to C leading to D leading to E
In the sequence above, the “most proximate cause” of D is C. (Note that there is NOT necessarily a relation to answers A-E in the questions; the answers A-E are simply possibilities given in alphabetical order.) Questions asking for the “most proximate cause” require constructing a hypothesis about the probable chain of events leading to the finding given for each item. Each choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
“Probability of Diagnosis” Format
Based on the clinical, laboratory and imaging data given in the case, select from the following the degree of certainty of each of the diagnoses given in the items below:
A. Diagnosis established (by definition of criteria)
B. Diagnosis probable (from context or given data); more info needed to confirm
C. No basis for judging available in data given
D. Diagnosis improbable (from context or given data) but not ruled out
E. Diagnosis ruled out by data given
Sample quizzes are posted on the course web site.
