Lead poisoning

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Lead poisoning

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USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

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A 47-year-old man is brought to the office by his son due to increased forgetfulness and fatigue for the past three months. He has also been frequently stumbling and experienced several near-falls while climbing stairs. Review of systems is also notable for abdominal pain and numbness in the patient’s hands and feet. Past medical history is unremarkable, and he does not take any medications. He has been working as an automobile mechanic for the last 20 years. Vitals are within normal limits. The abdomen is soft, nontender, and without organomegaly on physical examination. Neurological examination reveals weakness and reduced pinprick sensation in the bilateral hands and feet. Upper and lower limb reflexes are 2/5. Laboratory testing is shown below. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

  

External References

First Aid

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Abdominal colic

lead poisoning p. 425

Basophilic stippling p. 421, 727

lead poisoning p. 425

Burton line

lead poisoning p. 425

Chelation

lead poisoning p. 425

Demyelination

lead poisoning (adult) p. 430

Dimercaprol

for lead poisoning p. 247, 425

Encephalopathy

lead poisoning p. 425

Foot drop p. 456

lead poisoning p. 425

Headache p. 532

lead poisoning p. 430

Lead poisoning p. 425, 430

acute tubular necrosis p. 620

in anemia taxonomy p. 423

basophilic stippling in p. 421

labs/findings p. 727

presentation p. 724

sideroblastic anemia p. 425

treatment p. 247

Memory loss

lead poisoning p. 430

Penicillamine

for lead poisoning p. 247

Sideroblastic anemia p. 421, 425

lead poisoning p. 425

Succimer

lead poisoning p. 425

Wrist drop

lead poisoning p. 425

Summary

Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by accumulation of lead in the body. Lead is a toxin that can accumulate in the body and damage almost every organ and system. Early symptoms of lead poisoning include irritability, difficulty sleeping, and loss of appetite. As the level of lead in the blood increases, more serious symptoms develop, including abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures, and coma.