Family Medicine Board Exam Questions
and Answers | Verified 2026–2027
Comprehensive Review for Physicians,
Residents & Medical Students
A 30-year-old male comes to your office for evaluation of hand weakness. On
examination you
detect weakness when he tries to bring his thumb and index finger together. For
confirmation
you ask him to try to hold on to a piece of paper between his thumb and index
finger while you
try to pull it away. He is unable to resist when you pull on the paper.
The most likely explanation for these findings is an injury to the - ANSWER-e -
ulnar nerve
Initial general neurovascular assessment of an upper extremity injury includes
evaluating for radial pulse
and digit movement and sensation. Weakness of the thumb and index finger
pincer mechanism is indicative
of an ulnar nerve injury. Weakness in the shoulder or upper arm would indicate a
potential brachial plexus
injury. Symptoms related to the median nerve generally include paresthesia of the
thumb, index finger,
,and long finger. Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a potential
musculocutaneous nerve
injury. Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential radial nerve
injury.
Weakness of the thumb and index finger pincer mechanism is indicative
of an _________ nerve injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of the thumb and index finger
pincer mechanism is indicative
of an *ulnar* nerve injury.
Symptoms related to the __________ nerve generally include paresthesia of the
thumb, index finger, and long finger. - ANSWER-Symptoms related to the
*median* nerve generally include paresthesia of the thumb, index finger,
and long finger.
Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a potential ________ nerve
injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a
potential * musculocutaneous* nerve
injury.
Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential ________ nerve
injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential
*radial* nerve injury.
A 30-year-old male is diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. Periodic
therapeutic phlebotomy may be appropriate to prevent
,A) chronic liver disease B) chronic renal disease C) encephalopathy D)
myelofibrosis E) Wilson disease - ANSWER-A) chronic liver disease
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a common inherited disorder of iron metabolism.
Iron deposits in the liver
may lead to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. Screening for
hereditary hemochromatosis
includes serum ferritin levels, a family history, and genetic testing. Chronic renal
disease, encephalopathy,
myelofibrosis, and Wilson disease (disorder of copper transport) do not result
from iron overload.
A 70-year-old female sees you for a Medicare annual wellness visit. Her past
medical history includes hypertension treated with enalapril (Vasotec). She states
that she "couldn't be better" and says that she has no new symptoms or health
concerns. She has a blood pressure of 159/90 mm Hg, a temperature of 36.7°C
(98.1°F), a heart rate of 76 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 17/min, and an oxygen
saturation of 98% on room air. On examination you note a new harsh systolic
murmur that is heard best at the second right intercostal space and can also be
heard over the right carotid artery. A transthoracic echocardiogram reveals severe
aortic stenosis. Which one of the following should you recommend for this
patient? A) Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures B) Transesophageal
echocardiography C) Repeat echocardiography in 6 months D) Referral for aortic
valve replacement - ANSWER-ANSWER: C
This patient has severe aortic stenosis that is asymptomatic. Watchful waiting is
recommended for most
, asymptomatic patients. In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis,
monitoring with serial
echocardiography is recommended every 6-12 months. Antibiotic prophylaxis is
not indicated unless the
patient has undergone aortic valve replacement or has a history of endocarditis.
Transesophageal
echocardiography is not indicated in this situation. Aortic valve replacement is
indicated to decrease
mortality in patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis.
After a thorough history and examination you determine that a 30-year-old male
has an upper respiratory infection with a persistent cough. He is afebrile and is
otherwise healthy. The best treatment for symptomatic relief of his persistent
cough would be intranasal A) antibiotics B) antihistamines C) corticosteroids D)
ipratropium (Atrovent) E) saline - ANSWER-ANSWER: D - ipratropium (Atrovent)
Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common acute illness in the
United States. Symptoms are
self-limited and can include nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough,
general malaise, and a
low-grade fever. According to a Cochrane review of 10 trials without a meta-
analysis, antitussives and
expectorants are no more effective than placebo for cough.
Intranasal ipratropium is the only medication
that improves persistent cough related to upper respiratory infection in adults.
and Answers | Verified 2026–2027
Comprehensive Review for Physicians,
Residents & Medical Students
A 30-year-old male comes to your office for evaluation of hand weakness. On
examination you
detect weakness when he tries to bring his thumb and index finger together. For
confirmation
you ask him to try to hold on to a piece of paper between his thumb and index
finger while you
try to pull it away. He is unable to resist when you pull on the paper.
The most likely explanation for these findings is an injury to the - ANSWER-e -
ulnar nerve
Initial general neurovascular assessment of an upper extremity injury includes
evaluating for radial pulse
and digit movement and sensation. Weakness of the thumb and index finger
pincer mechanism is indicative
of an ulnar nerve injury. Weakness in the shoulder or upper arm would indicate a
potential brachial plexus
injury. Symptoms related to the median nerve generally include paresthesia of the
thumb, index finger,
,and long finger. Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a potential
musculocutaneous nerve
injury. Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential radial nerve
injury.
Weakness of the thumb and index finger pincer mechanism is indicative
of an _________ nerve injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of the thumb and index finger
pincer mechanism is indicative
of an *ulnar* nerve injury.
Symptoms related to the __________ nerve generally include paresthesia of the
thumb, index finger, and long finger. - ANSWER-Symptoms related to the
*median* nerve generally include paresthesia of the thumb, index finger,
and long finger.
Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a potential ________ nerve
injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of supination of the forearm would indicate a
potential * musculocutaneous* nerve
injury.
Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential ________ nerve
injury. - ANSWER-Weakness of active wrist extension would indicate a potential
*radial* nerve injury.
A 30-year-old male is diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. Periodic
therapeutic phlebotomy may be appropriate to prevent
,A) chronic liver disease B) chronic renal disease C) encephalopathy D)
myelofibrosis E) Wilson disease - ANSWER-A) chronic liver disease
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a common inherited disorder of iron metabolism.
Iron deposits in the liver
may lead to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. Screening for
hereditary hemochromatosis
includes serum ferritin levels, a family history, and genetic testing. Chronic renal
disease, encephalopathy,
myelofibrosis, and Wilson disease (disorder of copper transport) do not result
from iron overload.
A 70-year-old female sees you for a Medicare annual wellness visit. Her past
medical history includes hypertension treated with enalapril (Vasotec). She states
that she "couldn't be better" and says that she has no new symptoms or health
concerns. She has a blood pressure of 159/90 mm Hg, a temperature of 36.7°C
(98.1°F), a heart rate of 76 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 17/min, and an oxygen
saturation of 98% on room air. On examination you note a new harsh systolic
murmur that is heard best at the second right intercostal space and can also be
heard over the right carotid artery. A transthoracic echocardiogram reveals severe
aortic stenosis. Which one of the following should you recommend for this
patient? A) Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures B) Transesophageal
echocardiography C) Repeat echocardiography in 6 months D) Referral for aortic
valve replacement - ANSWER-ANSWER: C
This patient has severe aortic stenosis that is asymptomatic. Watchful waiting is
recommended for most
, asymptomatic patients. In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis,
monitoring with serial
echocardiography is recommended every 6-12 months. Antibiotic prophylaxis is
not indicated unless the
patient has undergone aortic valve replacement or has a history of endocarditis.
Transesophageal
echocardiography is not indicated in this situation. Aortic valve replacement is
indicated to decrease
mortality in patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis.
After a thorough history and examination you determine that a 30-year-old male
has an upper respiratory infection with a persistent cough. He is afebrile and is
otherwise healthy. The best treatment for symptomatic relief of his persistent
cough would be intranasal A) antibiotics B) antihistamines C) corticosteroids D)
ipratropium (Atrovent) E) saline - ANSWER-ANSWER: D - ipratropium (Atrovent)
Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common acute illness in the
United States. Symptoms are
self-limited and can include nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough,
general malaise, and a
low-grade fever. According to a Cochrane review of 10 trials without a meta-
analysis, antitussives and
expectorants are no more effective than placebo for cough.
Intranasal ipratropium is the only medication
that improves persistent cough related to upper respiratory infection in adults.
