ABA BASIC case studies
ABA BASIC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
BASIC is the first in the sequence of three initial certification examinations that the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) administers to physicians seeking board certification in anesthesiology - the others being ADVANCED and APPLIED. It is intended for anesthesiology residents who have completed the core clinical anesthesia training that precedes the more advanced and applied stages of the certification pathway, and it functions as a knowledge examination rather than a simulation or oral assessment. The ABA BASIC case studies are 5 cases and about 5,298 words.
1A Persistent Air Leak, a Chest Tube, and a Predecessor's Note: Nitrous Oxide in Thoracic Surgery
A 67-year-old, 82 kg man with severe bullous emphysema is admitted with a spontaneous right pneumothorax. A 28 Fr chest tube is draining with a continuous, audible air leak.
985 words, about 5 min2Severe Aortic Stenosis and a Fractured Hip: Resisting the Reflex Spinal
An 86-year-old woman, 55 kg, fell at home and has a displaced left femoral neck fracture, now 20 hours old. Echocardiography two months ago showed severe aortic stenosis: valve area 0.7 cm², mean gradient 52 mmHg, EF 65%, severe concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, no regurgitant lesions.
1,075 words, about 5 min3Platelets Falling by the Hour: Neuraxial Anesthesia in Evolving HELLP
A 33-year-old G2P1 at 34 weeks' gestation is admitted with a blood pressure of 172/108, a persistent headache, and right upper quadrant pain. She is on magnesium sulfate (6 g load, now 2 g/h); deep tendon reflexes are 2+, respiratory rate 16, urine output 30 mL/h.
1,060 words, about 5 min4The Preprinted "DNR Suspended in the OR" Order
A 74-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic cancer, enrolled in hospice, has a signed physician order for life-sustaining treatment documenting DNR/DNI status in the chart. He presents with a necrotic, infected sacral pressure injury requiring urgent debridement.
1,063 words, about 5 min5A Five-Week-Old With a pH of 7.52 and a Urine pH of 5.0
A 5-week-old boy, 4.1 kg, has projectile nonbilious emesis for eight days. He is lethargic with a sunken fontanelle and dry mucous membranes.
1,115 words, about 6 min