ABP Pediatric Emergency Medicine study guide
ABP Pediatric Emergency Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine is one of the pediatric subspecialties for which the American Board of Pediatrics offers subspecialty certification, listed alongside Adolescent Medicine, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, and others in the ABP's subspecialty certification catalog. The credential is intended for physicians who have completed pediatric training and subspecialty fellowship preparation in emergency medicine and who wish to demonstrate knowledge beyond state licensure, since board certification is described by the ABP as a voluntary process that goes beyond state medical licensing. The ABP Pediatric Emergency Medicine study guide has 12 sections and about 2,828 words.
01Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Core Content Areas
The broad content domain rewards a systems-and-differential approach rather than memorized vignettes. Candidates must be fluent in the leading causes of pediatric arrest (respiratory failure and shock, not primary arrhythmia), the age-stratified vital sign ranges, and the concept of compensated versus decompensated shock.
275 words, about 1 min02Resuscitation and Critical Care
This domain tests the mechanics of pediatric resuscitation: high-quality CPR with appropriate compression depth and rate, early defibrillation for shockable rhythms, and the shock-refractory sequence. Candidates must know the reversible-cause framework, the role of capnography as a compression-quality and return-of-spontaneous-circulation marker, and the difference between shockable (ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia) and non-shockable rhythms.
240 words, about 1 min03Trauma and Injury Prevention
Trauma content emphasizes mechanism-based prediction of injury and a structured primary survey with spinal motion restriction when indicated. Candidates must recognize that children have a larger head-to-body ratio, more compliant ribs, and a pliable skeleton, so serious internal injury can occur without external signs.
268 words, about 1 min04Toxicology and Environmental Emergencies
Toxicology questions reward a toxidrome-based approach: recognize the syndrome, then identify likely agents and antidotes. Candidates must know the classic toxidromes (anticholinergic, cholinergic, sympathomimetic, opioid, sedative-hypnotic) and the antidotes for high-yield poisons such as acetaminophen, salicylates, iron, opioids, benzodiazepines, and organophosphates.
251 words, about 1 min05Infectious Disease Emergencies
This domain emphasizes recognition of time-critical infections and age-appropriate evaluation of fever. Candidates must understand the febrile infant workup stratified by age, the approach to sepsis (early recognition, cultures, antibiotics within the appropriate window), and the red flags of meningitis, including nuchal rigidity, altered mental status, and petechial rash.
241 words, about 1 min06Respiratory Emergencies
Respiratory emergencies are the most common critical pediatric presentations. Candidates must distinguish upper from lower airway disease and recognize the classic patterns: croup (barking cough, stridor, steeple sign), epiglottitis (drooling, tripod positioning, muffled voice), bronchiolitis (wheezing, viral prodrome, age under two), asthma (diffuse wheeze, prolonged expiration), and foreign body aspiration (sudden onset, unilateral findings).
238 words, about 1 min07Cardiovascular Emergencies
Cardiovascular emergencies in children are often congenital or arrhythmic rather than ischemic. Candidates must recognize cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease patterns, the ductal-dependent lesions that decompensate as the ductus closes, and the presentation of congestive heart failure in infancy (poor feeding, tachypnea, diaphoresis with feeds).
239 words, about 1 min08Neurologic Emergencies
Neurologic emergencies require rapid recognition of altered mental status and seizure management. Candidates must know the stepwise approach to status epilepticus, the importance of checking glucose, and the recognition of raised intracranial pressure signs.
237 words, about 1 min09Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies
This domain covers the common and the can't-miss: gastroenteritis and dehydration, intussusception, malrotation with volvulus, appendicitis, and the acute scrotum. Candidates must assess dehydration severity clinically and know the principles of oral versus intravenous rehydration.
213 words, about 1 min10Behavioral and Psychiatric Emergencies
Behavioral emergencies require safety-first assessment and recognition of medical mimics. Candidates must know the approach to the agitated or suicidal patient, the importance of a safe environment, and the principles of de-escalation before pharmacologic restraint.
212 words, about 1 min11Emergency Department Systems, Administration, and Quality Improvement
This domain tests understanding of how emergency departments function: patient flow, triage, staffing, and quality improvement. Candidates must understand triage principles, the importance of timely recognition of deteriorating patients, and the role of standardized protocols and checklists.
200 words, about 1 min12Professionalism, Communication, and Advocacy
This domain addresses the human side of emergency care: communication with families, informed consent and assent, confidentiality, and advocacy for vulnerable children. Candidates must understand the principles of family-centered care, shared decision-making, and the recognition of implicit bias.
214 words, about 1 min