ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
Question 1. Which presentation is most characteristic of sepsis in the
emergency setting?
A) Hypotension, fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status
B) Bradycardia, hypothermia, and hypertension
C) Isolated hypotension without fever or infection signs
D) Chest pain with normal vitals
Answer: A
Explanation: Sepsis typically presents with hypotension, fever,
tachycardia, and altered mental status due to systemic infection causing
distributive shock.
Question 2. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute
appendicitis?
A) Obstruction of the lumen by fecaliths
,ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
B) Bacterial overgrowth
C) Viral infection
D) Autoimmune response
Answer: A
Explanation: Appendicitis is usually caused by luminal obstruction by
fecaliths, leading to inflammation and infection.
Question 3. In a patient with a suspected myocardial infarction, which
initial diagnostic test is most appropriate?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
C) Cardiac MRI
D) Cardiac catheterization
,ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: An ECG is the initial, rapid test to identify ischemic changes
in suspected MI.
Question 4. Which of the following is a key feature of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketonemia
B) Hypoglycemia and metabolic alkalosis
C) Hyperglycemia without ketosis
D) Elevated insulin levels
Answer: A
Explanation: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, anion gap
metabolic acidosis, and elevated ketone levels due to insulin deficiency.
, ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
Question 5. What is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal
bleeding in the emergency setting?
A) Peptic ulcer disease
B) Esophageal varices
C) Mallory-Weiss tear
D) Gastric carcinoma
Answer: A
Explanation: Peptic ulcers are the most common source of upper GI
bleeding, often due to H. pylori infection or NSAID use.
Question 6. Which airway management technique is preferred in a
patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
A) Conventional orotracheal intubation with manual inline stabilization
B) Nasotracheal intubation without stabilization
Question 1. Which presentation is most characteristic of sepsis in the
emergency setting?
A) Hypotension, fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status
B) Bradycardia, hypothermia, and hypertension
C) Isolated hypotension without fever or infection signs
D) Chest pain with normal vitals
Answer: A
Explanation: Sepsis typically presents with hypotension, fever,
tachycardia, and altered mental status due to systemic infection causing
distributive shock.
Question 2. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute
appendicitis?
A) Obstruction of the lumen by fecaliths
,ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
B) Bacterial overgrowth
C) Viral infection
D) Autoimmune response
Answer: A
Explanation: Appendicitis is usually caused by luminal obstruction by
fecaliths, leading to inflammation and infection.
Question 3. In a patient with a suspected myocardial infarction, which
initial diagnostic test is most appropriate?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
C) Cardiac MRI
D) Cardiac catheterization
,ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: An ECG is the initial, rapid test to identify ischemic changes
in suspected MI.
Question 4. Which of the following is a key feature of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketonemia
B) Hypoglycemia and metabolic alkalosis
C) Hyperglycemia without ketosis
D) Elevated insulin levels
Answer: A
Explanation: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, anion gap
metabolic acidosis, and elevated ketone levels due to insulin deficiency.
, ABEM ABEM Initial Exam
Question 5. What is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal
bleeding in the emergency setting?
A) Peptic ulcer disease
B) Esophageal varices
C) Mallory-Weiss tear
D) Gastric carcinoma
Answer: A
Explanation: Peptic ulcers are the most common source of upper GI
bleeding, often due to H. pylori infection or NSAID use.
Question 6. Which airway management technique is preferred in a
patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
A) Conventional orotracheal intubation with manual inline stabilization
B) Nasotracheal intubation without stabilization
