American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Prepare for the ABS QE with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Start your journey to becoming a certified surgeon and tackle your exam with confidence!

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What diagnostic sign can indicate decreased copper levels in a patient?

Hyperglycemia
Pancytopenia
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypotension

The correct answer is: Pancytopenia

The diagnostic sign indicating decreased copper levels is pancytopenia. Copper plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including hematopoiesis (the formation of blood cells). A deficiency in copper can lead to impaired production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, resulting in a reduction in all three blood cell types, which is termed pancytopenia. Pancytopenia is significant because it not only suggests an underlying nutritional deficiency but also prompts further investigation into potential causes, including bone marrow suppression or other systemic issues that might be leading to decreased production or increased destruction of blood cells. This makes it a relevant diagnostic sign for identifying low copper levels in patients, as opposed to the other options listed.