Internal Medicine Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 29 highest-yield Internal Medicine Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Von Willebrand disease most characteristically presents with which bleeding pattern? → Mucocutaneous bleeding such as epistaxis and menorrhagia
2. It was shown for patients with A. Rate control outperformed rhythm control. → What did the AFFIRM trial show?
3. A patient with sickle cell disease presents with an acute vaso-occlusive pain crisis. What is the MOST important initial management step? → IV fluids and adequate analgesia
4. The JAK2 V617F mutation is present in approximately what percentage of polycythemia vera cases? → Greater than 95% of cases
5. Which of the following patients meets the 2021 USPSTF criteria for annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT)? → A 65-year-old with a 22 pack-year smoking history who quit smoking 10 years ago.
6. Which of the following statements about a ventilator with volume control is false? → Pressure is controlled
7. Which anticoagulant requires NO dose adjustment in patients with severe renal failure? → Warfarin
8. Which of the following clinical parameters is a component of the CURB-65 score for assessing the severity of community-acquired pneumonia? → A respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths per minute
9. Which of the following findings is an absolute indication for initiating urgent hemodialysis in a patient with acute kidney injury? → Uremic pericarditis with a friction rub
10. Hereditary spherocytosis is caused by a defect in which cellular component? → Spectrin or ankyrin proteins in the RBC membrane
11. Which finding on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is characteristic of multiple myeloma? → M-spike representing a monoclonal protein
12. Which of the following is the most significant contraindication to the use of teriparatide for the treatment of severe osteoporosis? → Prior radiation therapy to the skeleton
13. Pernicious anemia results from which underlying mechanism? → Autoimmune destruction of parietal cells leading to intrinsic factor deficiency
14. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) typically develops at what time point after heparin initiation? → 5-10 days after starting heparin
15. What is the first-line treatment for iron deficiency anemia in a hemodynamically stable patient? → Oral ferrous sulfate supplementation
16. Which laboratory test is used to monitor patients on warfarin therapy? → Prothrombin time/INR (PT/INR)
17. A patient with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is at highest risk for which complication? → Arterial and venous thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss
18. Which lab finding best distinguishes iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease? → Low serum ferritin
19. A 65-year-old man presents with Hgb 7.5 g/dL, MCV 110 fL, and hypersegmented neutrophils on peripheral smear. What is the most appropriate next step? → Serum B12 and folate levels
20. A patient with G6PD deficiency develops acute hemolytic anemia after starting primaquine. What is the underlying mechanism? → Oxidative stress causing Heinz body formation and hemolysis
21. 1) RVH 2) VSF 3) Overriding Aorta 4) Pulmonary Artery Stenosis → What are the 4 features of tetrology of fallot?
22. Which combination of laboratory findings is most characteristic of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)? → Elevated D-dimer, prolonged PT/aPTT, low fibrinogen, and thrombocytopenia
23. It was shown for patients with A. Rate control outperformed rhythm control. → What did the AFFIRM trial show?
24. Reed-Sternberg cells on lymph node biopsy are pathognomonic for which hematologic malignancy? → Hodgkin lymphoma
25. Which set of clinical features best describes the CRAB criteria used to diagnose symptomatic multiple myeloma? → HyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesions
26. A patient has a prolonged PT but normal aPTT. Deficiency of which coagulation factor is most likely responsible? → Factor VII
27. A patient develops fever, chills, flank pain, and hemoglobinuria 30 minutes into a blood transfusion. What is the most likely cause? → Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction due to ABO incompatibility
28. A 70-year-old man has a WBC of 45,000/µL with small mature lymphocytes on smear. Flow cytometry shows CD5+/CD19+/CD23+. What is the most likely diagnosis? → Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
29. A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue and pallor. Labs show Hgb 8.2 g/dL, MCV 72 fL, and low serum ferritin. What is the most likely diagnosis? → Iron deficiency anemia