Pathology Practice Test

1. The cardinal feature of atypical pneumonia secondary to Legionella pneumophila is:

A. clinical presentation incompatible with chest X-ray
B. rust colored sputum
C. stepwise fever pattern
D. hyponatremia
E. bloody diarrhea


2. A 4yo/m develops an infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. How does infection with this organism cause blindness?


A. Cataract formation
B. Hemorrhage into the anterior chamber
C. Hemorrahge into the posterior chamber
D. Retinal detachment
E. Scarring of the cornea

3. Paroxysmal pattern of hacking coughs, accompanied by production of copious amounts of mucus, that end with an inspiratory gasp is the characteristic clinical manifestationof infection with which of the following organism?

A. Haemophilus influenzae
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Parainfluenza virus type I
D. Bordetella pertussis
E. Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Forensic Medicine

I have recently attended a National Medical Student's Conference in UP Manila and among the top speaker is Dr. Raquel Fortun. She talked about Forensic Medicine and being only one of the two Forensic Pathologists in the country. The topic and the specialty is only emerging as the practice is not formally recognized and institutionalized in the Philippines. I have learned a lot from her and was inspired to share the tidbits and facts about this road less travelled.

PhotoCredit: Wikimedia

Forensic pathology is a sub-specialty of histopathology, and is concerned with the application of pathological principles to the investigation of the medico-legal aspects of death.

Forensic pathologists are medically trained, specialized, qualified doctors who perform autopsies (postmortem examinations) on those who have died suddenly, unexpectedly, or as a result of trauma or poisoning.

The forensic investigation of death is a multi-disciplinary activity, involving the collaboration between pathologists, crime scene investigators (CSIs), forensic scientists, and other specialists, such as anthropologists, entomologists, odontologists (dentists) and many other experts.