ABPN Sleep Medicine case studies
ABPN Sleep Medicine · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ABPN Sleep Medicine subspecialty examination is a certification exam offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. It is intended for physicians trained in psychiatry or neurology who have completed subspecialty training in sleep medicine and are pursuing board certification in that field. The ABPN Sleep Medicine case studies are 5 cases and about 2,205 words.
1A 6-Year-Old With Nighttime Waking and Confusional Events
A 6-year-old boy is brought for evaluation of nighttime events occurring 3-4 nights per week for 4 months. About 90 minutes after sleep onset he sits up, appears confused, is inconsolable, and pushes his parents away; events last 5-10 minutes and he has no memory of them.
449 words, about 2 min2Shift Worker With Excessive Sleepiness and a Safety-Critical Job
A 44-year-old air traffic controller works rotating 12-hour shifts: 2 days, 2 nights, then 4 days off. He reports 6 months of sleepiness during night shifts, difficulty sleeping during daytime rest periods, and two near-miss incidents.
464 words, about 2 min3New-Onset Dream-Enacting Behavior in an Older Adult
A 71-year-old man is referred because his wife reports that for 8 months he has been punching, kicking, and shouting during sleep, often around 3-4 AM, and has injured her twice. He recalls vivid dreams of being chased and reports that he 'acts them out.' He has no daytime sleepiness, no restless legs symptoms, and no history of sleepwalking.
425 words, about 2 min4A Pregnant Woman With New Snoring and Worsening Daytime Fatigue
A 32-year-old woman at 28 weeks' gestation presents with 2 months of loud snoring, witnessed gasping, and daytime fatigue. She has gained 9 kg this pregnancy.
404 words, about 2 min5An Adolescent With Delayed Sleep Phase and School Failure
A 15-year-old girl is brought by her parents for 'insomnia and laziness.' She cannot fall asleep before 1-2 AM and, on school nights, gets 5-6 hours of sleep. On weekends she sleeps from 2 AM to noon and feels fine.
463 words, about 2 min