ABFM ASSESSMENT 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ facial swelling + dyspnea in a patient with non Hodgkin
lymphoma, with Chest Xray notable for large hilar mass; In addition
to hospitalization what would be the most appropriate urgent next
step?
Answer: Radiation; This is an oncologic emergency with the patient
presenting symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome
After ensuring that the patient is hospitalized and stable, the initial
treatment options include intravenous corticosteroids,
chemotherapy, radiation, and occasionally intravascular stenting.
◉ What is hyperviscocity syndrome?
Answer: Hyperviscosity syndrome is an oncologic emergency
associated with leukemia, multiple myeloma, and Waldenstrom
macroglobulinemia. It is treated with chemotherapy and
plasmapheresis
◉ What medications are involved in SMART therapy for asthma?
Answer: single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) approach
for asthma control, combination therapy with an inhaled
,corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator is used as both
controller and rescue medication
Formoterol is the only medication available in the United States
recommended for use in SMART therapy due to its rapid onset of
action (Budesonide/Formoterol, Symbicort)
◉ What is an indication for long term rather than short term proton
pump inhibitor therapy?
Answer: Gastroprotection in users of high dose NSAIDs at high risk
for GI bleeding
In 2022 the American Gastroenterological Association published 10
best practice statements to assist clinicians in addressing this issue.
Key recommendations include regular review and documentation of
the indication for any ongoing PPI use, and to consider discontinuing
PPIs for any patient without a clear indication.
Strategies for PPI discontinuation include tapering or abrupt
discontinuation. Rebound acid hypersecretion can lead to a
temporary increase in symptoms in either approach. If
deprescribing is attempted but not tolerated, patients may
reasonably be continued on the lowest effective dose
,in, in some situations the benefits of PPIs do clearly outweigh the
risks. Such indications include Barrett esophagus, severe erosive
esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and high risk for upper
gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Risk factors for GI bleeding include prior ulcer, age >65, high-dose
NSAID therapy, or concurrent use of aspirin, corticosteroids, or
anticoagulants. Such patients should be advised to use PPIs
indefinitely.
◉ Greatest risk factor for alzheimers?
Answer: age
◉ Most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy for a
temoporomandibular disorder in an otherwise healthy 54 yo male?
Answer: The initial first-line pharmacologic therapy for
temporomandibular disorders is naproxen. Cyclobenzaprine may
also be added if there is evidence of muscle spasm (A
recommendation). If this is unsuccessful, other options include a
trial of amitriptyline or gabapentin. Opioid therapy is not
appropriate first-line treatment for temporomandibular disorders.
Corticosteroid injections should be avoided due to potential
cartilage damage (B recommendation).
◉ Most common causes of thyroiditis?
, Answer: Thyroiditis, a general term for inflammation of the thyroid
gland, is associated with thyroid gland dysfunction. It is classified
based on clinical symptoms: painless or painful, acute or subacute,
and underlying etiology (medication-induced, infection, radiation-
induced, or autoimmune). The most common forms of thyroiditis
include Hashimoto, subacute, and postpartum. Thyroiditis often
results in a triphasic disease pattern of thyroid dysfunction:
hyperthyroidism due to the release of preformed thyroid hormone
from damaged thyroid cells followed by hypothyroidism when the
thyroid stores are depleted. Eventually normal thyroid function is
restored, or the patient develops permanent hypothyroidism. This
patient presents with symptoms commonly seen in thyroid disease.
Further testing reveals elevated TSH and thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
levels. Elevated TPO levels are found in 95% of patients with
Hashimoto thyroiditis. In addition, this patient's family history
includes rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease, making
Hashimoto thyroiditis the most likely diagnosis. Treatment is
lifelong thyroid hormone therapy
◉ Elevated TPO levels are found in 95% of patients with what type
of thyroiditis?
Answer: Hashimotos
◉ What kinds of medications are linked to thyroiditis?
Answer: Several medications are linked to thyroiditis, including
lithium, amiodarone, interferon-alfa, interleukin-2, immune
checkpoint inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors
AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ facial swelling + dyspnea in a patient with non Hodgkin
lymphoma, with Chest Xray notable for large hilar mass; In addition
to hospitalization what would be the most appropriate urgent next
step?
Answer: Radiation; This is an oncologic emergency with the patient
presenting symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome
After ensuring that the patient is hospitalized and stable, the initial
treatment options include intravenous corticosteroids,
chemotherapy, radiation, and occasionally intravascular stenting.
◉ What is hyperviscocity syndrome?
Answer: Hyperviscosity syndrome is an oncologic emergency
associated with leukemia, multiple myeloma, and Waldenstrom
macroglobulinemia. It is treated with chemotherapy and
plasmapheresis
◉ What medications are involved in SMART therapy for asthma?
Answer: single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) approach
for asthma control, combination therapy with an inhaled
,corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator is used as both
controller and rescue medication
Formoterol is the only medication available in the United States
recommended for use in SMART therapy due to its rapid onset of
action (Budesonide/Formoterol, Symbicort)
◉ What is an indication for long term rather than short term proton
pump inhibitor therapy?
Answer: Gastroprotection in users of high dose NSAIDs at high risk
for GI bleeding
In 2022 the American Gastroenterological Association published 10
best practice statements to assist clinicians in addressing this issue.
Key recommendations include regular review and documentation of
the indication for any ongoing PPI use, and to consider discontinuing
PPIs for any patient without a clear indication.
Strategies for PPI discontinuation include tapering or abrupt
discontinuation. Rebound acid hypersecretion can lead to a
temporary increase in symptoms in either approach. If
deprescribing is attempted but not tolerated, patients may
reasonably be continued on the lowest effective dose
,in, in some situations the benefits of PPIs do clearly outweigh the
risks. Such indications include Barrett esophagus, severe erosive
esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and high risk for upper
gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
Risk factors for GI bleeding include prior ulcer, age >65, high-dose
NSAID therapy, or concurrent use of aspirin, corticosteroids, or
anticoagulants. Such patients should be advised to use PPIs
indefinitely.
◉ Greatest risk factor for alzheimers?
Answer: age
◉ Most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy for a
temoporomandibular disorder in an otherwise healthy 54 yo male?
Answer: The initial first-line pharmacologic therapy for
temporomandibular disorders is naproxen. Cyclobenzaprine may
also be added if there is evidence of muscle spasm (A
recommendation). If this is unsuccessful, other options include a
trial of amitriptyline or gabapentin. Opioid therapy is not
appropriate first-line treatment for temporomandibular disorders.
Corticosteroid injections should be avoided due to potential
cartilage damage (B recommendation).
◉ Most common causes of thyroiditis?
, Answer: Thyroiditis, a general term for inflammation of the thyroid
gland, is associated with thyroid gland dysfunction. It is classified
based on clinical symptoms: painless or painful, acute or subacute,
and underlying etiology (medication-induced, infection, radiation-
induced, or autoimmune). The most common forms of thyroiditis
include Hashimoto, subacute, and postpartum. Thyroiditis often
results in a triphasic disease pattern of thyroid dysfunction:
hyperthyroidism due to the release of preformed thyroid hormone
from damaged thyroid cells followed by hypothyroidism when the
thyroid stores are depleted. Eventually normal thyroid function is
restored, or the patient develops permanent hypothyroidism. This
patient presents with symptoms commonly seen in thyroid disease.
Further testing reveals elevated TSH and thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
levels. Elevated TPO levels are found in 95% of patients with
Hashimoto thyroiditis. In addition, this patient's family history
includes rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease, making
Hashimoto thyroiditis the most likely diagnosis. Treatment is
lifelong thyroid hormone therapy
◉ Elevated TPO levels are found in 95% of patients with what type
of thyroiditis?
Answer: Hashimotos
◉ What kinds of medications are linked to thyroiditis?
Answer: Several medications are linked to thyroiditis, including
lithium, amiodarone, interferon-alfa, interleukin-2, immune
checkpoint inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors
