ABPS Medical Knowledge & Clinical Practice Standards 2

Question 1

A 58-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes presents with an HbA1c of 9.2%. Which medication class has the strongest evidence for reducing cardiovascular mortality in this population?

Accepted Answer

SGLT-2 inhibitors

Answer

SGLT-2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin, canagliflozin) have demonstrated significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality in major outcomes trials such as EMPA-REG OUTCOME.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most appropriate first-line pharmacotherapy for newly diagnosed hypertension in a 45-year-old Black patient without comorbidities?

Accepted Answer

Thiazide diuretic or calcium channel blocker

Answer

JNC/AHA guidelines recommend thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers as first-line agents in Black patients due to lesser efficacy of ACE inhibitors and ARBs as monotherapy in this population.

Question 3

A physician is managing a patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation whose INR is consistently supratherapeutic. Which factor most commonly causes warfarin sensitivity to increase?

Accepted Answer

CYP2C9 loss-of-function polymorphism

Answer

CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants reduce warfarin metabolism, increasing plasma levels and anticoagulation effect.

Question 4

According to current USPSTF guidelines, at what age should average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening?

Accepted Answer

45 years

Answer

The USPSTF updated its 2021 guidelines to recommend colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 for average-risk adults.

Question 5

A 70-year-old woman is found to have a vertebral compression fracture on imaging. Her T-score on DEXA scan is -2.7. Which medication provides both antifracture efficacy and has the best evidence for reducing hip fractures?

Accepted Answer

Alendronate

Answer

Alendronate (a bisphosphonate) has robust evidence from randomized controlled trials for reducing hip, vertebral, and non-vertebral fractures in osteoporosis.

(ABPS) American Board of Physician Specialties Certification Practice Test

(ABPS) American Board of Physician Specialties Certification Practice Test

ABPS Medical Knowledge & Clinical Practice Standards 2