APMLE Part I case studies
APMLE Part I · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination (APMLE) is the examination series that a candidate must successfully complete to be eligible for licensure to practice podiatric medicine in the United States. It is developed and overseen by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME), a tax-exempt nonprofit organization established in 1956 that enacts policy, guides development, and oversees administration of the exams used for podiatric licensure. The APMLE Part I case studies are 5 cases and about 3,315 words.
1Foot Drop After a Closed Fibular Neck Fracture: Localizing and Timing the Lesion
A 47-year-old cyclist is struck by a car and sustains a closed fracture of the right fibular neck. Two days later he cannot dorsiflex or evert the right foot and reports numbness over the dorsum of the foot and the first web space.
652 words, about 3 min2Warfarin, Cellulitis, and a Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Interaction in Reduced Renal Function
A 74-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation (CHA2DS2-VASc 5) has taken warfarin 5 mg daily for six years, with INRs between 2.2 and 2.8 for the past 18 months. She presents with a 4-day history of right lower-leg cellulitis; an urgent-care clinician prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole DS twice daily for 10 days.
652 words, about 3 min3Choosing an Ankle-Foot Orthosis in Combined Dorsiflexor and Quadriceps Weakness
A 71-year-old man with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease has right lower-extremity strength of 3/5 in tibialis anterior, 4/5 in triceps surae, and 4/5 in quadriceps, with ankle dorsiflexion limited to −5° (5° of plantar flexion) when the knee is extended. He has a steppage gait and reports that his right knee 'collapses' in mid-stance without pain.
701 words, about 4 min4Chronic Diabetic Forefoot Ulcer With a Positive Probe-to-Bone Test
A 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 9.9%, creatinine 1.8 mg/dL) has a 3-cm ulcer beneath the first metatarsal head of the left foot, present for six weeks. Probe-to-bone is positive.
637 words, about 3 min5Capacitated Refusal of Amputation When a Surrogate Demands Everything Be Done
A 62-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis is admitted with a necrotic right forefoot, gas on imaging, temperature 38.9°C, heart rate 118/min, blood pressure 92/54 mmHg, and lactate 3.4 mmol/L. He is alert and oriented.
673 words, about 3 min