A 56-Year-Old Man Is Evaluated for Progressive Visual Impairment

question 12

Multiple Choice

A 56-year-old man is evaluated for progressive visual impairment.  The patient works as part of the grounds crew at an airport, and says he has trouble identifying aircraft at a distance and with filling out paperwork at the end of his shift.  His medical history includes poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gout.  A year ago, the patient underwent an uncomplicated repair of a right inguinal hernia.  Physical examination shows bilateral clouding of the lens.  The remainder of the examination is unremarkable.  Which of the following metabolic conversions is most likely contributing to this patient's current condition?

• A)Galactitol to tagatose
• B)Galactose to galactitol
• C)Glucose to sorbitol
• D)Glucose-6-phosphate to 6-phosphogluconolactone
• E)Pyruvate to lactate

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Definitions:

Sterile Field

An area kept free of microorganisms to prevent infection during medical procedures, often created around the site of surgery or in a laboratory.

Antiseptic Solution

A chemical used to stop or slow down the growth of germs and bacteria on living tissues.

Sterile Field

A specific area that is free of all microorganisms to maintain asepsis during surgical procedures and other sensitive medical tasks.

Specimen Preservation

The process of maintaining the integrity of a biological sample for later analysis or examination.