OCC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which NSAID is preferred in elderly patients due to its shorter half-life and lack of active metabolites? → Ibuprofen
2. Which cranial nerve carries the afferent limb of the corneal reflex? → CN V ophthalmic branch (V1)
3. Which immunization is recommended annually for all persons aged 6 months and older in the US? → Influenza vaccine
4. A patient taking SSRIs for depression also takes tramadol for pain. What serious drug interaction should be monitored? → Serotonin syndrome
5. When transitioning a patient from inpatient to outpatient care, which intervention has the strongest evidence for reducing 30-day hospital readmissions? → Structured transition of care with follow-up phone call within 48 hours
6. A systematic review finds significant heterogeneity among included studies (I² = 78%). What does this indicate? → High variability across studies suggests caution in pooling results
7. Which medication class is first-line for chronic stable angina due to its ability to reduce heart rate, contractility, and myocardial oxygen demand? → Beta-blockers
8. How does osteopathic medicine view the relationship between structure and function? → Structure and function are interconnected.
9. A positive Babinski sign (upgoing plantar response) indicates a lesion of which neural pathway? → Corticospinal (pyramidal) tract
10. Which preventive health strategy targets an entire population rather than individuals identified as high-risk? → Population-based (mass) strategy
11. In the AOA OCC program, which component requires holding a valid, unrestricted license and adhering to the AOA Code of Ethics? → Professionalism (Component 1)
12. Which cranial bone is considered the 'keystone' of the cranial base, articulating with all other cranial bones? → Sphenoid
13. An osteopathic physician joins an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). What is the primary goal of an ACO? → Coordinate care to improve quality and reduce costs
14. What is the first step in patient assessment? → Obtaining a detailed medical history
15. Which study design is most appropriate for investigating the cause of a rare disease? → Case-control study
16. Which action is critical in medication administration? → Following the 'five rights' of medication administration
17. Why is reflective practice important in medical education? → It enhances self-awareness and continuous improvement
18. A patient on a fluoroquinolone antibiotic develops tendon pain. Which tendon is most commonly affected? → Achilles tendon
19. Under the Tarasoff principle, when may a physician breach confidentiality? → When a patient makes a credible threat of serious harm to an identifiable person
20. Which class of antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in bilateral renal artery stenosis? → ACE inhibitors and ARBs
21. What does patient confidentiality protect? → Protection of patient privacy and trust
22. A 45-year-old woman with no family history of colorectal cancer should begin screening at what age according to updated USPSTF guidelines? → 45 years
23. Why is patient communication critical in healthcare? → It builds trust and improves care outcomes
24. Which medication used for osteoporosis works by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption? → Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate)
25. In a diagnostic test evaluation, a test with high sensitivity is best used for which purpose? → Screening (ruling out disease when negative)
26. Why is continuing education essential for osteopathic physicians? → To maintain licensure and improve patient care
27. How does osteopathic medicine differ from allopathic medicine? → Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-body approach and manual treatments.
28. A patient asks about alcohol use. Which tool is a validated brief alcohol screening instrument used in primary care? → AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption)
29. What is the foundation of medical professionalism? → Commitment to ethical principles and patient care
30. Which type of medical malpractice insurance provides coverage only if the claim is filed while the policy is active, regardless of when the incident occurred? → Claims-made policy