ABIM Exam (100+) Questions with verified Answers
2024/2025
1. In addition to being hot new classes of DM drugs, the GLP-1 and SGLT-2
inhibitors have which desirable effect for patients?: Weight loss
2. The two drugs to give in patient with Essential Thrombocytosis: ASA +
hydroxyurea
3. rheumatoid arthritis have a 1.5 to 2 fold increased risk of what common
medical problem?: CAD
4. Pre-eclampsia - list the triad of findings and what wk of pregnancy it starts-
: pre-eclampsia is defined by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria after 20 weeks
gestation
5. A1c target in DM: <7
6. A1c target in DM WIth COMPLEX ISSUES: <8
7. A1c target age >75: <7.5
8. A1c target age >75 in patient with mod complex diseases to boot: <8.0
9. A1c target age >75 with serious medical problems or limited life expectan-
cy: <8.5
10. Synovial Fluid WBC < 200: Normal
11. Synovial Fluid WBC 200 - 2000: Non-Inflammatory Conditions
12. Synovial Fluid WBC > 2000: Inflammatory conditions
13. What Synovial WBC count do we use to distinguish infections from in-
flammatory condition: TRICK - We dont! There is no absolute cutoff value that
distinguishes infection from crystal-related disease, because some infections may
have lower counts than expected and crystal-related disease may have counts
greater than 100,000.
If WBC > 50,000 - Definitely give antibiotics empirically
Even if WBC not too high (say 10,000) Still send cultures
14. Psoriasis Tx (<10% of BSA): Topical steroids or topical Vitamin D analogues
15. Psoriasis Tx (>10% BSA, or associated with Psoriatic Arthritis): Photother-
apy, MTX, cyclosporine, apremilast (PDE-4i), TNFi (infliximab)
16. Do we test for eradication of H Pylori after tx?: Yes! Either by urea breath
test, fecal antigen testing, or repeat EGD with biopsy
17. If you obtain ABIs and value is > 1.40 what does this mean?: ABI greater
than 1.40 indicates the presence of calcified, noncompressible arteries in the lower
extremities and is considered uninterpretable. Need to get TOE-BRACHIAL INDEX
instead.
,18. Triad of disseminated gonococcal infection: tenosynovitis, dermatitis (usu-
ally painless pustular or vesiculopustular lesions), and polyarthralgia without frank
arthritis.
, Fever, chills, and malaise are common.
19. Triad in Lofgrens syndrome: Fever, hilar lymphadenopathy, ery thema no-
dosum.
No need for biopsy to confirm Sarcoidosis. Triad of Lofgren's is very s pecific for
Sarcoid
20. New heart failure or third degree AVB in heart transplant recipient in
the first year is indication for what?: Endomyocardial biopsy to confirm early
rejection.
Biopsy done rountinely within 1 year because rejection risk is so high
21. tx of Barrett's esophagus, indefinite for dysplasia: Continue medical therapy
with ppi
22. tx of Barrett's esophagus with low or high grade dysplasia: Endoscopic
ablation or surgery depending on local expertise
23. non casseating granuloma: Sarcoidosis
24. Casseating granulomas: TB
25. The two first line medications for alcohol use disorder in patient who
wishes to quit?: Acamprosate and Naltrexone.
Acamprosate contraindicated in GFR < 50.
Disulfuram is considered second line.
26. Post-Exposure treatment for patient exposed to Smallpox: Vaccination with-
in 7 days. CDC has smallpox vaccine stockpile in case of exposure.
Smallpox immunoglobulins available from CDC if pt cannot receive vaccine for
whatever reason
27. Equation for Osm Gap: (2 x Glc) + (BUN / 2.8) + (Glc / 18)
28. Hallmark of DRESS (Drug Reaction Eosinophilia Systemic Symptoms): -
Timing - DRESS occurs 2-6 weeks after drug exposure
Think SJS/TEN if rash occurring soon after starting a med
29. What test confirms risk of falling backwards in parkinson's disease: Pull
test
30. Head Impulse Test: Differentiates peripheral and central vertigo
31. Diagnosis? -- Patient with Nisseria infection with multiple family members
who have a history of Nisseria infections: Terminal complement deficiency
2024/2025
1. In addition to being hot new classes of DM drugs, the GLP-1 and SGLT-2
inhibitors have which desirable effect for patients?: Weight loss
2. The two drugs to give in patient with Essential Thrombocytosis: ASA +
hydroxyurea
3. rheumatoid arthritis have a 1.5 to 2 fold increased risk of what common
medical problem?: CAD
4. Pre-eclampsia - list the triad of findings and what wk of pregnancy it starts-
: pre-eclampsia is defined by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria after 20 weeks
gestation
5. A1c target in DM: <7
6. A1c target in DM WIth COMPLEX ISSUES: <8
7. A1c target age >75: <7.5
8. A1c target age >75 in patient with mod complex diseases to boot: <8.0
9. A1c target age >75 with serious medical problems or limited life expectan-
cy: <8.5
10. Synovial Fluid WBC < 200: Normal
11. Synovial Fluid WBC 200 - 2000: Non-Inflammatory Conditions
12. Synovial Fluid WBC > 2000: Inflammatory conditions
13. What Synovial WBC count do we use to distinguish infections from in-
flammatory condition: TRICK - We dont! There is no absolute cutoff value that
distinguishes infection from crystal-related disease, because some infections may
have lower counts than expected and crystal-related disease may have counts
greater than 100,000.
If WBC > 50,000 - Definitely give antibiotics empirically
Even if WBC not too high (say 10,000) Still send cultures
14. Psoriasis Tx (<10% of BSA): Topical steroids or topical Vitamin D analogues
15. Psoriasis Tx (>10% BSA, or associated with Psoriatic Arthritis): Photother-
apy, MTX, cyclosporine, apremilast (PDE-4i), TNFi (infliximab)
16. Do we test for eradication of H Pylori after tx?: Yes! Either by urea breath
test, fecal antigen testing, or repeat EGD with biopsy
17. If you obtain ABIs and value is > 1.40 what does this mean?: ABI greater
than 1.40 indicates the presence of calcified, noncompressible arteries in the lower
extremities and is considered uninterpretable. Need to get TOE-BRACHIAL INDEX
instead.
,18. Triad of disseminated gonococcal infection: tenosynovitis, dermatitis (usu-
ally painless pustular or vesiculopustular lesions), and polyarthralgia without frank
arthritis.
, Fever, chills, and malaise are common.
19. Triad in Lofgrens syndrome: Fever, hilar lymphadenopathy, ery thema no-
dosum.
No need for biopsy to confirm Sarcoidosis. Triad of Lofgren's is very s pecific for
Sarcoid
20. New heart failure or third degree AVB in heart transplant recipient in
the first year is indication for what?: Endomyocardial biopsy to confirm early
rejection.
Biopsy done rountinely within 1 year because rejection risk is so high
21. tx of Barrett's esophagus, indefinite for dysplasia: Continue medical therapy
with ppi
22. tx of Barrett's esophagus with low or high grade dysplasia: Endoscopic
ablation or surgery depending on local expertise
23. non casseating granuloma: Sarcoidosis
24. Casseating granulomas: TB
25. The two first line medications for alcohol use disorder in patient who
wishes to quit?: Acamprosate and Naltrexone.
Acamprosate contraindicated in GFR < 50.
Disulfuram is considered second line.
26. Post-Exposure treatment for patient exposed to Smallpox: Vaccination with-
in 7 days. CDC has smallpox vaccine stockpile in case of exposure.
Smallpox immunoglobulins available from CDC if pt cannot receive vaccine for
whatever reason
27. Equation for Osm Gap: (2 x Glc) + (BUN / 2.8) + (Glc / 18)
28. Hallmark of DRESS (Drug Reaction Eosinophilia Systemic Symptoms): -
Timing - DRESS occurs 2-6 weeks after drug exposure
Think SJS/TEN if rash occurring soon after starting a med
29. What test confirms risk of falling backwards in parkinson's disease: Pull
test
30. Head Impulse Test: Differentiates peripheral and central vertigo
31. Diagnosis? -- Patient with Nisseria infection with multiple family members
who have a history of Nisseria infections: Terminal complement deficiency
