LATEST AEROSPACE MEDICINE
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
AMERICAN BOARD OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
| COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A 35-year-old commercial pilot reports episodes of
substernal chest pressure that occur during intense
emotional stress but resolve within 5 minutes. He has
no risk factors for coronary artery disease. Exercise
stress test is normal. Which is the most appropriate
FAA disposition?
A) Issue medical certificate without restriction
B) Issue medical certificate with a restriction for no
flying during emotional stress
C) Defer for cardiology evaluation and possible
coronary angiography
D) Deny medical certification
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain of uncertain etiology in an
airman requires definitive evaluation to exclude
coronary artery disease, regardless of stress test
results, due to risk of sudden incapacitation.
,2. A 28-year-old military pilot experiences acute
unilateral vision loss during a high-G maneuver.
Vision returns to normal after 30 seconds. Which is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
B) G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC)
C) Visual light intolerance (Greyout)
D) Barotrauma
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Transient unilateral vision loss during high
G-forces can result from transient central retinal
artery occlusion. G-LOC presents with complete loss
of consciousness, not isolated vision loss.
3. A 45-year-old air traffic controller reports
progressive difficulty distinguishing between green
and red lights on radar screens. Ishihara color plate
testing is abnormal. Which is the most appropriate
next step?
A) Immediate removal from air traffic control duties
B) Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) or Cone
Contrast Test
C) Referral to ophthalmology for retinal examination
D) Issue waiver with restriction for night duties only
,Correct answer: B
Rationale: Color vision deficiency requires further
testing with approved color vision tests (FALANT,
Cone Contrast Test, Optec 900) to determine if the
individual meets the standard for the specific job.
4. A 50-year-old airline captain reports awakening
with severe vertigo, nausea, and vomiting that
worsens with head movement. Dix-Hallpike testing
reproduces rotatory nystagmus. Which is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Vestibular neuritis
B) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
C) Meniere's disease
D) Acoustic neuroma
Correct answer: B
Rationale: BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo
in adults, triggered by head position changes, with
positive Dix-Hallpike test. It is self-limited but must be
resolved before return to flying.
5. A 30-year-old commercial pilot is found to have
well-controlled hypertension on lisinopril 10 mg daily.
, His blood pressure is 128/82 mmHg. Which is the
most appropriate FAA disposition?
A) Issue medical certificate without restriction
B) Issue medical certificate with a special issuance
(waiver) for hypertension on medication
C) Deny certification due to medication use
D) Require ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
before certification
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension controlled on a single ACE
inhibitor is generally acceptable with a special
issuance (waiver) after review of records. FAA
requires annual reporting.
6. A 25-year-old naval aviator experiences sudden-
onset severe ear pain and hearing loss during
descent in a non-pressurized aircraft. Otoscopy
shows a retracted, hemorrhagic tympanic
membrane. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Alternobaric vertigo
B) Aerosinusitis
C) Barotitis media (middle ear barotrauma)
D) Perilymph fistula
Correct answer: C
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
AMERICAN BOARD OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
| COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A 35-year-old commercial pilot reports episodes of
substernal chest pressure that occur during intense
emotional stress but resolve within 5 minutes. He has
no risk factors for coronary artery disease. Exercise
stress test is normal. Which is the most appropriate
FAA disposition?
A) Issue medical certificate without restriction
B) Issue medical certificate with a restriction for no
flying during emotional stress
C) Defer for cardiology evaluation and possible
coronary angiography
D) Deny medical certification
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain of uncertain etiology in an
airman requires definitive evaluation to exclude
coronary artery disease, regardless of stress test
results, due to risk of sudden incapacitation.
,2. A 28-year-old military pilot experiences acute
unilateral vision loss during a high-G maneuver.
Vision returns to normal after 30 seconds. Which is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
B) G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC)
C) Visual light intolerance (Greyout)
D) Barotrauma
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Transient unilateral vision loss during high
G-forces can result from transient central retinal
artery occlusion. G-LOC presents with complete loss
of consciousness, not isolated vision loss.
3. A 45-year-old air traffic controller reports
progressive difficulty distinguishing between green
and red lights on radar screens. Ishihara color plate
testing is abnormal. Which is the most appropriate
next step?
A) Immediate removal from air traffic control duties
B) Farnsworth Lantern Test (FALANT) or Cone
Contrast Test
C) Referral to ophthalmology for retinal examination
D) Issue waiver with restriction for night duties only
,Correct answer: B
Rationale: Color vision deficiency requires further
testing with approved color vision tests (FALANT,
Cone Contrast Test, Optec 900) to determine if the
individual meets the standard for the specific job.
4. A 50-year-old airline captain reports awakening
with severe vertigo, nausea, and vomiting that
worsens with head movement. Dix-Hallpike testing
reproduces rotatory nystagmus. Which is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Vestibular neuritis
B) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
C) Meniere's disease
D) Acoustic neuroma
Correct answer: B
Rationale: BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo
in adults, triggered by head position changes, with
positive Dix-Hallpike test. It is self-limited but must be
resolved before return to flying.
5. A 30-year-old commercial pilot is found to have
well-controlled hypertension on lisinopril 10 mg daily.
, His blood pressure is 128/82 mmHg. Which is the
most appropriate FAA disposition?
A) Issue medical certificate without restriction
B) Issue medical certificate with a special issuance
(waiver) for hypertension on medication
C) Deny certification due to medication use
D) Require ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
before certification
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension controlled on a single ACE
inhibitor is generally acceptable with a special
issuance (waiver) after review of records. FAA
requires annual reporting.
6. A 25-year-old naval aviator experiences sudden-
onset severe ear pain and hearing loss during
descent in a non-pressurized aircraft. Otoscopy
shows a retracted, hemorrhagic tympanic
membrane. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Alternobaric vertigo
B) Aerosinusitis
C) Barotitis media (middle ear barotrauma)
D) Perilymph fistula
Correct answer: C
