NBME Form 26 Exam Practice Test 2026 | High-Yield
Concepts | Study Guide
1. What type of skin finding is associated with defects in anchoring fibrils in
newborns?
Thickened skin
Blisters
Easy bruising
Eczematous rash
Inability to sweat
2. Describe the relationship between a competent mitral valve and left atrium
pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve causes the left atrium pressure to fluctuate
during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve prevents backflow, leading to a decrease
in left atrium pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve allows backflow, causing an increase in left
atrium pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve has no effect on left atrium pressure during
ventricular systole.
3. Describe the significance of a positive direct Coombs test in the context of
autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
A positive direct Coombs test indicates a deficiency in vitamin B12.
A positive direct Coombs test suggests a bacterial infection in the
bloodstream.
, A positive direct Coombs test shows that the body is producing too
many red blood cells.
A positive direct Coombs test indicates the presence of antibodies
bound to red blood cells, which is a hallmark of AIHA.
4. When severe aortic stenosis is present, the left ventricle usually has:
walls with decreased echogenicity
thick walls
thin walls
normal walls
5. What is a common complication of severe mitral regurgitation after a
myocardial infarction?
Pulmonary edema
Ventricular septal defect
Cardiac tamponade
Aortic dissection
6. AIHA is diagnosed by detection of autoantibodies with the direct antiglobulin
(direct Coombs) test. A positive reaction to which of the following suggests
the presence of warm antibody hemolytic anemia?
Free antibodies in plasma
IgM bound to RBCs
IgG bound to RBCs
C3 bound to RBCs
, 7. A 65-year old presents with a long history of progressive dyspnea, fatigue,
and orthopnea. Last month he also noticed swelling of his extremities and
vague abdominal discomfort. On physical, the patient appears ill and
cachectic. He may have constrictive pericarditis. On physical exam, what one
universal feature is almost always present in this disorder?
Loud S1
Ascites
Elevated jugular venous pressure
Jaundice
8. During isovolumic contraction in the cardiac cycle
All of the valves are closed
Blood is flowing from the LV to the aorta
End systolic volume is reached
The QRS occurs
9. A 70-year-old male has experienced increasing fatigue for the past 6 months.
On physical exam, he has non-tender axillary and cervical lymphadenopathy,
but there is no hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory tests reveal hemoglobin 9.5
g/dL (normal 13.5-17.5 g/dL); hematocrit 28% (normal 41-53%); platelet count
120,000/mm3 (normal 150,000 - 400,000/mm3); and WBC count 42,000/mm3
(normal 4,000 - 12,000/mm3). His peripheral blood smear show a population
of small, round, mature looking lymphocytes. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
Hodgkin lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Concepts | Study Guide
1. What type of skin finding is associated with defects in anchoring fibrils in
newborns?
Thickened skin
Blisters
Easy bruising
Eczematous rash
Inability to sweat
2. Describe the relationship between a competent mitral valve and left atrium
pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve causes the left atrium pressure to fluctuate
during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve prevents backflow, leading to a decrease
in left atrium pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve allows backflow, causing an increase in left
atrium pressure during ventricular systole.
A competent mitral valve has no effect on left atrium pressure during
ventricular systole.
3. Describe the significance of a positive direct Coombs test in the context of
autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
A positive direct Coombs test indicates a deficiency in vitamin B12.
A positive direct Coombs test suggests a bacterial infection in the
bloodstream.
, A positive direct Coombs test shows that the body is producing too
many red blood cells.
A positive direct Coombs test indicates the presence of antibodies
bound to red blood cells, which is a hallmark of AIHA.
4. When severe aortic stenosis is present, the left ventricle usually has:
walls with decreased echogenicity
thick walls
thin walls
normal walls
5. What is a common complication of severe mitral regurgitation after a
myocardial infarction?
Pulmonary edema
Ventricular septal defect
Cardiac tamponade
Aortic dissection
6. AIHA is diagnosed by detection of autoantibodies with the direct antiglobulin
(direct Coombs) test. A positive reaction to which of the following suggests
the presence of warm antibody hemolytic anemia?
Free antibodies in plasma
IgM bound to RBCs
IgG bound to RBCs
C3 bound to RBCs
, 7. A 65-year old presents with a long history of progressive dyspnea, fatigue,
and orthopnea. Last month he also noticed swelling of his extremities and
vague abdominal discomfort. On physical, the patient appears ill and
cachectic. He may have constrictive pericarditis. On physical exam, what one
universal feature is almost always present in this disorder?
Loud S1
Ascites
Elevated jugular venous pressure
Jaundice
8. During isovolumic contraction in the cardiac cycle
All of the valves are closed
Blood is flowing from the LV to the aorta
End systolic volume is reached
The QRS occurs
9. A 70-year-old male has experienced increasing fatigue for the past 6 months.
On physical exam, he has non-tender axillary and cervical lymphadenopathy,
but there is no hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory tests reveal hemoglobin 9.5
g/dL (normal 13.5-17.5 g/dL); hematocrit 28% (normal 41-53%); platelet count
120,000/mm3 (normal 150,000 - 400,000/mm3); and WBC count 42,000/mm3
(normal 4,000 - 12,000/mm3). His peripheral blood smear show a population
of small, round, mature looking lymphocytes. Which of the following is the
most likely diagnosis?
Hodgkin lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
