CAQ-Nephrology study guide
CAQ-Nephrology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AOA Osteopathic Board Certification in Nephrology is a subspecialty credential administered by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM), one of the AOA's specialty certifying boards. It is intended for osteopathic physicians who hold (or are completing) internal medicine certification and have finished nephrology fellowship training, and who want a board credential that documents subspecialty competence for credentialers, employers, and patients. The CAQ-Nephrology study guide has 5 sections and about 1,357 words.
01Glomerular and Tubulointerstitial Disease
This domain tests pattern recognition: separating nephritic from nephrotic syndromes, linking serology and biopsy findings to a diagnosis, and choosing initial management. Expect questions on complement levels, immunofluorescence patterns, and drug-induced tubulointerstitial disease.
304 words, about 2 min02Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders
This domain tests stepwise interpretation of sodium, potassium, and acid-base disorders, including mixed states and the urine studies that distinguish them. Hyponatremia: confirm hypo-osmolality, assess volume status, then check urine osmolality and urine sodium.
281 words, about 1 min03Acute Kidney Injury and Critical Care Nephrology
This domain tests KDIGO staging, differentiating prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal AKI, and managing dialysis indications in critically ill patients. KDIGO AKI: rise in creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours, ≥1.5× baseline within 7 days, or urine output <0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 hours.
256 words, about 1 min04Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Kidney Transplantation
This domain tests CKD definition and staging, recognition of systemic complications, dialysis adequacy, and transplant immunosuppression and rejection. CKD: GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² or markers of kidney damage for 3 months.
240 words, about 1 min05Hypertension and Renal Manifestations of Systemic Disease
This domain tests secondary hypertension workup, resistant hypertension, and kidney involvement in systemic diseases such as lupus, vasculitis, scleroderma, and myeloma. Secondary hypertension: consider in young patients, abrupt onset, refractory hypertension, hypokalemia, or flash pulmonary edema.
276 words, about 1 min