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Free Practice Questions for UHS DES Entrance Exam

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Key Facts: UHS DES Entrance Exam Exam

9 Feb 2026

UHS posted the official DES candidate-selection notice for academic year 2026–2027

https://www.uhs.edu.kh/announcement?view=new&id=2333

21 specialties

UHS Prospectus 2023 describes DES as 21 specialties lasting 3 to 4 years after Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Year 6) or MD plus the entry exam

https://www.uhs.edu.kh/registrar/new_pdf/1732675365_UHS%20Prospectus%202023_B_14112023_1400.pdf

Free 100-question English MCQ practice for the UHS specialized medical doctor (DES) entrance sitting. Independent study aid, not an official UHS paper.

Sample UHS DES Entrance Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the UHS DES Entrance Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 28-year-old man with nephrotic syndrome develops pitting edema of the legs and sacral area. Plasma albumin is 1.8 g/dL. Which Starling force change best explains the edema?
A.Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure from lymphatic obstruction
B.Decreased plasma colloid osmotic pressure from hypoalbuminemia
C.Increased plasma colloid osmotic pressure from hyperproteinemia
D.Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure from arteriolar vasoconstriction
Explanation: Plasma proteins, mainly albumin, generate colloid osmotic pressure that holds fluid in the vascular space. In nephrotic-range proteinuria, albumin falls and plasma oncotic pressure falls, so fluid filters into the interstitium and edema forms. This is the same Starling imbalance seen in other hypoalbuminemic states such as cirrhosis with synthetic failure.
2Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower blood pressure mainly by which mechanism?
A.Blocking conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and reducing aldosterone-mediated sodium retention
B.Directly blocking beta-1 receptors in the sinoatrial node
C.Inhibiting the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending limb
D.Stimulating alpha-1 receptors on arteriolar smooth muscle
Explanation: ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II constricts arterioles and stimulates aldosterone, which retains sodium. ACE inhibitors therefore reduce vasoconstriction and aldosterone-driven salt retention, lowering blood pressure. Cough and angioedema can occur because ACE also degrades bradykinin.
3Lidocaine and other class I antiarrhythmics slow phase 0 of the cardiac ventricular action potential by blocking which ion channel?
A.L-type calcium channels
B.Inward rectifier potassium channels
C.Fast voltage-gated sodium channels
D.Funny current (If) HCN channels in the sinus node
Explanation: Phase 0 of the ventricular myocyte action potential is the rapid upstroke produced by voltage-gated sodium influx. Class I agents bind these channels and slow conduction. Calcium-channel blockade affects the plateau and nodal tissue; If blockade slows sinus rate rather than ventricular phase 0.
4In a febrile patient with lactic acidosis, the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve shifts to the right. What is the physiologic effect of that shift?
A.Hemoglobin binds oxygen more tightly in the lungs and releases less in tissues
B.Carbon monoxide occupies heme sites and reduces oxygen-carrying capacity without a right shift
C.2,3-BPG falls and the curve moves left, impairing unloading
D.Hemoglobin affinity for oxygen falls, facilitating oxygen unloading in peripheral tissues
Explanation: A right shift (raised temperature, raised 2,3-BPG, raised PCO2, acidosis — the Bohr effect) decreases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen so more O2 is released at a given tissue PO2. This is an adaptive response in fever and acidosis. A left shift would impair unloading.
5Which change would be expected to decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR) most directly?
A.Afferent arteriolar dilation with unchanged efferent tone
B.Constriction of the afferent arteriole
C.Moderate efferent arteriolar constriction
D.An isolated rise in renal plasma flow with unchanged filtration fraction
Explanation: GFR depends on glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure. Afferent constriction reduces blood entering the glomerular capillaries, lowers that pressure, and falls GFR. Afferent dilation and modest efferent constriction raise glomerular pressure and tend to raise GFR.
6Oral glyceryl trinitrate is poorly effective compared with sublingual use mainly because of which pharmacokinetic process?
A.Extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism after intestinal absorption
B.Renal tubular secretion that clears the drug before it reaches the heart
C.Binding to plasma albumin that inactivates all circulating nitrate
D.Failure of sublingual mucosa to absorb lipophilic drugs
Explanation: Drugs absorbed from the gut enter the portal vein and pass through the liver before systemic circulation. Organic nitrates undergo extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism, so little active drug remains after swallowing. Sublingual administration bypasses the portal circulation and produces a rapid systemic effect.
7Warfarin anticoagulation is monitored with the INR because the drug inhibits vitamin K–dependent gamma-carboxylation of which clotting factors?
A.Factors VIII, IX, XI, and XII
B.Factors I, V, VIII, and XIII
C.Factors II, VII, IX, and X (and proteins C and S)
D.Factors III, IV, VI, and von Willebrand factor
Explanation: Vitamin K is required to gamma-carboxylate factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X, plus the anticoagulant proteins C and S. Warfarin inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase, so these factors are produced in inactive form. Factor VII has the shortest half-life, so the PT/INR prolongs first.
8A boy has hemarthroses and a prolonged aPTT that corrects with mixing. His sister is unaffected; his maternal uncle had the same bleeding pattern. Which inheritance pattern is most likely?
A.Autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance
B.Mitochondrial maternal inheritance
C.Autosomal recessive enzyme deficiency
D.X-linked recessive (factor VIII or IX deficiency)
Explanation: Hemophilia A (factor VIII) and hemophilia B (factor IX) are X-linked recessive. Affected males inherit the mutant X from carrier mothers; sisters are usually unaffected carriers; maternal uncles may be affected. Mixing correction shows a factor deficiency rather than an inhibitor.
9An arterial blood gas shows pH 7.25, PaCO2 60 mm Hg (8.0 kPa), and HCO3− 26 mmol/L. Which acid–base disorder is present?
A.Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
B.Acute respiratory acidosis
C.Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
D.Acute respiratory alkalosis
Explanation: Low pH with a high PaCO2 is respiratory acidosis. In an acute (uncompensated) process, bicarbonate remains near normal because renal compensation has not yet generated more HCO3−. A primary metabolic acidosis would show a low bicarbonate as the initiating change.
10A 22-year-old with Kussmaul respirations has Na+ 138 mmol/L, Cl− 102 mmol/L, and HCO3− 8 mmol/L. What is the serum anion gap, and how is it interpreted?
A.28 mmol/L, consistent with a high anion gap metabolic acidosis
B.12 mmol/L, a normal gap, so this must be hyperchloremic acidosis from diarrhea
C.40 mmol/L, diagnostic of mixed high-gap and normal-gap acidosis
D.8 mmol/L, a low gap suggesting hypoalbuminemia as the sole diagnosis
Explanation: The commonly used serum anion gap is Na+ − (Cl− + HCO3−). Here 138 − (102 + 8) = 28 mmol/L, well above the usual reference near 8–12 mmol/L. A high gap with a very low bicarbonate indicates accumulation of unmeasured anions, as in diabetic ketoacidosis, lactate, or certain toxins.

About the UHS DES Entrance Exam Exam

The University of Health Sciences posted an official notice on 9 February 2026 for the competitive examination selecting candidates into specialized medical doctor (DES / វេជ្ជបណ្ឌិតឯកទេស) programmes for academic year 2026–2027. UHS Prospectus 2023 describes DES as 21 specialties lasting 3 to 4 years, with entry after Bachelor of Medical Sciences (Year 6) or MD plus the entry exam. Named specialty areas in that prospectus include internal medicine, cardiology, hepato-gastro-enterology, pneumology, oncology, diabetology-endocrinology, dermatology, pediatrics, psychiatry, anesthesiology, intensive care and emergency medicine, radiology and medical imaging, neurosurgery, general and digestive surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat, and pathology. Official item count, duration, fee, and pass mark are unpublished on the announcement page. This free bank is independent OpenExamPrep English MCQ study for graduate-doctor knowledge used in that selection, not an official UHS paper.

Exam sponsor: University of Health Sciences (UHS / សាកលវិទ្យាល័យវិទ្យាសាស្ត្រសុខាភិបាល). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Competitive selection sitting administered by the University of Health Sciences for Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées (DES) specialist-doctor programmes. Official 2026–2027 notice is in Khmer (posted 9 February 2026). UHS Prospectus 2023 lists 21 specialties with programme duration of 3 to 4 years. This 100-question bank is an independent English MCQ study adaptation, not an official UHS paper.

Time Limit

Not published on the 9 February 2026 announcement page

Passing Score

Competitive selection; no numeric cut score published on the announcement page

Exam / Certification Fees

Not published on the 9 February 2026 announcement page

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Official weight unpublished (15 practice questions)

Biomedical foundations

Physiology, pharmacology, and scientific foundations.

Official weight unpublished (25 practice questions)

Internal medicine

Adult medical conditions including infections of public-health importance in Cambodia.

Official weight unpublished (20 practice questions)

Surgery, trauma, and emergency

Acute surgical and emergency recognition.

Official weight unpublished (20 practice questions)

Obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics

Maternal, newborn, and child presentations.

Official weight unpublished (10 practice questions)

Diagnostics, imaging, and laboratories

Investigation selection and interpretation.

Official weight unpublished (10 practice questions)

Public health, ethics, and professionalism

Population health, infection control, and professional conduct.

Preparing for the UHS DES Entrance Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Competitive selection; no numeric cut score published on the announcement page
  • Assessment: Competitive selection sitting administered by the University of Health Sciences for Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées (DES) specialist-doctor programmes. Official 2026–2027 notice is in Khmer (posted 9 February 2026). UHS Prospectus 2023 lists 21 specialties with programme duration of 3 to 4 years. This 100-question bank is an independent English MCQ study adaptation, not an official UHS paper.
  • Time limit: Not published on the 9 February 2026 announcement page
  • Exam / certification fees: Not published on the 9 February 2026 announcement page Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

UHS DES Entrance Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Review internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and paediatrics at MD depth rather than Bac II science.
2Use the current-year UHS notice for dates, documents, and any specialty quotas; those logistics are not guessed here.
3Review Khmer clinical terms because the official announcement and sitting materials are in Khmer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as the national health-sciences entrance exam?

No. The NECHS national entrance examination (kh-nechs-entrance) is the Bac II-level concours for undergraduate health programmes. The UHS DES sitting selects already-trained doctors into specialist programmes.

Does this bank replace the official Khmer DES paper?

No. The official 2026–2027 notice is a UHS Khmer announcement. These English MCQs are independent study, not an official translation or format simulation.