ABFM Family Medicine key terms

Persistently elevated arterial blood pressure, generally defined as office readings of 130/80 mm Hg or higher, that increases risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and myocardial infarction.

A chronic metabolic disorder marked by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, diagnosed by elevated A1c, fasting glucose, or oral glucose tolerance testing, and managed with lifestyle, oral agents, and sometimes insulin.

Use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular events in patients with established atherosclerotic disease or elevated risk; monitoring includes lipids and liver enzymes when symptoms suggest injury.

Progressive airflow limitation from chronic bronchitis or emphysema, diagnosed by post-bronchodilator spirometry showing a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio, with exacerbations treated by bronchodilators and corticosteroids.

A clinical syndrome of congestion and reduced cardiac output with left ventricular ejection fraction of 40 percent or less; guideline-directed therapy includes beta blockers, renin-angiotensin inhibitors, mineralocorticoid antagonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors.

An irregularly irregular supraventricular arrhythmia that raises stroke risk; management includes rate or rhythm control and anticoagulation based on calculated thromboembolic risk.

Acute lower respiratory infection acquired outside hospitals, diagnosed by symptoms plus chest imaging, with severity scoring guiding outpatient versus inpatient antibiotic treatment.

A seizure occurring with fever in a child aged 6 months to 5 years without central nervous system infection; most are simple, brief, and do not require long-term anticonvulsant therapy.

A pediatric vasculitis of medium-sized arteries causing prolonged fever, conjunctivitis, rash, mucosal changes, and extremity swelling; treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin reduces coronary artery complications.

Middle-ear infection diagnosed by bulging tympanic membrane or otorrhea in a child with ear pain or fever; observation is reasonable in mild cases, while antibiotics are used for severe or persistent illness.

Persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity causing impairment across settings, diagnosed by DSM criteria and treated with behavioral therapy and stimulant or nonstimulant medication.

The recommended timing and sequence of immunizations from childhood through adulthood, updated annually and adjusted for contraindications, catch-up needs, and special health conditions.

A pregnancy-specific disorder of new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction; delivery is curative and timing depends on gestational age and maternal or fetal status.

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, diagnosed by screening at 24 to 28 weeks; management includes diet, glucose monitoring, and insulin when targets are not met.

Excessive bleeding after childbirth, commonly from uterine atony; treatment begins with uterine massage, oxytocin, and volume resuscitation while searching for lacerations or retained placenta.

Birth control methods such as intrauterine devices and implants that provide highly effective, reversible pregnancy prevention for years without daily adherence.

Periodic Pap testing with or without HPV testing to detect cervical precancer; intervals and starting age depend on guidelines and prior results.

Use of multiple medications, often five or more, that raises risks of interactions, adverse effects, and nonadherence; periodic medication reconciliation and deprescribing are key safeguards.

A list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults, organized by drug class and clinical concern, used to guide safer prescribing and deprescribing decisions.

An acute fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often triggered by infection, medication, or hospitalization; recognition and treatment of the underlying cause are essential.

A chronic progressive decline in two or more cognitive domains that interferes with independence; evaluation excludes reversible causes and management addresses safety, behavior, and caregiver support.

Ongoing discussion and documentation of a patient's values and preferences for future medical care, including health care proxies and code status, ideally before a crisis.

A nine-item depression screening and severity questionnaire based on DSM criteria; scores guide treatment decisions and can be repeated to monitor response.

A seven-item anxiety screening tool that rates symptom severity and can prompt further evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder and related conditions.

A collaborative counseling style that strengthens a patient's own motivation and confidence for behavior change through open questions, reflections, and affirmation rather than confrontation.

A problematic pattern of alcohol use causing impairment or distress, screened by AUDIT-C and treated with brief intervention, counseling, and medications such as naltrexone or acamprosate.

A structured inquiry into suicidal thoughts, plans, intent, means access, and protective factors, used to determine level of care and safety planning.

Degenerative joint disease with cartilage loss causing pain and stiffness; treatment emphasizes exercise, weight management, physical therapy, and analgesics, with arthroplasty for severe disease.

Common musculoskeletal pain often without serious pathology; red flags such as fever, trauma, neurologic deficits, or cancer history prompt imaging, while most cases improve with activity and analgesia.

Clinical decision rules that use tenderness at specified bony landmarks and inability to bear weight to decide whether ankle radiography is needed after injury.

Median nerve compression at the wrist causing nocturnal numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, treated with splinting, steroid injection, or surgery.

A severe, rapid systemic hypersensitivity reaction with airway swelling, bronchospasm, or hypotension; intramuscular epinephrine is the first-line treatment, followed by supportive care and observation.

Continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without recovery lasting five minutes or longer; immediate benzodiazepines followed by second-line anticonvulsants prevent permanent neurologic injury.

An opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses respiratory depression from opioid overdose; bystanders and clinicians can administer intranasal or injectable forms and should call emergency services.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, recognized by rising SOFA scores; early antibiotics, fluids, and source control improve survival.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel that grades preventive services from A to D based on evidence, guiding screening and counseling decisions.

Testing to detect colorectal cancer or adenomas in average-risk adults, typically beginning at age 45 with colonoscopy or stool-based tests at guideline-defined intervals.

Conditions of birth, growth, living, working, and aging that shape health outcomes, including income, housing, food security, and education; screening and referral can address unmet needs.

Indirect protection from an infectious disease when a sufficient proportion of a population is immune, reducing transmission to those who cannot be vaccinated.