This comprehensive AAFP Family Medicine Board Review 2026 study guide contains more than 400 board-style questions, detailed answer explanations, and clinical illustrations designed to prepare candidates for Family Medicine board certification and recertification examinations. The material provides extensive coverage of core family medicine disciplines, including cardiology, hypertension management, heart failure, arrhythmias, vascular disease, pediatrics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, obstetrics, infectious diseases, preventive medicine, emergency medicine, and evidence-based clinical decision-making.
The document follows a high-yield question-and-answer format that mirrors the style and complexity of board examinations. Clinical scenarios emphasize diagnostic reasoning, guideline-based management, risk stratification, pharmacotherapy, and interpretation of common examination findings. Particular attention is given to cardiovascular medicine, including heart failure management, acute coronary syndromes, valvular heart disease, hypertension treatment strategies, anticoagulation therapy, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiac risk assessment.
Major topics covered include:
• Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy
• Hypertension Diagnosis and Management
• Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes
• Cardiac Arrhythmias and ECG Interpretation
• Peripheral Arterial and Venous Disease
• Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Valvular Heart Disease and Aortic Stenosis
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine and Screening Guidelines
• Obstetrics and Pregnancy Complications
• Endocrinology and Diabetes Management
• Thyroid Disorders and Metabolic Disease
• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Management
• Neonatology and Pediatric Emergencies
• Rheumatology and Autoimmune Disorders
• Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Evidence-Based Medicine and Board Review Concepts
The content integrates recommendations and concepts from major clinical authorities including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Diabetes Association (ADA), and other evidence-based clinical practice guidelines relevant to family medicine.
This study resource is especially valuable for:
• Family Medicine residents preparing for board examinations
• Practicing Family Physicians completing recertification requirements
• Medical students during Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Primary Care rotations
• Physician Assistants preparing for certification or recertification examinations
• Nurse Practitioners specializing in primary care or family practice
• International medical graduates preparing for U.S. clinical examinations
• Healthcare professionals seeking a comprehensive review of family medicine topics
The extensive collection of case-based questions promotes active recall, strengthens diagnostic accuracy, and reinforces the application of evidence-based clinical guidelines in everyday primary care practice. Its structured review format makes it suitable for self-study, examination preparation, clinical teaching sessions, and rapid revision before certification assessments.
References:
American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Medicine Board Review Resources.
American Heart Association (AHA). Guidelines for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease.
American College of Cardiology (ACC). Clinical Practice Guidelines and Consensus Statements.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services.
American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes.
McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. McGraw-Hill Education.
Rakel RE, Rakel DP. Textbook of Family Medicine. Elsevier.
Keywords:
AAFP Family Medicine Board Review, Family Medicine Certification Exam, Family Medicine Questions and Answers, Board Review Questions, Clinical Case Studies, Internal Medicine Review, Cardiology Board Review, Heart Failure Management, Hypertension Treatment, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Arrhythmia Management, ECG Interpretation, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Valvular Heart Disease, Aortic Stenosis, Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Medicine, Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy Complications, Diabetes Management, Endocrinology Review, Thyroid Disorders, Gastroenterology Review, Infectious Disease Management, Preventive Medicine, Evidence Based Medicine, Primary Care Review, Clinical Guidelines, Family Practice Examination, Medical Board Preparation, Physician Assistant Exam Review, Nurse Practitioner Review, Medical Education, Clinical Decision Making, Patient Management, Comprehensive Family Medicine
Content preview
AAFP Family Medicine Board
Questions 2026 Exam All
Answers and Illustrations
Given
A 70yo M with h/o HTN and DM presents with a 2-mo h/o increasing
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and SOB with minimal exertion. An
echocardiogram shows an ejection fraction of 25%. Which one of the
patients current medications should be discontinued?
A. Lisinopril (Zestril)
,B. Pioglitazone (Actos)
C. Glipizide (Glucotrol)
D. Metoprolol (Toprol-XL) - ANSWER ✔✔Pioglitzaone
thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are associated with fluid retention, and their
use can be complicated by the development of heart failure. Caution is
necessary when prescribing TZDs in patients with known heart failure or
other heart diseases, those with preexisting edema, and those on
concurrent insulin therapy
What is the most common cause of hypertension in children under 6
years of age? - ANSWER ✔✔Renal Parenchymal Disease
The most common cause of hypertension is renal parenchymal disease,
and a urinalysis, urine culture, and renal ultrasonography should be
ordered for all children presenting with hypertension.
A 72-year-old African-American male with New York Heart Association
Class III heart failure sees you for follow-up. He has shortness of breath
with minimal exertion. The patient is adherent to his medication regimen.
His current medications include lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), 40 mg twice
,daily; carvedilol (Coreg), 25 mg twice daily; and furosemide (Lasix), 80
mg daily. His blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg, and his pulse rate is 68
beats/min and regular. Findings include a few scattered bibasilar rales
on examination of the lungs, an S3 gallop on examination of the heart,
and no edema on examination of the legs. An EKG reveals a left bundle
branch block, and echocardiography reveals an ejection fraction of 25%,
but no other abnormalities. What's the appropriate next step? -
ANSWER ✔✔Refer for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
Note: he's already on maximum doses of ACEI, loop diuretic, beta-
blocker
Using a pacemaker-like device, CRT aims to get both ventricles
contracting simultaneously, overcoming the delayed contraction of the
left ventricle caused by the left bundle-branch block. These guidelines
were refined by an April 2005 AHA Science Advisory, which stated that
optimal candidates for CRT have a dilated cardiomyopathy on an
ischemic or nonischemic basis, an LVEF ≤0.35, a QRS complex ≥120
msec, and sinus rhythm, and are NYHA functional class III or IV despite
maximal medical therapy for heart failure.
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3
, What dietary change recommended for the prevention and treatment of
cardiovascular disease has been shown to decrease the rate of sudden
death? - ANSWER ✔✔increase intake of omega 3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fats contribute to the production of eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which inhibit the inflammatory
immune response and platelet aggregation, are mild vasodilators, and
may have antiarrhythmic properties. The American Heart Association
guidelines state that omega-3 supplements may be recommended to
patients with preexisting disease, a high risk of disease, or high
triglyceride levels, as well as to patients who do not like or are allergic to
fish. The Italian GISSI study found that the use of 850 mg of EPA and
DHA daily resulted in decreased rates of mortality, nonfatal myocardial
infarction, and stroke, with particular decreases in the rate of sudden
death.
A 75-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a
several-hour history of back pain in the interscapular region. His medical
history includes a previous myocardial infarction (MI) several years ago,
a history of cigarette smoking until the time of the MI, and hypertension
that is well controlled with hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril (Prinivil,
Zestril). The patient appears anxious, but all pulses are intact. His blood