- 1. Breath From Salt by Bijal P. Trivedi is a compelling narrative that delves deep into the personal and medical journey of individuals battling cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Trivedi uses her adept storytelling skills to weave together the science of CF with poignant personal stories, bringing to light the struggles and triumphs faced by those living with the disease. Through the eyes of her characters, readers are invited into the intricacies of living with a chronic condition, exploring themes of hope, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of life in the face of adversity. The book not only sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges that accompany cystic fibrosis but also highlights the groundbreaking medical research and advancements that offer glimpses of hope for patients. Trivedi's work serves as both an informative resource and an empathetic portrayal of the human spirit, illustrating the delicate balance between despair and optimism in the fight against a complex illness. With its rich narrative and insightful perspective, Breath From Salt stands out as a significant contribution to the literature surrounding chronic illnesses, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the real-life implications of medical science on individual lives.
Who is the author of 'Breath From Salt'?
A) Siddhartha Mukherjee
B) Bijal P. Trivedi
C) Atul Gawande
D) Rebecca Skloot
- 2. What genetic disease is the main focus of the book?
A) Muscular dystrophy
B) Cystic fibrosis
C) Sickle cell anemia
D) Huntington's disease
- 3. What groundbreaking class of drugs does the book highlight for treating cystic fibrosis?
A) Immunosuppressants
B) Chemotherapy drugs
C) Antibiotics
D) CFTR modulators
- 4. Which company developed the first CFTR modulator, Kalydeco?
A) Johnson & Johnson
B) Merck
C) Vertex Pharmaceuticals
D) Pfizer
- 5. What does CFTR stand for in relation to cystic fibrosis?
A) Cellular Fibrosis Treatment Receptor
B) Chronic Fibrosis Tissue Repair
C) Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
D) Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutic Response
- 6. What year was the CFTR gene discovered?
A) 1975
B) 1995
C) 2001
D) 1989
- 7. What is the main function of the CFTR protein in healthy individuals?
A) Digesting proteins
B) Producing insulin
C) Regulating salt and water movement in cells
D) Carrying oxygen in blood
- 8. Which of these is a common symptom of cystic fibrosis mentioned in the book?
A) Thick mucus in lungs
B) High blood pressure
C) Vision loss
D) Skin rashes
- 9. What role did the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation play in drug development?
A) Conducted all clinical trials
B) Manufactured the drugs
C) Provided venture philanthropy funding
D) Discovered the CFTR gene
- 10. What year was Kalydeco approved by the FDA?
A) 2012
B) 2015
C) 2010
D) 2005
- 11. Which CFTR modulator is considered the most effective triple-combination therapy?
A) Trikafta
B) Kalydeco
C) Pulmozyme
D) Tobi
- 12. How do CFTR modulators primarily work?
A) Killing bacteria in lungs
B) Reducing inflammation
C) Replacing damaged lung tissue
D) Correcting defective CFTR protein function
- 13. What was the traditional mainstay of CF treatment before modulators?
A) Surgery only
B) Stem cell transplants
C) Airway clearance techniques and antibiotics
D) Gene therapy
- 14. Which organization's fundraising efforts are highlighted in the book?
A) American Cancer Society
B) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
C) March of Dimes
D) American Lung Association
- 15. What impact have CFTR modulators had on life expectancy?
A) Made it unpredictable
B) Slightly decreased it
C) Dramatically increased it
D) No significant change
- 16. What is a key theme in 'Breath From Salt'?
A) Government control of medical research
B) Collaboration between patients, doctors, and researchers
C) Alternative medicine superiority
D) Competition between pharmaceutical companies
- 17. What scientific breakthrough enabled targeted CF treatments?
A) Development of MRI technology
B) Understanding the protein structure and function
C) Discovery of antibiotics
D) Invention of the microscope
- 18. What is the most common mutation causing cystic fibrosis?
A) Huntingtin
B) Delta F508
C) BRCA1
D) APOE4
- 19. What organ system is most affected by cystic fibrosis?
A) Circulatory system
B) Skeletal system
C) Respiratory system
D) Nervous system
- 20. Approximately what percentage of CF patients can benefit from Trikafta?
A) 25%
B) 75%
C) 50%
D) 90%
- 21. What year was Trikafta approved by the FDA?
A) 2015
B) 2021
C) 2019
D) 2017
- 22. What is the main theme of 'Breath From Salt' regarding medical research?
A) Military medical research
B) Patient advocacy driving research
C) Accidental medical discoveries
D) Government-led medical breakthroughs
- 23. What common complication of CF involves the pancreas?
A) Pancreatic insufficiency
B) Pancreatitis
C) Type 1 diabetes
D) Pancreatic cancer
- 24. What is pulmonary function testing used for in CF patients?
A) Testing medication effectiveness
B) Diagnosing genetic mutations
C) Monitoring lung disease progression
D) Screening for infections
- 25. What common respiratory pathogen affects CF patients?
A) E. coli
B) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C) Streptococcus pyogenes
D) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- 26. What is the inheritance pattern of cystic fibrosis?
A) X-linked recessive
B) Mitochondrial
C) Autosomal dominant
D) Autosomal recessive
- 27. What was the first CFTR modulator approved by the FDA?
A) Tezacaftor
B) Lumacaftor
C) Ivacaftor (Kalydeco)
D) Elexacaftor
- 28. What is the main limitation of early CFTR modulators?
A) They only worked for specific mutations
B) They were too expensive to produce
C) They required frequent injections
D) They caused severe side effects
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