- Cardiovascular
ACC/AHA BP Categories
Normal <120/80; Elevated 120–129 and <80; Stage 1 130–139 or 80–89; Stage 2 140/90 or higher.
- Cardiovascular
CHA₂DS₂-VASc Threshold
Anticoagulate atrial fibrillation at a score of 2+ in men, 3+ in women. Score 0 (men) or 1 (women): no anticoagulation.
- Respiratory
GOLD COPD Criterion
Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below 0.70 confirms persistent airflow limitation. GOLD grades 1–4 then use FEV1 percent predicted.
- Endocrine
Prediabetes Ranges
A1C 5.7–6.4%; fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL; 2-hour OGTT 140–199 mg/dL.
- Endocrine
DKA vs HHS
DKA: glucose >250, pH <7.3, marked ketones, anion-gap acidosis. HHS: glucose >600, pH >7.3, minimal ketones, osmolality >320.
- Women's Health
USPSTF 2024 Mammography
Biennial screening mammography from age 40 to 74 for average-risk women — lowered from 50 in the 2024 recommendation.
- GI
LFT Patterns
Hepatocellular: AST/ALT rise predominates (hepatitis, NAFLD, toxins). Cholestatic: alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin predominate.
- Musculoskeletal
Gout vs Pseudogout Crystals
Gout: needle-shaped urate crystals, negatively birefringent, favors first MTP. Pseudogout: rhomboid CPPD, positively birefringent, favors knee.
- Neurology
Stroke Thrombolysis Window
IV thrombolysis within 4.5 hours of last-known-well, after CT excludes hemorrhage. Thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion up to 24 hours by imaging.
- GU/Renal
First-Line for Uncomplicated Cystitis
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg BID x5d, TMP-SMX DS BID x3d (if resistance <20%), or fosfomycin 3 g once. Fluoroquinolones are not first-line.
- GU/Renal
KDIGO eGFR Stages
G1 ≥90, G2 60–89, G3a 45–59, G3b 30–44, G4 15–29, G5 <15. G1–G2 need a damage marker to count as CKD.
- Dermatology
Isotretinoin Safety
Teratogenic: iPLEDGE requires 2 negative pregnancy tests and 2 forms of contraception. Monitor fasting lipids and LFTs.
- Psychiatric
GAD-7 Severity Bands
5 mild, 10 moderate, 15 severe. A score of 10 or higher warrants further evaluation and likely treatment.
- Hematology
Warfarin Targets & Reversal
Goal INR 2–3 for AF and VTE (2.5–3.5 for mechanical mitral valve). Reverse major bleeding with 4-factor PCC plus IV vitamin K.
- Hematology
Anemia First Step
Read the MCV: microcytic <80, normocytic 80–100, macrocytic >100 — then use the reticulocyte count to split hypo- vs hyper-proliferative.
- Infectious Disease
Active TB Regimen
RIPE (rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) for 2 months, then rifampin + isoniazid for 4 more. Add B6 with isoniazid.
- Cardiovascular
ACC/AHA BP Categories
Normal <120/80; Elevated 120–129 and <80; Stage 1 130–139 or 80–89; Stage 2 140/90 or higher.
- Cardiovascular
CHA₂DS₂-VASc Threshold
Anticoagulate atrial fibrillation at a score of 2+ in men, 3+ in women. Score 0 (men) or 1 (women): no anticoagulation.
- Respiratory
GOLD COPD Criterion
Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below 0.70 confirms persistent airflow limitation. GOLD grades 1–4 then use FEV1 percent predicted.
- Endocrine
Prediabetes Ranges
A1C 5.7–6.4%; fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL; 2-hour OGTT 140–199 mg/dL.
- Endocrine
DKA vs HHS
DKA: glucose >250, pH <7.3, marked ketones, anion-gap acidosis. HHS: glucose >600, pH >7.3, minimal ketones, osmolality >320.
- Women's Health
USPSTF 2024 Mammography
Biennial screening mammography from age 40 to 74 for average-risk women — lowered from 50 in the 2024 recommendation.
- GI
LFT Patterns
Hepatocellular: AST/ALT rise predominates (hepatitis, NAFLD, toxins). Cholestatic: alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin predominate.
- Musculoskeletal
Gout vs Pseudogout Crystals
Gout: needle-shaped urate crystals, negatively birefringent, favors first MTP. Pseudogout: rhomboid CPPD, positively birefringent, favors knee.
- Neurology
Stroke Thrombolysis Window
IV thrombolysis within 4.5 hours of last-known-well, after CT excludes hemorrhage. Thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion up to 24 hours by imaging.
- GU/Renal
First-Line for Uncomplicated Cystitis
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg BID x5d, TMP-SMX DS BID x3d (if resistance <20%), or fosfomycin 3 g once. Fluoroquinolones are not first-line.
- GU/Renal
KDIGO eGFR Stages
G1 ≥90, G2 60–89, G3a 45–59, G3b 30–44, G4 15–29, G5 <15. G1–G2 need a damage marker to count as CKD.
- Dermatology
Isotretinoin Safety
Teratogenic: iPLEDGE requires 2 negative pregnancy tests and 2 forms of contraception. Monitor fasting lipids and LFTs.
- Psychiatric
GAD-7 Severity Bands
5 mild, 10 moderate, 15 severe. A score of 10 or higher warrants further evaluation and likely treatment.
- Hematology
Warfarin Targets & Reversal
Goal INR 2–3 for AF and VTE (2.5–3.5 for mechanical mitral valve). Reverse major bleeding with 4-factor PCC plus IV vitamin K.
- Hematology
Anemia First Step
Read the MCV: microcytic <80, normocytic 80–100, macrocytic >100 — then use the reticulocyte count to split hypo- vs hyper-proliferative.
- Infectious Disease
Active TB Regimen
RIPE (rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) for 2 months, then rifampin + isoniazid for 4 more. Add B6 with isoniazid.