ABPath Clinical Pathology case studies
ABPath Clinical Pathology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) is the certifying body whose examinations recognize pathologists who have demonstrated the knowledge, judgment, and skills expected in their area of practice, as determined by nationally recognized experts. ABPath describes its mission as promoting and contributing to the delivery of the highest quality of patient care through the practice of board-certified pathologists, and it also administers a Continuing Certification Program that helps diplomates maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers. The ABPath Clinical Pathology case studies are 5 cases and about 3,333 words.
1A 58-Year-Old with Recurrent Syncope and a Normal Basic Metabolic Panel
A 58-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and prediabetes is admitted after three episodes of syncope over two weeks. She takes hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril.
535 words, about 3 min2A 34-Year-Old with Microangiopathic Hemolysis and a Normal ADAMTS13
A 34-year-old previously healthy woman presents with 4 days of fever, confusion, and petechiae. Labs: hemoglobin 7.8 g/dL, platelets 18 x10^9/L, WBC 12.4 x10^9/L, creatinine 2.1 mg/dL, LDH 1,240 U/L, haptoglobin <10 mg/dL, total bilirubin 2.8 mg/dL (indirect 2.2), INR 1.0, fibrinogen 310 mg/dL.
687 words, about 3 min3A 72-Year-Old with a Positive Blood Culture and a Beta-Lactam Allergy
A 72-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (eGFR 28 mL/min/1.73 m^2) is admitted with fever and right lower extremity cellulitis. Two sets of blood cultures grow gram-positive cocci in clusters from both bottles at 14 hours.
706 words, about 4 min4A 28-Year-Old Woman with a Positive Antibody Screen at 12 Weeks Gestation
A 28-year-old G2P1 woman at 12 weeks gestation has a routine antibody screen: positive. Her blood type is O Rh(D) negative.
709 words, about 4 min5A 6-Year-Old with Pancytopenia and a Suspicious Bone Marrow
A 6-year-old boy presents with 3 weeks of bruising, fatigue, and fever. CBC: hemoglobin 6.2 g/dL, platelets 22 x10^9/L, WBC 2.8 x10^9/L with 10% blasts on manual differential.
696 words, about 3 min