ABIM Internal Medicine case studies
ABIM Internal Medicine · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination is the secure, computer-based assessment that the American Board of Internal Medicine uses to grant and maintain certification in internal medicine. It is built for physicians who have completed an accredited residency in internal medicine and want to demonstrate, to hospitals, credentialing bodies, insurers, and patients, that they meet a national standard of knowledge across the full breadth of adult medicine. The ABIM Internal Medicine case studies are 5 cases and about 3,271 words.
1A 68-Year-Old Man with HFrEF, Hyperkalemia, and Two Missing Drug Classes
A 68-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy (LVEF 28%) is seen 2 weeks after discharge for decompensated heart failure; he is now euvolemic. Medications are sacubitril/valsartan 24/26 mg twice daily, carvedilol 3.125 mg twice daily, and furosemide 40 mg daily.
537 words, about 3 min2A Diabetic Foot Ulcer with a Positive Probe-to-Bone Test and an MRI Ten Days Away
A 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes (A1c 8.9%) has a 4-cm ulcer over the first metatarsal head present for 6 weeks. A sterile probe reaches firm bone.
553 words, about 3 min3Symptomatic Hyponatremia at 116 mmol/L in a Patient on a Thiazide
A 74-year-old woman is admitted with 2 days of confusion and falls. She started hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily 3 weeks ago for hypertension and takes no other new medications.
700 words, about 4 min4Nocturnal Hypoglycemia in Advanced CKD - and a Reassuring A1c
A 67-year-old man with 18 years of type 2 diabetes and an eGFR of 26 mL/min/1.73 m² has an A1c of 7.2%. He takes glyburide 10 mg twice daily, metformin 500 mg twice daily, and insulin glargine 20 units at bedtime.
727 words, about 4 min5Shoulder and Hip Girdle Pain in a 72-Year-Old Woman
A 72-year-old woman has 5 weeks of bilateral shoulder and hip girdle aching and stiffness, worst in the morning and lasting about 90 minutes. She struggles to rise from a chair and to lift her arms overhead, and has had to stop gardening.
754 words, about 4 min