NBME CBSSA case studies
NBME CBSSA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
NBME® Self-Assessments are a family of practice assessments published by the National Board of Medical Examiners, described on the NBME site as tools to "evaluate your readiness and practice" for the USMLE®, an NBME Subject Exam, or the International Foundations of Medicine® (IFOM®) Exam. They are not a credential and confer no license; they are readiness checks taken before a high-stakes exam. The NBME CBSSA case studies are 5 cases and about 3,379 words.
1Recurrent Fasting Hypoglycemia With Lactic Acidosis in a Young Adult
A 24-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure at 7:00 AM. He slept through dinner the night before, so the seizure followed roughly 14 hours without food.
716 words, about 4 min2Anticoagulation After a Gastrointestinal Bleed in Atrial Fibrillation
A 71-year-old woman with permanent atrial fibrillation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure with an ejection fraction of 40% comes to clinic two months after a lower gastrointestinal bleed from colonic angiodysplasia. She required 3 units of packed red cells, hemostasis was achieved endoscopically, and she has had no bleeding since.
698 words, about 3 min3New Agitation on Hospital Day 2 in an Older Man With COPD
A 78-year-old man with COPD and mild cognitive impairment is hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation. On hospital day 2 he becomes agitated, pulls at his IV line, and does not know where he is; he was oriented and independent at home.
695 words, about 3 min4Forceful Vomiting and a Metabolic Alkalosis in a 5-Week-Old
A 5-week-old boy is brought for vomiting that began 6 days ago and has become forceful, projecting 30-60 cm, after nearly every feed. He is formula fed, takes 90 mL every 3 hours, and is hungry again immediately after vomiting.
646 words, about 3 min5Microcytic Anemia With a "Normal" Ferritin in a Postmenopausal Woman
A 52-year-old woman presents with 6 months of fatigue and exertional breathlessness. Menopause occurred 2 years ago, and she has no history of heavy menstrual bleeding.
624 words, about 3 min