MD Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MD facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Podocyte injury leading to foot process effacement is the hallmark of which glomerular disease? → Minimal change disease
2. Which of the following best describes a region of dead cardiac tissue? → An infarct
3. Which tumor lysis syndrome lab abnormality can directly cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias? → Hyperkalemia
4. A newborn is found to have bilateral renal agenesis, oligohydramnios, pulmonary hypoplasia, and limb deformities. What syndrome is this? → Potter sequence
5. Which feature best distinguishes a Todd's paralysis from an acute ischemic stroke? → Gradual resolution over minutes to hours after a seizure
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which mechanism best explains its glucose-lowering effect? → Inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis via AMPK activation
7. A 45-year-old woman presents with episodic flushing, diarrhea, and wheezing. Urine 5-HIAA levels are markedly elevated. What is the most likely diagnosis? → Carcinoid syndrome
8. A 40-year-old man presents with symmetric proximal muscle weakness, elevated CK, and a heliotrope rash around the eyes. What is the most likely diagnosis? → Dermatomyositis
9. What is the most common cause of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)? → Uterine atony
10. 'Osteoporosis' involves which combining form meaning bone? → Osteo-
11. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening test for colorectal cancer in an average-risk 45-year-old? → Colonoscopy every 10 years
12. A 4-year-old girl has fever, rash, uveitis, and arthritis affecting fewer than 5 joints. ANA is positive. What is the greatest long-term ocular risk? → Chronic anterior uveitis leading to band keratopathy and blindness
13. The suffix '-algia' means: → Pain
14. Which finding on colonoscopy is most characteristic of Crohn's disease compared to ulcerative colitis? → Skip lesions with cobblestoning
15. Eclampsia differs from preeclampsia by the additional presence of: → New-onset grand mal seizures
16. Pulsus paradoxus (>10 mmHg fall in SBP with inspiration) is caused by which mechanism in cardiac tamponade? → Exaggerated interventricular dependence as RV filling compromises LV filling
17. Which ultraviolet radiation type is most strongly associated with melanoma development? → UVA (320-400 nm)
18. A patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics develops profuse watery diarrhea. Stool toxin assay is positive for toxin B. Which antibiotic is first-line treatment? → Vancomycin (oral)
19. Seborrheic dermatitis preferentially affects which body regions? → Scalp, face, and anterior chest
20. Which investigation is most specific for diagnosing herpes simplex encephalitis? → CSF HSV PCR
21. What does 'bilateral' mean? → Both sides
22. Which of the following expressions describes the restriction of comfortable breathing to upright postures? → Orthopnea
23. Which ventilator setting change is most appropriate for a patient with ARDS who develops worsening hypoxemia despite FiO2 of 0.6 and PEEP of 10 cmH2O? → Increase PEEP to 14-16 cmH2O
24. A patient with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism is started on levothyroxine. When should TSH be rechecked to assess adequacy of dosing? → After 4–6 weeks
25. Which of the following is the fundamental pathogenic mechanism underlying Myasthenia Gravis? → Antibody-mediated destruction of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors
26. Which of the following describes a white blood cell count that is abnormally low? → Leukopenia
27. A 55-year-old woman with known cirrhosis presents with confusion, asterixis, and elevated ammonia. What precipitant should be ruled out first? → Gastrointestinal bleeding
28. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is most commonly caused by: → Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis
29. Which spinal canal segment will exhibit secondary curves with a concavity that is reversed? → Cervical
30. Which mechanism best explains why metformin is the preferred first-line agent for type 2 diabetes in most patients? → Decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity