Arab Board IM Final Written study guide
Arab Board IM Final Written · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board of Internal Medicine Final Written Examination is the written component of the specialty certification pathway for physicians training in internal medicine across the Arab region. It is intended for residents who have completed or are nearing completion of an accredited internal medicine training programme and who are preparing for consultant-level practice. The Arab Board IM Final Written study guide has 12 sections and about 3,647 words.
01Cardiology
Approach every cardiac stem by fixing the syndrome first (acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure, syncope, arrhythmia, valvular presentation) and then the haemodynamic state . Know the universal management triad for ACS: aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor, anticoagulation, and reperfusion within time targets (primary PCI within 120 minutes of first medical contact where achievable).
332 words, about 2 min02Pulmonology
Organise respiratory questions around physiology and pattern : obstructive versus restrictive, hypoxaemic versus hypercapnic, acute versus chronic. Interpret spirometry with the FEV1/FVC ratio (below 0.7 supports obstruction; reduced FVC with preserved ratio suggests restriction, confirmed by lung volumes).
299 words, about 1 min03Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Split the domain into luminal disease, pancreaticobiliary disease, and liver disease with its complications . For liver cases, always establish whether injury is hepatocellular or cholestatic (R-factor pattern), then screen for viral, autoimmune, metabolic and drug causes.
324 words, about 2 min04Nephrology
Think in three axes: acute versus chronic , prerenal versus renal versus postrenal , and the urine sediment plus biochemistry . Acute kidney injury is staged by creatinine and urine output criteria; the key early step is excluding obstruction (bladder scan, ultrasound) and assessing volume status.
318 words, about 2 min05Endocrinology and Metabolism
Approach endocrine problems with dynamic testing logic : establish whether a hormone axis is under- or overactive, then localise the lesion. For diabetes, know the diagnostic thresholds, the difference between type 1 and type 2 presentations, and the acute emergencies (diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state) with their fluid, insulin and potassium protocols.
289 words, about 1 min06Haematology and Oncology
Divide into anaemia, cytopenias, coagulopathy, haematological malignancy, and solid tumour emergencies . For anaemia, classify by mean corpuscular volume and reticulocyte response; for cytopenias, ask whether the marrow is failing, the periphery is destroying, or sequestration is occurring.
289 words, about 1 min07Infectious Diseases
Build answers around syndrome, host, and organism - then apply antimicrobial stewardship. Know the sepsis bundle (cultures before antibiotics, lactate, fluids, vasopressors for refractory hypotension) and the principles of source control.
301 words, about 2 min08Rheumatology and Immunology
Approach with pattern recognition : which joints (small versus large, symmetric versus asymmetric, axial versus peripheral), which extra-articular features, and which serology. Then decide whether the process is inflammatory, mechanical, or crystal-related.
298 words, about 1 min09Neurology
Localise the lesion first: cortex, brainstem, spinal cord, nerve, neuromuscular junction, or muscle - then define the time course (hyperacute, acute, chronic). In stroke, remember time is brain: recognise thrombolysis and thrombectomy windows, and distinguish ischaemic from haemorrhagic stroke before treatment.
292 words, about 1 min10General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
This domain rewards systematic assessment of the complex patient : multimorbidity, polypharmacy, falls, frailty, cognitive impairment and functional decline. Use a structured approach - comprehensive geriatric assessment covering medical, functional, psychological and social domains.
294 words, about 1 min11Dermatology and Clinical Pharmacology
For dermatology, describe the lesion morphology and distribution first, then decide whether the process is inflammatory, infective, autoimmune or neoplastic, and whether a biopsy is needed. For pharmacology, link every drug to its mechanism, its key adverse effects, and its interactions; the exam frequently tests adverse drug reactions and prescribing in organ impairment.
314 words, about 2 min12Critical Care and Emergency Medicine
Prioritise airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure , and treat the immediately life-threatening problem before completing the diagnosis. Use a systematic approach to shock (distributive, cardiogenic, hypovolaemic, obstructive) and match it to bedside findings and bedside ultrasound where available.
297 words, about 1 min