FORMATIVE 2006 EXAMINATIONS

Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery: Second Examination Part 2

ORAL SCIENCES AND MEDICINE: CRITICAL REASONING
TIME ALLOWED: ONE HOUR

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
There is one section to this written paper worth 50 marks.
The question consists of an item of text followed by related questions. Having read the text,
use your understanding and your prior knowledge to answer the questions.
You are encouraged to answer in note form, listing key points and using diagrams or tables
as appropriate.
You may use non-programmable calculators for numerical calculations.
Candidates are not allowed to remove any part of the question paper from the
examination room.

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Section A
Party animals
William and Mary first met at a party 10 years ago. They have been together ever since and
say that the strength of their relationship is that they are both party animals. Now in her 30's,
Mary is becoming more health conscious and has started going to the gym. She admits to
enjoying a few drinks, but only in the evening and usually with friends. She can't say how
much she drinks in a week, but doesn't think that it is excessive. Her personal trainer
suggested that she keep an "alcohol diary"
Mary's alcohol diary.
Monday 1 glass of Rioja with dinner (red wine, 125 ml 13% ABV)
Tuesday, drinks after work: 2 x 330ml bottles Grolsch (lager 5% ABV)
Wednesday 1 gin & tonic (25ml gin 40% ABV)
Thursday, really bad day at work, 2 x gin & tonic
Friday, drinks after work, 4 x 330ml bottles Grolsch
Saturday, Jamie's party, 2 x 330ml bottles Grolsch, 6 x glasses red wine, 4 x gin &
tonic (I think)
Sunday nothing
Mary decides that last week's alcohol consumption was "pretty average". William insists that
he is comfortable with his level of alcohol consumption and refuses to keep a diary. He
comments that men can safely drink more than women and gets annoyed when Mary tries to
work out exactly how much he drank during the previous week. However, Mary noted that he
finished the bottle of wine on Monday and went for drinks with his workmates on Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday he got through a six-pack of Grolsch whilst watching
Manchester United hammer Chelsea on TV. On Saturday he had a few beers before going
out and drank at least as much as she did at the party. William also claimed that the best
thing for his hangover on Sunday morning was a large vodka.
Mary is also concerned that William has stopped playing football on Sundays. He had to rest
after a hamstring injury but that was months ago. He doesn't take any other form of exercise
and is now putting on weight. She thinks his complexion is also poor and "a bit yellow" To
add to her concerns, one of his colleagues has confided to her that William's timekeeping
has got so erratic recently that he could lose his job.
Additional information.
The strength of an alcoholic drink is indicated by the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). A unit is
10 ml of pure alcohol.
The CAGE questionnaire is commonly used for people to find out if they have an alcohol problem.
Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had an "Eye opener" - a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves?
Just one yes answer indicates a possible drinking problem. Yes to more than one question suggests a
likely drinking problem.

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Questions
1) 4/50
What is the recommended maximum weekly alcohol consumption for a man
and for a woman. Why are the recommended maxima different for men and
women?
2) 6/50
How many units of alcohol did Mary consume in a week? Comment on the
extent and the pattern of her alcohol consumption.
3) 6/50
Suppose that Mary had not gone to Jamie's party and had instead stayed at
home and had a single glass of red wine. Recalculate her alcohol consumption
on this basis and comment on the extent and the pattern of her alcohol
consumption.
4) 6/50
Comment on the extent and the pattern of William's alcohol consumption.
5) 6/50
Make a list of early indicators of problem drinking. Which of these does William
exhibit?
6) 4/50
Is William an alcoholic? Justify your answer
7) 12/50
Alcohol abuse can damage the liver. Describe the ways in which liver damage
can be assessed and the pathological changes that may occur in the liver as a
result of alcohol abuse.
8) 6/50
List the negative effects of long term alcohol abuse

BDS 391.2 Paper IC Critical Reasoning 01/06/PMS

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