Organ System Pathology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 72-year-old male with 30 years of occupational asbestos exposure installing shipyard insulation presents with progressive exertional dyspnea. Vital signs show BP 138/82 mmHg, HR 92/min, RR 22/min, SpO2 88% on room air. High-resolution CT chest demonstrates bilateral lower lobe interstitial fibrosis and calcified pleural plaques. Pulmonary function testing shows reduced DLCO at 62% predicted. He denies constitutional symptoms or smoking history. Which diagnosis best explains these findings?
Answer choices
- ACoal workers pneumoconiosis
- BAsbestosisCorrect answer
- CMesothelioma
- DIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- ESilicosis
- FTalcosis
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations ā plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas ā with a free MedBoardPRO account.