ABPS Geriatric Medicine study guide
ABPS Geriatric Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABPS Geriatric Medicine certification is a board credential offered by the American Board of Physician Specialties for physicians who want formal recognition of their competence in caring for older adults. It is most often pursued by primary care physicians, hospitalists, and family medicine or internal medicine physicians who have built a substantial geriatric component into their practice, as well as by physicians in related specialties whose patient panels skew older. The ABPS Geriatric Medicine study guide has 12 sections and about 2,924 words.
01Normal Aging and the Geriatric Assessment
Normal aging is physiologic change distinct from disease. Candidates must recognize expected declines: reduced renal clearance, decreased lean body mass and total body water, lower maximal heart rate and blunted baroreflex, reduced hearing (presbycusis) and vision (presbyopia, cataracts), decreased pulmonary elastic recoil, and modest cognitive slowing with preserved crystallized knowledge.
295 words, about 1 min02Geriatric Syndromes: Falls, Frailty, Incontinence, Delirium
Geriatric syndromes are multifactorial, shared-risk conditions. Falls : screen annually; evaluate gait/balance, vision, orthostatics, medications, footwear, home hazards; the Timed Up and Go and orthostatic vitals are core.
255 words, about 1 min03Cognitive Disorders and Dementia
Dementia is progressive cognitive decline affecting function. Key types: Alzheimer disease (amnestic, insidious), vascular (stepwise, focal deficits), Lewy body (fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, REM behavior disorder, neuroleptic sensitivity), and frontotemporal (behavior/personality or language).
238 words, about 1 min04Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease in Older Adults
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in older adults. Key concepts: hypertension management in the very old (individualize; avoid orthostasis; SPRINT-type intensive control benefits some but risks falls), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (common in elders), atrial fibrillation and stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc), and acute coronary syndromes with atypical presentations (dyspnea, fatigue, syncope rather than chest pain).
271 words, about 1 min05Endocrine, Metabolic, and Renal Disorders
Diabetes in older adults: individualized A1c targets (looser, e.g., <8% or higher with comorbidity) because hypoglycemia is dangerous. Avoid sulfonylureas and insulin regimens that risk hypoglycemia; metformin is first-line if renal function permits.
244 words, about 1 min06Musculoskeletal and Rheumatologic Disorders
Osteoporosis: screen with DXA (women ≥65, men ≥70 or risk factors); assess fracture risk (FRAX); treat with bisphosphonates, calcium/vitamin D, and fall prevention. Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis; manage with exercise, weight loss, acetaminophen/NSAIDs cautiously (renal/GI risk).
257 words, about 1 min07Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders
Stroke and TIA: recognize acute deficits, time of onset, and thrombolysis windows; secondary prevention (antiplatelet/anticoagulation, BP, lipids). Parkinson disease: resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia; treat with levodopa; watch for orthostasis, hallucinations, and drug interactions.
222 words, about 1 min08Infectious Disease and Immunization
Older adults have immunosenescence and atypical infection presentations: absence of fever, blunted leukocytosis, and delirium as the first sign. Common infections: pneumonia, urinary tract infection, skin/soft tissue, and sepsis.
230 words, about 1 min09Pharmacology and Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are central. Use Beers Criteria and STOPP/START to identify PIMs: anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, long-acting sulfonylureas, NSAIDs, and sedative-hypnotics.
210 words, about 1 min10Palliative Care, Pain Management, and End-of-Life Care
Palliative care focuses on symptom relief and goals, not just hospice. Assess pain with validated tools (including for dementia patients via behavioral scales).
241 words, about 1 min11Preventive Care, Nutrition, and Health Maintenance
Preventive care in elders is individualized by life expectancy and goals. Screen for hypertension, colorectal cancer (age-limited), breast cancer (individualize), osteoporosis, and depression; vaccinate per schedule.
224 words, about 1 min12Ethics, Legal Issues, and Long-Term Care Systems
Core ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice. Capacity is decision-specific and assessed clinically; competence is a legal determination.
237 words, about 1 min