ABPath Combined AP/CP Primary Certification case studies
ABPath Combined AP/CP Primary Certification · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) Primary Certification Examination is the credentialing pathway for physicians seeking board certification in both anatomic and clinical pathology. According to ABPath, candidates take two separate one-day, computer-based components, each composed of combined written and practical sections. The ABPath Combined AP/CP Primary Certification case studies are 5 cases and about 3,076 words.
1Falling haemoglobin after chronic transfusion in sickle cell disease
A 27-year-old woman with sickle cell disease (HbSS) enrolled in a chronic simple-transfusion programme (target Hb 90-100 g/L, HbS <30%) is admitted in vaso-occlusive crisis. Pretransfusion Hb is 58 g/L, reticulocytes 2.1%, LDH 1240 U/L, bilirubin 68 micromol/L.
687 words, about 3 min2Apparent thyrotoxicosis in a patient on high-dose biotin
A 44-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis enrolled in a high-dose biotin protocol (300 mg/day) is referred for palpitations and 3 kg of unintentional weight loss. Heart rate is 88/min, blood pressure normal; there is no goitre, tremor or lid lag.
703 words, about 4 min3Starting treatment before the genetics return in suspected acute promyelocytic leukaemia
A 38-year-old man presents with 2 weeks of gum bleeding and bruising. WBC 2.1 x 10^9/L, Hb 78 g/L, platelets 18 x 10^9/L, fibrinogen 0.9 g/L, D-dimer 20 mg/L FEU, PT 19 s, aPTT 34 s, creatinine 118 micromol/L.
667 words, about 3 min4A single positive broth culture in suspected chronic prosthetic joint infection
A 67-year-old man with a right total hip arthroplasty 3 years ago reports 6 months of deep groin pain and night aches. CRP 14 mg/L, ESR 32 mm/h, WBC 8.4 x 10^9/L.
496 words, about 2 min5Reagent lot verification that fails at the clinically important low end
The chemistry laboratory of a 300-bed hospital runs creatinine on two identical analysers and reports eGFR with every result. During verification of a new reagent lot, pooled serum was run 20 times at two levels: 0.6 mg/dL (within-run CV 2.1%, mean bias +0.03 mg/dL versus the laboratory's reference method) and 4.0 mg/dL (CV 1.4%, bias +2.0%).
523 words, about 3 min