ABIM IM BOARDS ITE EXAM REVIEW 2026
SOLVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS VERIFIED
●● Which of the following individuals meet the current (2014) USPSTF
criteria for undergoing chest CT screening for lung cancer?
A) 60 year-old female who is a current smoker with a 25 pack-year
history of smoking.
B) 65 year-old male former smoker with a 30 pack-year history of
smoking who quit smoking 15 years ago.
C) 55 year-old female former smoker with a 30 pack-year history of
smoking who quit smoking 10 years ago.
D) 50 year-old male who is a current smoker with a 30 pack-year history
of smoking..
Answer: Answer: C. In 2014, the USPSTF issued a "B" recommendation
for screening for lung cancer with low dose CT scans. The
recommendation was based on the results of the US National Lung
Screening Trial (NLST), a large randomized clinical trial published in
2011 showing a reduction of lung cancer deaths in the group undergoing
annual low dose CT scans for lung cancer screening over 3 years
,compared with the group undergoing annual chest x-rays. The
inclusion/exclusion criteria for the trial were used as the basis for the
recommended screening group in the new guideline: Current or former
smoker ages 55-80 years with at least a 30 pack-year history of smoking
and who has quit less than 15 years ago.
A. does not have a long enough pack-year history of smoking;
B. quit smoking 15 or more years ago; and
D. is too young (age<55 years).
Screening modalities other than low dose CT are not recommended (I
recommendations for chest x-ray, etc.)
●● USPSTF (2013) lung cancer screening criteria in smokers:.
Answer: Age 55-80
Min 30 pack-year hx
If quit, quit less than 15 years ago
(All Grade "B")
●● Annual breast self-examinations to screen for breast cancer:
A) Increase the number of breast biopsies performed.
,B) Reduce all-cause mortality in women.
C) Reduce mortality due to breast cancer in women.
D) Reduce the use of mammography..
Answer: Answer: A.
Two large studies conducted outside of the U.S. demonstrated no
mortality benefit for teaching self breast examinations. Additionally,
teaching self breast examination resulted in an increase in imaging
studies and biopsies.
●● Routine aspirin is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force for which of the following groups, given that the risk of
gastrointestinal hemorrhage is considered to be low?
A) Men and women ages 50 to 79 years at average risk for colorectal
cancer
B) Men ages 45 to 79 years at risk for ischemic stroke
C) Women ages 55 to 79 years to prevent ischemic stroke
, D) Women ages 55 to 79 years to prevent myocardial infarction.
Answer: Answer: C.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the use of aspirin
for women age 55 to 79 years to prevent ischemic stroke when " the
potential benefit due to a reduction in ischemic stroke outweighs the
potential harm due to an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage " ("A"
recommendation). Aspirin is also recommended for men ages 45 to 79
years for reduction of myocardial infarction ("A" recommendation). The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against use of aspirin
for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer in individuals at average
risk
●● USPSTF routine aspirin recommendations:.
Answer: Women:
Age 55-79 to prevent ischemic stroke
Men:
Age 45-79 to prevent MI
USPSTF recommends against aspirin use for prevention of colorectal
cancer
---------------------------
2016 changes (in case boards are updated):
SOLVED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS VERIFIED
●● Which of the following individuals meet the current (2014) USPSTF
criteria for undergoing chest CT screening for lung cancer?
A) 60 year-old female who is a current smoker with a 25 pack-year
history of smoking.
B) 65 year-old male former smoker with a 30 pack-year history of
smoking who quit smoking 15 years ago.
C) 55 year-old female former smoker with a 30 pack-year history of
smoking who quit smoking 10 years ago.
D) 50 year-old male who is a current smoker with a 30 pack-year history
of smoking..
Answer: Answer: C. In 2014, the USPSTF issued a "B" recommendation
for screening for lung cancer with low dose CT scans. The
recommendation was based on the results of the US National Lung
Screening Trial (NLST), a large randomized clinical trial published in
2011 showing a reduction of lung cancer deaths in the group undergoing
annual low dose CT scans for lung cancer screening over 3 years
,compared with the group undergoing annual chest x-rays. The
inclusion/exclusion criteria for the trial were used as the basis for the
recommended screening group in the new guideline: Current or former
smoker ages 55-80 years with at least a 30 pack-year history of smoking
and who has quit less than 15 years ago.
A. does not have a long enough pack-year history of smoking;
B. quit smoking 15 or more years ago; and
D. is too young (age<55 years).
Screening modalities other than low dose CT are not recommended (I
recommendations for chest x-ray, etc.)
●● USPSTF (2013) lung cancer screening criteria in smokers:.
Answer: Age 55-80
Min 30 pack-year hx
If quit, quit less than 15 years ago
(All Grade "B")
●● Annual breast self-examinations to screen for breast cancer:
A) Increase the number of breast biopsies performed.
,B) Reduce all-cause mortality in women.
C) Reduce mortality due to breast cancer in women.
D) Reduce the use of mammography..
Answer: Answer: A.
Two large studies conducted outside of the U.S. demonstrated no
mortality benefit for teaching self breast examinations. Additionally,
teaching self breast examination resulted in an increase in imaging
studies and biopsies.
●● Routine aspirin is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force for which of the following groups, given that the risk of
gastrointestinal hemorrhage is considered to be low?
A) Men and women ages 50 to 79 years at average risk for colorectal
cancer
B) Men ages 45 to 79 years at risk for ischemic stroke
C) Women ages 55 to 79 years to prevent ischemic stroke
, D) Women ages 55 to 79 years to prevent myocardial infarction.
Answer: Answer: C.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the use of aspirin
for women age 55 to 79 years to prevent ischemic stroke when " the
potential benefit due to a reduction in ischemic stroke outweighs the
potential harm due to an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage " ("A"
recommendation). Aspirin is also recommended for men ages 45 to 79
years for reduction of myocardial infarction ("A" recommendation). The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against use of aspirin
for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer in individuals at average
risk
●● USPSTF routine aspirin recommendations:.
Answer: Women:
Age 55-79 to prevent ischemic stroke
Men:
Age 45-79 to prevent MI
USPSTF recommends against aspirin use for prevention of colorectal
cancer
---------------------------
2016 changes (in case boards are updated):
