Ranked by 12 years of examiner behaviour — frequency, recency, distractor pipeline, and subject trend.
Jump to the full 400-topic library →The most-repeated topic in 12 years of CMS. The classic trap: confusing host factors (diabetes, steroids, malnutrition) with operative factors (wound class, duration). Both count.
Sequence matters: calcium gluconate first (membrane stabilisation), then insulin-dextrose (intracellular shift), then kayexalate or dialysis (removal). Distractors swap the order.
Asked in back-to-back years (2024 AND 2025). Consecutive repeats convert to triple-repeats 17.6% of the time. Strongest single bet on this list.
Strong option-conversion signal. Examiner banks on confusion with Crohn's — skip lesions, transmural vs submucosal, caseation presence are the discriminators.
3-year gap, fits the examiner's cycle. IUCD (first 3 weeks), multiple partners, adolescent age, douching — the classic four.
Current criteria are 2010 ACR/EULAR. Distractors still push the outdated 1987 criteria. Anti-CCP > RF for specificity.
Neurology is rising (+2.3%). IVIG vs plasmapheresis — both work, equal efficacy. Steroids do NOT work in GBS.
MDR = resistance to at least INH AND rifampicin. ID cycle is due for a spike in 2026 — this topic is a front-runner.
6-year gap, statistically due. The classic trio: hypocalcemia (citrate), hypothermia, coagulopathy (dilutional). Add hyperkalemia for large volumes.
4-year rule fits perfectly — last asked 2022. DSM-5 collapsed the Asperger's/PDD-NOS distinction. Social communication + restricted behaviours.
Avoid estrogen (COCs). Safe options: POPs, DMPA, IUCDs (both Cu and LNG), barrier methods. Examiner tests the estrogen exclusion.
Perennial favourite. Last appeared 2022 — due. Social smile (6-8wks), sits without support (6mo), walks alone (12mo), two-word sentences (24mo).
HRCT is gold standard (tram-tracks, signet ring, bronchoarterial ratio >1). Distractor: bronchography (obsolete).
Long gap then returned 2025. New lesions at sites of trauma. Also seen in lichen planus, vitiligo, warts.
Autosomal recessive, CFTR gene on chromosome 7 (ΔF508). Sweat chloride >60 mmol/L diagnostic.
EBV infection. Heterophile antibody (monospot) test. Amoxicillin triggers rash — classic exam trap.
Immunocompromised pattern. Owl-eye inclusion bodies on biopsy. Ganciclovir first-line.
VZIG within 10 days of exposure for non-immune mothers. Acyclovir if chickenpox develops. Live vaccine contraindicated in pregnancy.
Recent recurrence (2023 and 2025). Stool O&P (3 samples), stool antigen (ELISA), string test for refractory. Metronidazole treatment.
Last 2021 — due on 5-year cycle. Dermatitis herpetiformis, T1DM, Down syndrome, IgA deficiency. Iron-deficiency anaemia a common presenting clue.
Timeline-based: bacterial (pre-engraftment <30d), fungal (Aspergillus, Candida), then viral (CMV 30-100d, EBV, HHV6).
Functional asplenia from repeated splenic infarction. Penicillin prophylaxis from 2 months to 5 years. PCV13 + PPSV23 vaccination mandatory.
New entry, strong pipeline signal. Pre-hepatic (portal vein thrombosis), hepatic (cirrhosis most common), post-hepatic (Budd-Chiari).
First-line: corticosteroids. Emergency (bleeding): IVIG + platelets. Chronic/refractory: rituximab, TPO agonists, splenectomy last.
Luteal phase — day 21-23 of a 28-day cycle. Secretory endometrium confirms ovulation. Progesterone >10 ng/mL equivalent.
Every topic ranked. Every PYQ linked. Progress tracking and the full 400-topic library — included with every PrepCMS subscription.
NPO, aggressive fluids (Ringer's Lactate 5-10 mL/kg/hr), pain control, anti-emetics. No antibiotics unless infected necrosis.
Pseudocyst (>4 weeks, fluid + encapsulated), walled-off necrosis, acute peripancreatic collection. Atlanta 2012 classification.
Intestinal metaplasia (goblet cells) replacing squamous epithelium. 30-125× adenocarcinoma risk. PPI + endoscopic surveillance every 3-5 years.
Pearl index. Perfect vs typical use. IUCD <1%, COC 0.3/9%, condom 2/18%, rhythm 5/24%, sterilisation <0.5%.
Duodenal biopsy with villous atrophy + crypt hyperplasia (Marsh-Oberhuber classification). Anti-tTG IgA screen, but biopsy is gold standard.
Systemic: ARDS, AKI, shock, DIC. Local: pseudocyst, necrosis, abscess, splenic vein thrombosis.
Ringer's Lactate > Normal Saline. 5-10 mL/kg/hr for first 12-24 hrs. Target: urine output >0.5 mL/kg/hr, HR <120, MAP 65-85.
High-flow O2, nebulised salbutamol + ipratropium, IV/oral steroids, IV magnesium sulphate if refractory. Intubate if exhaustion or silent chest.
Post-streptococcal. Labetalol or nicardipine IV for hypertensive emergency. Avoid over-rapid BP reduction — risk of ischemia.
Arrhythmias #1 killer in first 24 hrs (VF). RV infarct with inferior MI → preload-sensitive. Mechanical: papillary muscle rupture, VSD, free wall.
Strasberg classification of bile duct injuries (A through E). Most common: cystic duct leak (Type A). Major injuries (D, E) need HJ anastomosis.
Microcytic hypochromic. Low ferritin (<30 ng/mL), low transferrin saturation (<20%), high TIBC. Ferritin is acute-phase reactant — may be falsely normal.
Levothyroxine 1.6 μg/kg/day. Monitor TSH every 6-8 weeks until stable, target 0.5-2.5 mIU/L. Start lower (25-50 μg) in elderly and cardiac patients.
Unilateral RAS → reduced renal perfusion → RAAS activation → high aldosterone. Captopril test diagnostic. Treat with ACE-I (cautiously) or revascularisation.
Non-selective beta-blockers mask hypoglycaemia symptoms (tremor, tachycardia). Cardioselective (metoprolol, bisoprolol) preferred in diabetics.
No radiation, real-time, portable, cheap. Operator-dependent. Sensitivity/specificity vary by application. Doppler for vascular.
4-year rule — last 2022, due 2026. α1-antitrypsin clearance (stool measurement). Edema + hypoalbuminaemia without proteinuria or liver disease.
β-hCG + TVUS. Discriminatory zone 1500-2000 mIU/mL. Empty uterus + β-hCG above zone = ectopic. Methotrexate if stable and criteria met.
Chest indrawing, cyanosis, inability to drink, convulsions, lethargy, stridor at rest. Refer urgently. Pre-refer antibiotic (amoxicillin).
Autosomal recessive. Medullary cysts, tubular atrophy. Progresses to renal failure in childhood/adolescence. Distinguish from ADPKD (AD, larger kidneys).
Eggshell calcification of hilar nodes, upper lobe fibrosis, reticulonodular pattern. Increases actual TB risk 3-fold — silico-tuberculosis.
STEMI: ST elevation >1 mm in 2 contiguous leads (>2 mm in V2-V3 for men). New LBBB. Reciprocal ST depression. Territory maps to coronary artery.
Apex, pansystolic, radiates to axilla. Best heard in left lateral decubitus, end-expiration, with bell. Differentiate from TR (tricuspid area, Carvallo's sign).
Paediatric-dosed: calcium gluconate 0.5 mL/kg IV, insulin 0.1 u/kg + dextrose 0.5 g/kg, salbutamol nebulisation, kayexalate 1 g/kg. Dialysis if refractory.
TNM 8th edition (AJCC). T by size (<2, 2-5, >5 cm), N by nodal involvement, M by distant mets. Stage 0 (DCIS) through Stage IV.
This page
Full library
All 400 ranked topics, weekly updates, progress tracking and PYQ links — included with every PrepCMS subscription.
Create free accountFree account in 10 seconds. Subscribe anytime to unlock all 400 topics.
12-year data methodology·400 ranked topics·Weekly updates