18 Hours Of Persistent | Nausea and Vomiting (Assessment & Diagnosis) — 34yo Woman | Endocrinology | MCCQE1 Q#13372

MCCQE1 Question #13372

Dimension of Care

Acute Care

Activity

Assessment & Diagnosis

Objective

Nausea and Vomiting

Section

Medicine / Family Medicine

Subject

Endocrinology

Last updated: February 2026
A 34-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with 18 hours of persistent nausea and vomiting and inability to keep down fluids. She has 3 months of fatigue, unintentional weight loss, salt craving, and dizziness on standing. She stopped oral prednisone 10 mg daily one week ago after several months of use for inflammatory arthritis. She reports no abdominal pain or diarrhea. Examination shows dry mucous membranes and diffuse hyperpigmentation of the palmar creases. After initial IV fluids and dextrose, which targeted investigation is most appropriate to confirm the underlying diagnosis?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.