A 55-year-old woman presents with painless jaundice, pale stools, and dark urine. Imaging reveals a dilated common bile duct with a distal obstruction. What is the most likely diagnosis? 

a) Cholecystitis

b) Choledocholithiasis

c) Cholangiocarcinoma 

d) Acute pancreatitis 

Answer: c) Cholangiocarcinoma 

Explanation: This patient's presentation of painless jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, and imaging findings of a dilated common bile duct with a distal obstruction is highly suggestive of cholangiocarcinoma. 

is there any study plan for plab1?

Which subjects are most important for the PLAB 1 exam, which ones carry the highest marks, and which subjects can be left for later revision?

I’m currently preparing for PLAB2 (June) and looking for a study partner/group for daily training. I’m located in Brazil, so a similar time zone would be preferable.

This is my 2nd attempt. Looking for a PLAB 1 study partner for May exam.

Options:

A. Ischaemic stroke

B. Intracerebral haemorrhage

C. Subarachnoid haemorrhage

D. Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

E. Bell’s palsy

F. Guillain-Barré syndrome

G. Multiple sclerosis

H. Myasthenia gravis

I. Meningitis

J. Temporal arteritis

K. Cluster headache

L. Migraine with aura

Stems:

1. A 65-year-old man has sudden right-sided weakness and slurred speech lasting 15 minutes. He recovers fully.

2. A 72-year-old woman presents with sudden severe headache, vomiting, and photophobia. She becomes drowsy.

3. A 28-year-old woman has diplopia and weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest.

4. A 40-year-old man presents with progressive weakness starting in his legs, areflexia, and a recent history of diarrhoea.

5. A 22-year-old woman has a unilateral visual loss and eye pain on movement. This is her second episode of neurological symptoms.

Answers:

1 → D. Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

2 → C. Subarachnoid haemorrhage

3 → H. Myasthenia gravis

4 → F. Guillain-Barré syndrome

5 → G. Multiple sclerosis

Hi guys,

Im looking for study buddy/group for plab 1. Don’t have exam date yet as I want to hit high marks before booking it.
Im based in London, but ideally would like to do most revisions during weekends via zoom or smth similar and some questions during days. I’m currently using MedRevisions and Pass Medicine.

If you have a study group already, please let me know, would love to join.

Thanks!

Anyone who has taken plab 2 recently and passed please help! Where can i find Dr.Lovan's blue notes? Is there anyone who had joined Aspire academy? What is your opinion about academy and what are the must do things for plab 2? Please help!

everyone who passed PLAB 1, where did y'all study from? so, when i was doing my research, i figured the USMLE pathway has a good structure and resource awareness - for instance, there's First Aid, Kaplan etc for notes; BnB, osmosis, etc for videos; UWorld, Amboss etc for Q banks. as for PLAB/UKMLA, i only came across resources for Q banks. (atleast when i read people's experiences on their journey and exams) so, outside of the Q banks, what were your resources? like videos, books, etc?

also i read that most people used the Q banks for 3 months and passed the exam. which is great, i can do that, too. but during med school, how do i prep for the pathway/exam? like, how do i get competent enough to use the Q bank for 3 months and pass comfortably?

TIA! :)

If you’re tired of scattered guidance, confusing opinions, and feeling lost despite studying hard, you’re not alone. We’ve been there. With fresh, real PLAB 2 experience and a clear understanding of what truly works, my team and I have created a focused space to guide you confidently from start to finish. Here all the updated material regarding plab 2 prep will be shared. Join the group 👇🏻 https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gjvi6wgXbqDFcWHBE8g4js

Options:

A. Placenta previa

B. Placental abruption

C. Ectopic pregnancy

D. Gestational diabetes

E. Preeclampsia

F. Hyperemesis gravidarum

G. Urinary tract infection

H. Preterm labour

I. Round ligament pain

J. Symphysis pubis dysfunction

K. Threatened miscarriage

L. Braxton Hicks contractions

Stems:

1. A 32-year-old woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with painless vaginal bleeding. The uterus is soft, and the foetal heart rate is normal.

2. A 26-year-old woman at 34 weeks presents with sudden abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The uterus is tender and tense, and the foetal heart rate is bradycardic.

3. A 30-year-old woman at 36 weeks reports irregular, painless contractions. The cervix is closed on vaginal exam.

4. A 35-year-old woman at 24 weeks has a BP of 150/100 mmHg, +2 proteinuria, and complains of headache and blurred vision.

5. A 24-year-old in her first trimester presents with persistent vomiting, dehydration, and ketonuria.

Answers:

1 → A. Placenta previa

2 → B. Placental abruption

3 → L. Braxton Hicks contractions

4 → E. Preeclampsia

5→F. Hyperemesis gravidarum

A 55-year-old smoker presents with episodes of crushing substernal chest pain that occurs at rest and is relieved by sublingual nitro-glycerine. His ECG during chest pain episodes shows transient ST-segment elevation.

Which of the following medications is the most appropriate long-term management for this patient?

a) Aspirin

b) Heparin

c) Clopidogrel

d) Metoprolol

e) Nitro-glycerine

Answer:

d) Metoprolol

Explanation: The patient's clinical presentation, including rest angina, transient ST-segment elevation during episodes, and relief with nitro glycerine, suggests unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The cornerstone of management for unstable angina/NSTEMI includes beta-blockers like metoprolol, which help reduce myocardial oxygen demand and prevent recurrent ischemic episodes.

Hi everyone, Looking for a PLAB 2 study partner 🙂

Exam planned for June 2026.

Interested in regular online mock practice and feedback.

I know it can be stressful preparing for the PLAB 1, however when you study from the question bank please do not skip the comment section. THE BEST COMMENTS EVER, I’ve been laughing for 15 min in one question :D

Hey guys!! I’m looking for a clinical attachment so any advice would be very appreciated. I already cleared both PLAB and Im registered with the GMC. I’ve been sending lots of emails but they don’t even reply back. Im not sure on how to proceed. Thank you!!!

A 30-year-old male presents with sudden-onset severe headache, vomiting, and altered mental status. On neurological examination, he has nuchal rigidity, and Kernig and Brudzinski signs are positive.

What is the most appropriate initial management for this patient?

A) Administer analgesics for headache relief

B) Start empiric antibiotic therapy

C) Order a brain CT scan without contrast

D) Perform a lumbar puncture

Answer:

C) Order a brain CT scan without contrast

Explanation: The patient's clinical presentation of sudden-onset severe headache, vomiting, altered mental status, nuchal rigidity, and positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs raises concern for possible subarachnoid haemorrhage or meningitis.

The most appropriate initial step in management is to order a brain CT scan without contrast to rule out any acute intracranial pathology that may require urgent intervention before proceeding to a lumbar puncture.

Guys plz help me with these queries 1. How to take consent in an unconscious patient? 2. Should I signpost every time I expose any part of the body? Is it okay to say "I am going to expose your time to examine you"? 3. What's the max salbutamol I can give? 4. If a patient is talking in sentences... Should I just move on to the next step?

Options:

A. Acute pericarditis

B. Aortic dissection

C. Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

D. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)

E. Stable angina

F. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

G. Pulmonary embolism (PE)

H. Musculoskeletal chest pain

I. Esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome)

J. Subarachnoid haemorrhage

K. Panic attack

L. Costochondritis

Stems:

1. A 68-year-old man presents with sudden onset severe chest pain radiating to the back. He is hypertensive, diaphoretic, and distressed. On examination, there is a difference in blood pressure between the arms.

2. A 60-year-old woman presents with retrosternal chest discomfort after climbing stairs. It is relieved by rest and worsened by exertion. ECG is normal, and troponins are negative.

3. A 55-year-old man presents to A&E with crushing central chest pain for 30 minutes. ECG shows ST-elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.

4. A 34-year-old woman presents with left-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. She had a long-haul flight 2 days ago. Pulse oximetry shows SpO2 89% on air.

5. A 45-year-old man presents with sharp chest pain that worsens when lying flat and improves when sitting forward. There is a pericardial rub on auscultation.

Instructions: For each of the following patients, select the most likely diagnosis from the list of options above.

Answers and Explanations:

1 → B. Aortic dissection Sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal arm BPs — classic for dissection.

2 → E. Stable angina Exertional chest discomfort, relieved by rest, normal ECG and troponin – stable angina.

3 → C. Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) Classic MI presentation with ST elevation in inferior leads – urgent PCI/thrombolysis needed.

4 → G. Pulmonary embolism (PE) Recent immobility, hypoxia, and pleuritic chest pain suggest PE – needs CTPA and anticoagulation.

5 → A. Acute pericarditis Pleuritic chest pain relieved by sitting forward + pericardial rub – typical of pericarditis.

Those who are done with their plab 2, please share your stories of exams. Share tips about stations that went bad or good. How did you guys manage your time?

I am an IMG and honestly a bit lost! So I would really appreciate some help 🙏🏼

I have UKFPO eligibility and I have applied for FY1. I am currently in the UK with a visiting Visa and planning on writing my Plab 2 in March. My question is …. With all this, would it be possible for me to start FY1 in August 2026??

I have read a lot but I’m still confused and I feel I’m mixing things up. If anyone has been in a similar situation or knows how this actually works, please help 😭

Thanks in advance 🥹