Knew too much for this problem?

[sotto voce]

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EK Bio 1011, #42:

"Scurvy is caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, resulting in a collegen synthesis defect. Which of the following would NOT be a possible symptom of scurvy?

A. defective wound healing
B. bleeding gums
C. vision difficulty
D. ruptured surface capillaries

A and D quite clearly are possible symptoms. I remembered that the cornea has a lot of collagen in it, and I figured one symptom therefore could be impaired vision, so I answered B. Turns out the answer is C.

Should I ignore random facts floating around my head when answering a question like this? The explanation from EK just says to eliminate the symptoms that could be caused by structural defects. I would certainly say vision difficulty is the least likely symptom, but it's a possible symptom, at least from what little I know about the human body.

Thoughts?

 

[Bacchus]

Lit search brings up vision difficulty as a symptom but below bleeding gums and defective wound healing. This was probably a case of knowing too much. Even in the future, on board exams, you look for the classic bleeding gums and poor wound healing. Usually Vitamin A deficiency and the eyes go together.

 

[MedPR]

I'd argue that you didn't know enough to answer the question, not that you knew too much. Knowing too much would mean being able to rule out every answer and then be stuck. If you knew enough, you would've known B to be a better answer regardless of C being true as well.

 

[sotto voce]

I'd argue that you didn't know enough to answer the question, not that you knew too much. Knowing too much would mean being able to rule out every answer and then be stuck. If you knew enough, you would've known B to be a better answer regardless of C being true as well.

I was stuck because they're all conceivable symptoms. I answered B since the other three appeared to be very likely symptoms, given the role of collagen in the eye. But you are correct in the sense that I didn't realize bleeding gums is not only a possible symptom, but a very likely symptom. Choice C is thus the best answer, despite being incorrect. 😉

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Thanks, Bacchus. Indeed, according to the NHS, one of the symptoms is:

"vision problems, such as blurred vision, which are caused by bleeding inside your eyes; you may also become more sensitive to light and your eyes may feel sticky"

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Scurvy/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

 

[Bacchus]

I think its a poor question since it asks "would not be a possibility." If that were the case they'd have thrown in another symptom associated with a different nutritional component such as dermatitis of Pellagra or high-output heart failure of Beri-beri.

 

[ur2l8]

Lit search brings up vision difficulty as a symptom but below bleeding gums and defective wound healing. This was probably a case of knowing too much. Even in the future, on board exams, you look for the classic bleeding gums and poor wound healing. Usually Vitamin A deficiency and the eyes go together.

True. I remember learning about scurvy in pirates in elementary school - the bleeding gums is the traditional symptom. I remember acting like a pirate with bleeding guns. Seems like B is the obvious gimme answer? Ahh those were such good times 😀

 

[loveoforganic]

What the hell kind of mcat question is this? I don't remember learning anything related to any of that until med school

 

[sotto voce]

What the hell kind of mcat question is this? I don't remember learning anything related to any of that until med school

The passage discussed collagen, saying it is "a structural protein that holds cells together and allows for the formation of solid tissue" and is found in bonde, skin, tendons, and cartilage. C is the best answer, although we've established vision problems (namely, bleeding in your eyes) it is a very conceivable symptom.

 

[Bacchus]

Not very conceivable, just conceivable. Defective wound healing and bleeding gums are the hallmark of the disease.

 

[sotto voce]

Not very conceivable, just conceivable. Defective wound healing and bleeding gums are the hallmark of the disease.

Unlikely but conceivable. 🙂 Anyway, I think we've beaten this question to death for now.

 

[Morsetlis]

The passage discussed collagen, saying it is "a structural protein that holds cells together and allows for the formation of solid tissue" and is found in bonde, skin, tendons, and cartilage. C is the best answer, although we've established vision problems (namely, bleeding in your eyes) it is a very conceivable symptom.

The MCAT likes to do this. It gives you general information, then asks you to synthesize it to answer a question.