Organ System Pathology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 49-year-old male sandblaster presents with 3-month progressive dyspnea and dry cough. Vital signs: BP 128/82 mmHg, HR 92 bpm, RR 22/min, Temp 37.2°C, SpO2 88% on room air. Chest X-ray demonstrates multiple 2-3 mm upper lobe nodules with eggshell calcification of hilar lymph nodes. Pulmonary function tests show reduced DLCO. Notably, there is no fever or hemoptysis. Which diagnosis best explains these findings?
Answer choices
- ASarcoidosis
- BSilicosisCorrect answer
- CBerylliosis
- DAsbestosis
- ECoal workers pneumoconiosis
- FTalcosis
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.