Under Pressure
The new 2025 hypertension guidelines recommend starting pharmacologic treatment after how many months of unsuccessful lifestyle modification?
3–6 months
In terminal delirium, this antipsychotic is most commonly used for symptom control.
Haloperidol
In cirrhosis, screening for hepatocellular carcinoma should be performed with this test and at this interval.
ultrasound with or without AFP every 6 months
The 2023 AF guideline recommends this imaging test before rhythm control in newly diagnosed AF with unknown duration.
TEE (to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus)
In HIV, this CD4 count threshold indicates the need for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis.
CD4 <200 cells/µL
The updated advice on alcohol intake suggests abstinence, but for those who drink, what are the maximum daily limits for women and men?
≤1 drink/day for women, ≤2 drinks/day for men
The best management for refractory dyspnea at end of life despite opioids.
low-dose benzodiazepines
Colon cancer screening in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis should begin this many years after diagnosis.
8 years
In AF with HFrEF, this antiarrhythmic is preferred for rhythm control because of mortality benefit.
Amiodarone
In patients with MRSA bacteremia who fail to clear blood cultures on vancomycin, the preferred alternative agent per 2023 IDSA guidance is this.
Daptomycin
What daily sodium intake level is now targeted as optimal in the 2025 guidelines?
1,500 mg/day
A patient with advanced renal failure and severe cancer pain is poorly controlled on escalating morphine. Which long-acting opioid is the preferred choice in this setting?
fentanyl
A beaded appearance of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts on MRCP is diagnostic of this condition.
primary sclerosing cholangitis
In AF with stable CAD more than 1 year after PCI, the 2023 guideline recommends this antithrombotic strategy.
oral anticoagulation alone (DOAC preferred, no aspirin)
According to the 2023 IDSA guideline, this antibiotic is first-line therapy for initial Clostridioides difficile infection.
fidaxomicin
The 2025 guidelines link blood pressure control to reduced risk of what long-term brain-related condition?
cognitive decline and dementia
A patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer develops malignant ascites causing significant discomfort. Paracentesis provides only transient relief. What long-term intervention is most appropriate?
tunneled peritoneal catheter placement (PleurX catheter)
The preferred initial test for diagnosing suspected choledocholithiasis in a patient with intermediate probability.
endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or MRCP
For patients with AF who undergo cardioversion, anticoagulation should be continued for at least this duration afterward, regardless of baseline stroke risk.
4 weeks
This antifungal is the treatment of choice for severe disseminated coccidioidomycosis requiring hospitalization.
amphotericin B
Name the risk-assessment framework introduced in the guidelines that factors in BP, cholesterol, kidney/metabolic health, and geography.
PREVENT (Preventing Risk of cardiovascular disease Events)
In the last hours of life, a patient develops noisy upper-airway secretions (“death rattle”). Which pharmacologic class is most appropriate for symptom relief
anticholinergics (e.g., glycopyrrolate, scopolamine, atropine drops)
non-invasive tests like FIB-4 or transient elastography should be used for initial risk stratification in this liver disease
MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease)
In patients with AF and moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis, the only recommended anticoagulant is this.
Warfarin
According to IDSA guidelines, this agent is a first-line empiric antibiotic for febrile neutropenia.
Cefepime