ABFM IN TRAINING EXAM PEARLS
2026/2027 | COMPLETE EXAM PREP |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), what meds, and what do you have check first? -
correct answer-Emtricitabine/tenofovir
gotta check Hep B first
-apparently they kill hep B too, so if you suddenly stop the med, then reactivated
hep B can lead to liver disease
entry to balloon time for PCI! - correct answer-120 minutes
time limit from onset of MI to balloon time - correct answer-should get it done
w/in 12 hours
Absolute contraindications to Fibrinolysis - correct answer-Previous hemorrhage
stroke
Previous ischemic stroke (4.5hrs-3months prior)
Suspected aortic dissection
Active bleeding (except menstruation)
BP >180/110 (severe hypertension)
,Streptokinase 6 months prior
acute cholecystitis - correct answer-Acute inflammation of the gallbladder wall
Patient with pulmonary HTN due to left heart failure, can they have vasodilators
(PDE5?) - correct answer-NO! can make things worse
-maximize heart failure treatment!
Sever's Diseaese - correct answer-Calcaneal apophysitis, also called Sever's
disease, is a common cause of heel pain in young athletes, especially those who
participate in basketball, soccer, track, and other sports that involve running.
Typically the heel apophysis closes by age 15. Treatment options include activity
modification, the use of ice packs and/or moist heat, stretching, analgesics, and
orthotic devices. The use of therapeutic ultrasound on the active bone growth
plates in children is contraindicated.
in pressure ulcers what solutions to avoid, and what to use! - correct answer-
recommended that pressure ulcers not be cleaned with povidone/iodine, Dakin's
solution, hydrogen peroxide, wet-to-dry dressings, or any solutions that may
impede granulation tissue formation. These sites should be cleaned with either
saline or tap water and covered with hydrocolloid, foam, or another nonadherent
dressing that promotes a moist environment.
Chronic paraoxysmal hemicrania - correct answer-resembles cluster headache
but has some important differences. Like cluster headaches, these headaches are
unilateral and accompanied by conjunctival hyperemia and rhinorrhea. However,
these headaches are more frequent in women, and the paroxysms occur many
times each day. This type of headache falls into a group of headaches that have
been labeled indomethacin-responsive headaches because they respond
dramatically to *indomethacin.*
, normal spirometry but low DLCO - correct answer-chronic pulmonary embolus
Antibiotic ppx for dental procedures - correct answer-give amoxicillin only if prior
endocarditis, prosthetic valve, heart txp, or severe or repaired congenital heart
-if allergic to penicillin, then give clinda!!
when to refer patient with CKD to nephrology - correct answer-Current guidelines
recommend referral to a nephrologist if a patient's renal disease is either of
unknown etiology, is deteriorating quickly (eGFR decreasing by >5 mL/min/1.73
m2 per year), or is severe. Thresholds used to define severe chronic kidney
disease include an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, a urine albumin to creatinine ratio
>300 g/mg, persistent acidosis or potassium imbalance, non-iron deficiency
anemia with a hemoglobin level <10 g/dL, and evidence of secondary
hyperparathyroidism.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy - correct answer-common treatable causes of
peripheral neuropathy, which include *diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and
nutritional deficiencies*. Additional causes of peripheral neuropathy include
*chronic liver disease and renal disease*. It is important to consider medications
as a possible cause, including *amiodarone, digoxin, nitrofurantoin, and statins.
Excessive alcohol* use is another important consideration. In addition think
*MGUS, and Multiple Myeloma*
Failure rates of contraception - correct answer-The annual failure rate of
combined oral contraceptive pills with typical use is 9%. Typical failure rates for
other contraceptive methods are 0.2% for the levonorgestrel IUD, 6% for
injectable progestin, 18% for male condoms, and 22% for the withdrawal method.
2026/2027 | COMPLETE EXAM PREP |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), what meds, and what do you have check first? -
correct answer-Emtricitabine/tenofovir
gotta check Hep B first
-apparently they kill hep B too, so if you suddenly stop the med, then reactivated
hep B can lead to liver disease
entry to balloon time for PCI! - correct answer-120 minutes
time limit from onset of MI to balloon time - correct answer-should get it done
w/in 12 hours
Absolute contraindications to Fibrinolysis - correct answer-Previous hemorrhage
stroke
Previous ischemic stroke (4.5hrs-3months prior)
Suspected aortic dissection
Active bleeding (except menstruation)
BP >180/110 (severe hypertension)
,Streptokinase 6 months prior
acute cholecystitis - correct answer-Acute inflammation of the gallbladder wall
Patient with pulmonary HTN due to left heart failure, can they have vasodilators
(PDE5?) - correct answer-NO! can make things worse
-maximize heart failure treatment!
Sever's Diseaese - correct answer-Calcaneal apophysitis, also called Sever's
disease, is a common cause of heel pain in young athletes, especially those who
participate in basketball, soccer, track, and other sports that involve running.
Typically the heel apophysis closes by age 15. Treatment options include activity
modification, the use of ice packs and/or moist heat, stretching, analgesics, and
orthotic devices. The use of therapeutic ultrasound on the active bone growth
plates in children is contraindicated.
in pressure ulcers what solutions to avoid, and what to use! - correct answer-
recommended that pressure ulcers not be cleaned with povidone/iodine, Dakin's
solution, hydrogen peroxide, wet-to-dry dressings, or any solutions that may
impede granulation tissue formation. These sites should be cleaned with either
saline or tap water and covered with hydrocolloid, foam, or another nonadherent
dressing that promotes a moist environment.
Chronic paraoxysmal hemicrania - correct answer-resembles cluster headache
but has some important differences. Like cluster headaches, these headaches are
unilateral and accompanied by conjunctival hyperemia and rhinorrhea. However,
these headaches are more frequent in women, and the paroxysms occur many
times each day. This type of headache falls into a group of headaches that have
been labeled indomethacin-responsive headaches because they respond
dramatically to *indomethacin.*
, normal spirometry but low DLCO - correct answer-chronic pulmonary embolus
Antibiotic ppx for dental procedures - correct answer-give amoxicillin only if prior
endocarditis, prosthetic valve, heart txp, or severe or repaired congenital heart
-if allergic to penicillin, then give clinda!!
when to refer patient with CKD to nephrology - correct answer-Current guidelines
recommend referral to a nephrologist if a patient's renal disease is either of
unknown etiology, is deteriorating quickly (eGFR decreasing by >5 mL/min/1.73
m2 per year), or is severe. Thresholds used to define severe chronic kidney
disease include an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, a urine albumin to creatinine ratio
>300 g/mg, persistent acidosis or potassium imbalance, non-iron deficiency
anemia with a hemoglobin level <10 g/dL, and evidence of secondary
hyperparathyroidism.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy - correct answer-common treatable causes of
peripheral neuropathy, which include *diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and
nutritional deficiencies*. Additional causes of peripheral neuropathy include
*chronic liver disease and renal disease*. It is important to consider medications
as a possible cause, including *amiodarone, digoxin, nitrofurantoin, and statins.
Excessive alcohol* use is another important consideration. In addition think
*MGUS, and Multiple Myeloma*
Failure rates of contraception - correct answer-The annual failure rate of
combined oral contraceptive pills with typical use is 9%. Typical failure rates for
other contraceptive methods are 0.2% for the levonorgestrel IUD, 6% for
injectable progestin, 18% for male condoms, and 22% for the withdrawal method.
