Medical Knowledge Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is the correct technique for measuring blood pressure? → Use a properly sized cuff on the bare arm at heart level with the patient seated
2. What are the four required elements to prove medical malpractice? → Duty, breach of standard of care, causation, and damages
3. A Pap smear (Papanicolaou test) is performed primarily to screen for which condition? → Cervical cancer and precancerous cervical cellular changes
4. What is the primary pathological feature of emphysema? → Permanent destruction of alveolar walls reducing gas exchange surface area
5. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) used to assess? → Neurological function and level of consciousness
6. What does 'PRN' mean in a medication order? → As needed
7. What does the suffix '-itis' indicate? → Inflammation
8. The term 'nephrology' is the study of which organ? → Kidneys
9. Which condition involves autoimmune demyelination in the central nervous system? → Multiple sclerosis
10. What is the therapeutic index of a drug? → Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose
11. What is the purpose of an indwelling Foley catheter? → Drain urine continuously from the bladder
12. Which imaging modality provides the best soft tissue evaluation for structures such as tendons and ligaments? → Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
13. Which combining form refers to the stomach? → Gastro-
14. What does 'dyspnea' mean? → Difficulty breathing
15. What is the correct angle for a subcutaneous injection? → 45–90 degrees depending on tissue depth
16. What does patient autonomy mean in medical ethics? → The patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare
17. A chest X-ray is most useful for primarily evaluating which structures? → Cardiac silhouette, lung fields, and mediastinum
18. What is the primary purpose of a chest X-ray in clinical practice? → Visualize thoracic structures to detect pathological abnormalities
19. What defines anemia? → Reduced hemoglobin or red blood cell mass below normal
20. Which enzyme family in the liver is primarily responsible for drug metabolism? → Cytochrome P450
21. Which class of drugs inhibits COX enzymes to reduce inflammation? → NSAIDs
22. Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering blood and producing urine? → Kidney
23. Which bone is commonly known as the kneecap? → Patella
24. What is the purpose of an advance directive? → Document a patient's healthcare wishes before they lose decision-making capacity
25. What is the primary diagnostic purpose of urinalysis? → To assess kidney function and detect urinary tract abnormalities
26. A blood culture is primarily ordered to detect which condition? → Presence of bacteria or fungi circulating in the bloodstream
27. Which blood test is the most sensitive initial screening test for thyroid function disorders? → Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
28. What is the normal adult body temperature in Fahrenheit? → 98.6°F
29. What does the principle of non-maleficence mean? → Avoid causing unnecessary harm or minimize harm of interventions
30. What is the classic symptom triad of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus? → Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia