ABEM Peds EM case studies
ABEM Peds EM · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ABEM Pediatric Emergency Medicine subspecialty certification is a credential offered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine for physicians who have completed training in emergency medicine and wish to demonstrate subspecialty expertise in the emergency care of infants, children, and adolescents. It is designed for emergency physicians who treat pediatric patients across the full acuity spectrum, from the community ED to the dedicated children's hospital setting. The exam assesses the knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and management skills required to stabilize and treat critically ill and injured children, including airway and resuscitation skills, recognition of congenital and acquired pediatric disease, injury patterns, toxicologic and environmental emergencies, and the interface between emergency medicine and pediatric inpatient and subspecialty care. Candidates should expect a clinically oriented, case-based assessment that rewards applied decision-making over isolated fact recall. The ABEM Peds EM case studies are 5 cases and about 2,947 words.
1Toddler with Altered Mental Status and Hypoglycemia
A 2-year-old boy is brought to the ED by his mother for lethargy and vomiting. He has had 3 days of poor oral intake and non-bloody, non-bilious emesis.
617 words, about 3 min2School-Age Child with Status Epilepticus and Respiratory Depression
A 7-year-old girl is brought to the ED by EMS in active generalized tonic-clonic seizure. She has no known seizure history.
548 words, about 3 min3Infant with Fever and Petechial Rash
A 4-month-old infant is brought to the ED with a fever of 39.0°C for 6 hours and a petechial rash on the trunk and legs. The infant is irritable but consolable, feeding poorly, and has had fewer wet diapers.
604 words, about 3 min4Adolescent with Abdominal Pain and Positive Pregnancy Test
A 16-year-old girl presents to the ED with 8 hours of severe lower abdominal pain and nausea. She is sexually active and uses condoms inconsistently.
623 words, about 3 min5Child with Asthma Exacerbation and Silent Chest
A 9-year-old boy with a history of asthma is brought to the ED with worsening shortness of breath and wheezing for 2 days. He has been using his albuterol inhaler every 2 hours with minimal relief.
555 words, about 3 min