ABPS Internal Medicine study guide
ABPS Internal Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABPS Internal Medicine board certification examination is a single-best-answer, multiple-choice assessment intended for physicians who have completed an internal medicine residency and who wish to demonstrate mastery of adult medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties pathway rather than through the larger, more familiar internal medicine board. It is aimed at general internists in hospital, outpatient, and multispecialty practice, and at physicians who hold or are seeking hospital privileges and payer credentialing that recognize board certification. The ABPS Internal Medicine study guide has 12 sections and about 3,177 words.
01Cardiovascular Disease
Candidates must be fluent in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure phenotypes, atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, pericardial disease, aortic dissection, and hypertensive emergencies. For ACS, know the distinction between STEMI and NSTEMI, the role of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, anticoagulation, and reperfusion timing.
298 words, about 1 min02Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care
Focus on asthma and COPD exacerbations, community-acquired pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion, ARDS, and sepsis physiology. Asthma management centers on inhaled beta-agonists, ipratropium, systemic steroids, and magnesium for severe cases; avoid routine antibiotics.
283 words, about 1 min03Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Master upper and lower GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis and its complications, inflammatory bowel disease, and viral hepatitis. Upper bleeding is stabilized first, then endoscopy; variceal bleeding adds octreotide and prophylactic ceftriaxone.
267 words, about 1 min04Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Expect questions on diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, calcium and sodium disorders, pituitary disease, and outpatient diabetes pharmacology. In DKA, total body potassium is depleted even when serum potassium is normal or high; insulin is withheld until potassium is at least 3.3 mEq/L.
268 words, about 1 min05Infectious Disease
Sepsis recognition and source control, meningitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, HIV, Clostridioides difficile, and skin and soft tissue infection dominate. Sepsis care begins with cultures and broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first hour for septic shock, plus fluids and lactate.
267 words, about 1 min06Nephrology and Fluid/Electrolyte Disorders
Know AKI staging, prerenal versus intrinsic versus postrenal physiology, urine indices, CKD staging by GFR and albuminuria, glomerular disease patterns, and acid-base interpretation. Prerenal AKI shows bland urine sediment, fractional excretion of sodium below 1% in the absence of diuretics, and rapid response to volume.
286 words, about 1 min07Hematology and Oncology
Anemia classification by MCV, iron studies, B12 and folate, hemolysis markers, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, leukemia and lymphoma presentations, oncologic emergencies, and transfusion medicine. Microcytic anemia with low ferritin means iron deficiency; anemia of chronic disease shows low iron, low TIBC, and normal or high ferritin.
249 words, about 1 min08Geriatrics, Preventive Medicine, and Multisystem Care
Geriatrics rewards function over disease labels: ADLs and IADLs, gait and falls, polypharmacy, delirium, dementia, incontinence, pressure injury, advance care planning, and elder mistreatment. Preventive medicine covers USPSTF screening ages, immunizations, smoking cessation, and counseling.
242 words, about 1 min09Rheumatology and Immunology
Differentiate inflammatory arthritis from degenerative and infectious arthritis, and know the systemic connective tissue diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, scleroderma, and the vasculitides. Gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition are crystal arthritides diagnosed by joint aspiration.
257 words, about 1 min10Neurology
Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, seizure and status epilepticus, headache syndromes including subarachnoid hemorrhage and migraine, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy. Acute stroke care begins with glucose and noncontrast CT to exclude hemorrhage; thrombolysis is time-dependent and contraindicated with active bleeding, recent surgery, or uncontrolled hypertension.
258 words, about 1 min11Dermatology
Learn primary lesions and distribution patterns: macule, papule, plaque, vesicle, bulla, pustule, and wheal. Common tested entities include eczematous dermatitis, psoriasis, drug eruptions, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, cellulitis, stasis dermatitis, herpes zoster, scabies, urticaria, and melanoma.
253 words, about 1 min12Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum illness, anxiety disorders, substance use and withdrawal, delirium, suicide risk assessment, and psychopharmacology. Depression requires at least five symptoms for two weeks with functional impairment; bipolar disorder requires a manic or hypomanic episode, and antidepressants alone can trigger mania.
249 words, about 1 min