A Middle-Aged Obese Man Complains of Increasing Frequency of Headaches

question 39

Multiple Choice

A middle-aged obese man complains of increasing frequency of headaches and worsening visual acuity. Although his headache pain is usually relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers, the discomfort returns after a few hours. An ophthalmoscopic examination reveals bilateral flame hemorrhages and cotton-wool spots. What laboratory measurement would confirm the likely cause of this man's headaches and worsening sight?

• A) Serum glucose level
• B) Hemoglobin A_lc
• C) Toxicology screen including methanol
• D) Serum vitamin A level
• E) Blood pressure

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Definitions:

Carbon Dioxide

A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.

Passive Transport

Membrane-crossing mechanism that requires no energy input.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process of passive transport, with the aid of integral membrane proteins, allowing substances to move across cell membranes without energy expenditure.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

A cellular process by which cells internalize molecules (like hormones, nutrients, and proteins) by the inward budding of plasma membrane vesicles containing proteins with receptor sites specific to the molecules being internalized.