Arab Board Internal Medicine Part 1 study guide
Arab Board Internal Medicine Part 1 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board of Internal Medicine Part 1 is the written, computer-based examination that candidates sit before progressing to the clinical and final stages of training in internal medicine under the Arab Board of Health Specializations. It is aimed at physicians who have completed their internship and are entering or partway through structured internal medicine residency programmes in Arab countries, and it functions as a knowledge gate rather than a test of bedside skill. The Arab Board Internal Medicine Part 1 study guide has 12 sections and about 3,597 words.
01Cardiology
Master the acute coronary syndrome pathway: ECG territory-to-artery mapping, troponin kinetics, and when reperfusion (PCI vs fibrinolysis) is indicated. Know heart failure by ejection fraction, the four pillars of HFrEF therapy (ARNI/ACEi, beta-blocker, MRA, SGLT2 inhibitor), and diuretic titration.
277 words, about 1 min02Pulmonology
Build a framework around obstructive vs restrictive physiology: asthma and COPD show reduced FEV1/FVC with reversibility distinguishing them; restriction shows reduced FVC with preserved ratio. Know ABG interpretation in respiratory failure (type 1 vs type 2), the CURB-65 severity score for pneumonia, and the Wells/Geneva approach to suspected pulmonary embolism culminating in CT pulmonary angiography.
280 words, about 1 min03Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Organize around the GI bleed, the jaundiced patient, and chronic liver disease. Upper GI bleeding: resuscitate first, risk-stratify with Glasgow-Blatchford, give a PPI infusion for high-risk ulcers, and endoscope within 24 hours (sooner if unstable).
259 words, about 1 min04Nephrology and Fluid-Electrolyte Disorders
Understand the AKI workup: prerenal vs intrinsic vs postrenal, the fractional excretion of sodium (low in prerenal, high in ATN), urinalysis with muddy-brown casts in ATN, and the indications for urgent dialysis (AEIOU: acidosis, electrolytes, intoxication, overload, uremia). Know CKD staging by eGFR and albuminuria, the role of ACE inhibitors/SGLT2 inhibitors in slowing progression, and the management of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia (assess volume status and urine osmolality), and acid-base disorders using the anion gap and Winter's formula.
253 words, about 1 min05Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Cover thyroid disease (TSH as first-line test; primary hypothyroidism shows high TSH and low free T4; Graves disease shows suppressed TSH with diffuse uptake), adrenal disorders (primary adrenal insufficiency with hyperpigmentation and hyperkalemia; Cushing syndrome with dexamethasone suppression testing), pituitary disease, calcium metabolism (primary hyperparathyroidism vs malignancy-related hypercalcemia), and diabetes diagnosis and management (HbA1c ≥6.5%, fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, 2-hour OGTT ≥11.1 mmol/L). Know DKA and HHS management: fluids, insulin infusion, potassium replacement, and avoidance of cerebral edema.
258 words, about 1 min06Hematology and Oncology
Understand the anemias by MCV: microcytic (iron deficiency, thalassemia, anemia of chronic disease), normocytic (hemolysis, CKD, acute blood loss), macrocytic (B12/folate, alcohol, hypothyroidism, MDS). Know the iron studies pattern (low ferritin, low iron, high TIBC in iron deficiency; high ferritin, low TIBC in anemia of chronic disease).
267 words, about 1 min07Infectious Diseases
Focus on syndrome-based reasoning: sepsis (source control, early antibiotics, cultures before but not delaying therapy), meningitis (CSF profile interpretation, empiric therapy with vancomycin plus ceftriaxone plus ampicillin when Listeria is a concern), endocarditis (Duke criteria, blood cultures before antibiotics), and TB (latent vs active, IGRA vs tuberculin skin test, four-drug induction). Know the common organisms by site and host, antimicrobial mechanism and toxicity, and the principles of isolation and prophylaxis.
261 words, about 1 min08Rheumatology and Immunology
Understand the pattern-recognition approach to arthritis: monoarticular (septic, crystal, trauma), oligoarticular, and polyarticular (RA, SLE, viral). Know the serologies - rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP for RA, ANA for SLE with anti-dsDNA and anti-Smith as specific markers, and ANCA patterns (c-ANCA/PR3 for GPA, p-ANCA/MPO for MPA and EGPA).
253 words, about 1 min09Neurology
Master stroke localization and the time-critical pathway: recognize stroke, obtain non-contrast CT to exclude hemorrhage, and give thrombolysis within the window if eligible; thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion. Know the difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and the secondary prevention strategies.
248 words, about 1 min10General Internal Medicine
This domain rewards a systematic approach to the undifferentiated patient: history and physical, problem representation, and prioritized differential diagnosis. Know the perioperative risk assessment framework (cardiac risk indices, functional capacity, when to delay surgery), the approach to syncope (reflex, orthostatic, cardiac), and the management of common inpatient problems - delirium, falls, pressure ulcers, and polypharmacy.
259 words, about 1 min11Geriatrics and Clinical Pharmacology
Understand aging physiology: reduced renal clearance, decreased hepatic metabolism, altered body composition, and reduced homeostatic reserve. Know the principles of prescribing in older adults - start low, go slow, review regularly, and use tools like the Beers criteria and STOPP/START to identify potentially inappropriate medications.
249 words, about 1 min12Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
Understand study designs - randomized controlled trials, cohort, case-control, cross-sectional - and their strengths and weaknesses. Know measures of association (relative risk for cohort studies, odds ratio for case-control studies), measures of effect (absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat), and the interpretation of confidence intervals and p-values.
733 words, about 4 min