ABPN Geriatric Psychiatry case studies
ABPN Geriatric Psychiatry · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Geriatric Psychiatry Continuing Certification examination is an ABPN maintenance-of-certification assessment for psychiatrists who already hold ABPN certification in geriatric psychiatry and need to keep it current. It is not an entry-level credential and it does not replace initial subspecialty certification; it sits inside the Continuing Certification (CC) program, which also carries separate self-assessment, improvement-in-medical-practice, patient-safety, and article-based requirements that are tracked through the ABPN Physician Portal. Content spans the two broad areas ABPN uses for this credential - geriatric psychiatry and general psychiatry - so candidates should expect late-life mood, cognitive, psychotic, anxiety, and substance-related disorders alongside core psychiatry that presents in older adults, including interactions with medical illness, polypharmacy, and capacity and end-of-life questions. Preparation works best as a structured pass over late-life neuropsychiatry plus a refresher on general psychiatry, followed by practice questions used to find gaps rather than to build volume. The ABPN Geriatric Psychiatry case studies are 5 cases and about 1,918 words.
1Agitation in Moderate Dementia: When to Use Antipsychotics
J is an 82-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease (MMSE 18/30) who lives with his daughter. Over the past month, he has become increasingly agitated, especially in the evenings.
400 words, about 2 min2Depression with Cognitive Impairment: Differentiating Pseudodementia from Dementia
L is a 78-year-old woman brought by her son because of progressive memory problems over 6 months. She reports feeling sad, has lost interest in activities, and has poor appetite with 10-lb weight loss.
378 words, about 2 min3Anxiety and Benzodiazepine Use in an Older Adult
K is a 75-year-old retired teacher with a history of generalized anxiety disorder since his 40s. He has been on alprazolam 1 mg three times daily for many years, prescribed by his previous physician.
400 words, about 2 min4Delirium Superimposed on Dementia in the Hospital
R is an 88-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer's disease (MMSE 16/30) who is admitted to the hospital for a hip fracture after a fall. She is on donepezil 10 mg daily.
330 words, about 2 min5Capacity and Treatment Refusal in a Patient with Dementia
B is an 80-year-old man with moderate Alzheimer's disease who lives alone. He has a history of hypertension and diabetes.
410 words, about 2 min