MRCP(UK) Part 1 study plan

Interpret 12-lead ECGs using a fixed six-step sequence (rate, rhythm, axis, intervals, hypertrophy, ischaemia/infarction) and state the diagnosis in one line

Differentiate the auscultatory findings of aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation, and link each to its expected pulse character and apex beat

Apply the immediate and early management pathways for STEMI, NSTEMI and unstable angina, including which patients need reperfusion and within what timeframe

Calculate CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and use them to justify anticoagulation and rate/rhythm strategy in atrial fibrillation

Classify heart failure by ejection fraction and list the four drug classes that alter mortality, with the reason each is used

Interpret arterial blood gases systematically, naming the primary acid-base disorder, calculating compensation and identifying mixed pictures

Distinguish obstructive from restrictive spirometry and state the expected transfer factor pattern in asthma, COPD, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis

Apply the stepwise pharmacological management of asthma and of COPD, including when to escalate and which add-on therapies are indicated

Recognise the radiological and clinical patterns that separate the common interstitial lung diseases and name a typical associated systemic condition for each

Outline the investigation and initial management of a suspected pulmonary embolism, including risk stratification and when thrombolysis is indicated

Differentiate pre-hepatic, hepatocellular and cholestatic liver biochemistry patterns and match each to three plausible causes

Calculate Child-Pugh and MELD scores and use them to explain prognosis and transplant referral thresholds

Distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease on clinical, endoscopic and histological grounds, and outline acute severe colitis management

Apply the risk stratification and endoscopic timing rules for upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Explain the mechanism, expected biochemistry and management of the main causes of acute pancreatitis, including severity scoring

Construct a diagnostic algorithm for hypoglycaemia, hypercalcaemia and hyponatraemia based on the first-line biochemical test in each

Interpret thyroid function tests in the common discordant patterns and name the condition each pattern represents

Apply the diagnostic criteria and initial pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes, and state the drug classes that carry cardiovascular or renal benefit

Differentiate the causes of adrenal insufficiency and outline the short Synacthen and dexamethasone suppression test protocols

Recognise the clinical and biochemical features of Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly and phaeochromocytoma and state the confirmatory test for each

Calculate the anion gap and the osmolal gap and use both to narrow the differential of a metabolic acidosis

Interpret urinalysis and urine microscopy and match red cell morphology and casts to the likely glomerular or tubulointerstitial process

Classify acute kidney injury by cause and apply the criteria for when to dialyse urgently

Stage chronic kidney disease by eGFR and albuminuria and list the interventions that slow progression, including the indications for an ACE inhibitor or ARB

Explain the pathophysiology and initial management of hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia and nephrotic-range proteinuria

Localise a lesion to cortex, brainstem, spinal cord root, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction or muscle using the neurological history and examination pattern

Differentiate the causes, investigation and treatment of acute stroke syndromes and recognise the time window for thrombolysis and thrombectomy

Interpret cerebrospinal fluid findings to separate bacterial, viral, tuberculous and autoimmune meningitis

Classify the epilepsies and status epilepticus management steps, and name the first-line drug for each seizure type

Recognise the classic presentations of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and myasthenia gravis and name the confirmatory investigation for each

Interpret the full blood count with a blood film description and match anaemia morphology (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic) to its commonest causes

Explain the investigation and urgent management of a suspected haematological emergency: neutropenic sepsis, febrile transfusion reaction and tumour lysis syndrome

Outline the coagulation screen interpretation and initial approach to bleeding versus thrombosis, including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Apply the exposure history, incubation period and travel history to select the likely tropical infection and its first-line treatment

Classify skin lesions by morphology and describe three dermatological emergencies with their immediate management

Differentiate the inflammatory arthritides using joint distribution, pattern of stiffness and extra-articular features, and state the autoantibody most associated with each

Explain the mechanisms and monitoring requirements of the common disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and of the drugs with narrow therapeutic indices tested in the exam

Apply the principles of clinical pharmacology - kinetics, interactions, enzyme induction and inhibition - to predict the effect of adding or stopping a drug

Recall the antidotes and reversal agents for the common poisonings and drug overdoses, including paracetamol, opioids, benzodiazepines, warfarin and organophosphates

Apply a structured approach to falls, delirium, polypharmacy and capacity assessment in the older patient