GAMSAT Questions Resources
Section 1(Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences) Passages & Questions
Passage 1
Having a family member hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) causes overwhelming stress and distress (1). Over the last decade, ICU physicians and nurses have created the concept of family-centered care (2), in which close attention is given to meeting the informational and emotional needs of family members. Family-centered care has been studied in the overall population of ICU patient families (3eC5) and in the subset of families of dying patients (6eC8).
One of the goals of family-centered care is to reduce the risk of stress reactions to the traumatic ICU experience. The possibility that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop in family members of ICU patients is of special concern. PTSD was individualized in 1980 based on investigations of symptoms reported by veterans of the Vietnam War. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) expanded the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, which is now a well recognized clinical entity (9). Many tools have been developed for identifying PTSD or symptoms of post-traumatic stress reaction associated with a high risk of PTSD (10eC12). In a study using one of these tools, the Impact of Event Scale, symptoms indicating a high risk of PTSD were common among family members of patients discharged alive from the ICU (11). Knowledge of factors associated with the risk of PTSD would be useful for designing family-care strategies capable of protecting families against the development of stress-related morbidity. Studies have shown that improvements are needed regarding interactions with family members of dying ICU patients (13eC15). However, stress-related symptoms in family members after ICU management of a relative have not been evaluated in a large cohort and risk factors for such symptoms have not been sought.
We conducted a longitudinal study to assess possible stress-related morbidity among family members 90 days after ICU discharge or death of a relative, with special attention to symptoms indicating a risk of PTSD. Families were recruited in 21 ICUs. During a telephone interview, each family member completed the Impact of Event Scale, which measures symptoms associated with a risk of PTSD; the 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). Risk factors for post-traumatic stress symptoms were sought. We found that clinically meaningful post-traumatic stress reaction was common and was the strongest risk factor was sharing in end-of-life decisions for the relative in the ICU.
Number of Question: 3
Question 1: For the author the “confusion” described as the start of the second paragraph
A. Encompasses similarities between the work of Liszt and Strauss
B. Describes a confusion which exists in their respective styles of composition
C. Describes Liszt’s confusion at Strauss’ composition style
D. Describes Strauss’s confusion at Liszt’s composition style
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The passage is clearly attempting to compare the influence of Liszt upon Strauss and how this translated into similarities in the style. For this reason "Encompasses similarities between the work of Liszt and Strauss" is the correct answer. There is no evidence to support option "Describes a confusion which exists in their respective styles of composition". Also there is no discussion of the respective attitudes of both Liszt and Strauss towards each other’s work. Eliminate "Describes Liszt’s confusion at Strauss’ composition style" and "Describes Strauss’s confusion at Liszt’s composition style".
Question 2: According to the passage a tone poem must conform to
A. A established cycle of twelve single-movement orchestral pieces
B. A style which is poetical
C. A general style of music popular in the 19th century
D. Set publishing standards of the 19ᵗʰ century
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: There is discussion of the desire to produce poetical music. This is described in a generalised manner however and is defined in specific terms by lists orchestral output. There is no discussing of publishing or general music style of the period. For this reason "A established cycle of twelve single-movement orchestral pieces" is the correct answer.
Question 3: The relationship of Strauss to Liszt was
A. That of the student following on from the originator
B. That of a thief stealing from a master composer
C. That of a composer who admired the work of another composer
D. That of a mimic and his subject
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The passage makes clear reference to the fact that Strauss was heavily influenced by Liszt and studied him assiduously. This would be most consistent with "That of the student following on from the originator". There is no derogatory discussion of the relationship, precluding "That of a thief stealing from a master composer" as well is "That of a mimic and his subject". The description in "That of a composer who admired the work of another composer" is overgeneralised.
Section 3 (Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences) Passages & Questions
Passage 1
Blood flow through the vascular system of the human body is controlled by several factors. The rate of flow, Q, is directly proportional to the pressure differential ∆P, between any two points in the system and inversely proportional to the resistance, R, of the system:
Q = ∆P/R
Equation 1
The resistance, R, is dependent on the length of the vessel, L, the viscosity of blood, 𝜂, and the vessel’s radius, r according to the equation
R=8Lr[SUP4]
Equation 2
Under normal conditions, vessel length and blood viscosity do not vary significantly. However, certain conditions can cause changes in blood content, thereby altering viscosity. Veins are generally more compliant than arteries due to their less muscular nature. The flow of blood through the major arteries can be approximated by the equations of ideal flow.
The net filtration pressure is the difference between the hydrostatic pressure of the blood in the capillaries, P꜀, and the hydrostatic pressure of tissue fluid outside the capillaries, Pᵢ. The oncotic pressure is the difference between the osmotic pressure of the capillaries, 𝝅꜀ (approximately 25 torr), and the osmotic pressure of the tissue fluids, 𝝅ᵢ (negligible). Whether fluid moves into or out of the capillary network depends on the magnitudes of the net filtration and oncotic pressures. The direction of fluid movement can be determined by calculating the following pressure differential:
∆P = (P꜀ + 𝝅ᵢ) - (Pᵢ + 𝝅꜀)
Equation 3
The sum in the first set of parentheses gives the pressure acting to move fluid out of the capillaries, while the sum in the second set of parentheses gives the pressure acting to move fluid into the capillaries.
Number of Question: 2
Question 1: The cross sectional area of the aorta is approximately 5 cm² and the total cross sectional area of the major arteries is 25 cm². If the speed of the blood in the aorta is 28 cm/sec, what is the average blood speed in the major arteries?
A. 4.5 cm/sec
B. 6 cm/sec
C. 12 cm/sec
D. 15 cm/sec
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Use the equation of continuity in the form A1𝝂1 = A2𝝂2. Substituting the given values, this equation becomes (4 cm²)(28 cm/sec) = (25 cm²)𝝂2, which gives 𝝂2 = 4.5 cm/sec.
Question 2: Blood flow to the various systems in the body is regulated by the dilation and constriction of the blood vessels. After a meal, the blood vessels supplying the digestive system dilate, increasing their radii by 55%. As a result of this blood vessel dilation, the flow of blood to the digestive system will:
A. Increase to 580% of the original flow
B. Increase to 200% of the original flow
C. Increase to 120% of the original flow
D. Decrease to 30% of the original flow
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Combining the first two equations given in the passage yields 𝙌 = 𝝅𝙧⁴∆P/(8𝜂L). [Note: This is called Poiseuille’s Law.] Thus, the flow rate 𝙌 is proportional to r⁴. So, if r increases by 55% - to 1.55r - then 𝙌 increases by a factor of (1.5)⁴ = (3/2)⁴ = 81/16 = 5 = 500%.