NLE Medicine MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Sample NLE (NRE) theory MCQs from Medicine and Allied — the single largest section at 52 of 200 questions — covering cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine and haematology, each with the correct answer explained.

Medicine and Allied makes up 52 of the 200 questions on the NLE (NRE) theory paper — the single largest section, just ahead of Surgery and Allied at 48. Together the two make up exactly half the exam. Below is a sample set of Medicine MCQs in the same clinical-vignette style tested on exam day.

Cardiology

1. Which valve is most commonly affected in rheumatic heart disease?

A) Aortic valve
B) Mitral valve ✅
C) Tricuspid valve
D) Pulmonary valve

Endocrinology

2. A patient presents with truncal obesity, a "moon" face, a dorsal fat pad, and purple abdominal striae. This clinical picture is most consistent with:

A) Addison's disease
B) Cushing's syndrome ✅
C) Acromegaly
D) Hypothyroidism

Gastroenterology

3. The most common overall cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is:

A) Oesophageal varices
B) Peptic ulcer disease ✅
C) Mallory-Weiss tear
D) Gastric malignancy

Respiratory Medicine

4. A barrel-shaped chest, pursed-lip breathing, and prolonged expiration on examination are classic findings in:

A) Pulmonary fibrosis
B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ✅
C) Pneumothorax
D) Pleural effusion

Haematology

5. Microcytic, hypochromic anaemia with a low serum ferritin is most consistent with:

A) Anaemia of chronic disease
B) Iron deficiency anaemia ✅
C) Thalassaemia trait
D) Megaloblastic anaemia

Why Medicine Deserves Priority in Your NLE Prep

Medicine and Surgery together account for exactly half the NLE theory paper, which is why our NLE exam guide recommends focusing here first. Medicine rewards broad clinical pattern recognition across cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine and haematology — areas that repeat across sessions in slightly different clinical dress.

HighYield's NLE question bank covers Medicine alongside every discipline on the theory paper, including a dedicated General Medicine subject bank, with every question explained. Start with your first questions free, no sign-in required.