A 52-year-old woman is given x-ray dye for the first time during a CT scan. Within minutes she has hives, wheezing and a falling blood pressure. How is this first-exposure reaction treated?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Anaphylaxis", Causes. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Immune System.
A 68-year-old man who began an ACE inhibitor for his blood pressure has sudden swelling of the lips. He has no hives, and the swelling does not itch. Which finding would make his angioedema an emergency?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Angioedema", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Immune System.
Blood and lymphoreticular system 2
A 20-year-old man with hemophilia A has a painful, swollen knee an hour after a minor fall. He has no fever and no break in the skin. What is the most likely cause of the swelling?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hemophilia A", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Blood & Lymphoreticular System.
A 41-year-old woman has a fever, confusion and bleeding into her skin. Her platelet count is very low, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is diagnosed. A lack of which enzyme lets her platelets clump?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Blood & Lymphoreticular System.
Show all 60 questions (56 more)
Behavioral health 2
A 24-year-old woman who takes an SSRI antidepressant took a migraine triptan 2 hours ago. She is agitated, with a fever, a tremor and overactive reflexes. Both medicines are stopped. Which medicine may be given for the agitation and muscle stiffness of serotonin syndrome?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Serotonin syndrome", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Behavioral Health.
A 46-year-old man who drank a pint of liquor a day for months stopped 3 days ago. He is confused, shaking and feverish, and sees insects on the wall. His wife asks to take him home with a prescription. What does delirium tremens call for?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Delirium tremens", Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Behavioral Health.
Nervous system and special senses 5
A 16-year-old is hit on the head by a baseball, blacks out briefly, then talks normally. An hour later he is drowsy and his right pupil is enlarged. With an epidural hematoma, where is weakness usually found?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Epidural hematoma", Symptoms; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Nervous System & Special Senses.
A 38-year-old roofer falls from a ladder and breaks his third lumbar vertebra. He has weakness and numbness in both legs. Why is an injury at this level not a spinal cord injury?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Spinal cord trauma", Causes; Symptoms. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Nervous System & Special Senses.
A 45-year-old man has a sudden headache, the worst of his life, that began with a snapping feeling in his head. A head CT without contrast is normal, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage is still suspected. What may be done next?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Subarachnoid hemorrhage", Symptoms; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Nervous System & Special Senses.
A 67-year-old woman has sudden severe pain in one red eye, cloudy vision, halos around lights and vomiting. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is diagnosed. What is the aim of the eye drops, pills and IV medicine she is given?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Glaucoma", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Nervous System & Special Senses.
A 71-year-old woman has sudden weakness of the right arm and trouble speaking. A CT scan shows no bleeding, and an angiogram shows a clot in a brain artery. Which procedure can remove the clot through a catheter?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Stroke", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Nervous System & Special Senses.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 2
A 29-year-old hiker rescued from a snowstorm has hard, pale, numb toes. She is also confused and drowsy. Which problem is treated first?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Frostbite", First Aid; Do Not. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue.
A 58-year-old man with diabetes has a very painful, bruise-like patch on his thigh that has grown within the hour. Its center is dusky, and he has a fever. Along with strong IV antibiotics, what does a necrotizing soft tissue infection need right away?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Necrotizing soft tissue infection", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue.
Musculoskeletal system 5
A 3-year-old will not use her left arm after being lifted by one hand over a curb. She holds the elbow slightly bent against her belly. How is nursemaid's elbow corrected?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Nursemaid's elbow", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Musculoskeletal System.
A 23-year-old man has muscle pain and cola-colored urine after running a marathon in the heat. Rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed. Which two blood changes should be treated right away?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Rhabdomyolysis", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Musculoskeletal System.
A 24-year-old man's forearm was crushed under a machine 3 hours ago. The forearm is swollen and pale, his fingers are numb, and he cannot extend his wrist. Which test confirms acute compartment syndrome?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Compartment syndrome", Symptoms; Exams and Tests; Treatment; Possible Complications. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Musculoskeletal System.
A 45-year-old carpenter cuts off his index finger with a saw, and direct pressure controls the bleeding. How should the finger be kept for possible reattachment?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Traumatic amputation", First Aid. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Musculoskeletal System.
A 70-year-old woman has a fever and a hot, swollen knee she cannot move, and the joint fluid grows Staphylococcus. Antibiotics are started, but fluid builds up again quickly. What may be done next?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Septic arthritis", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Musculoskeletal System.
Cardiovascular system 7
A 26-year-old woman has sudden palpitations and a heart rate of 200 a minute from PSVT. A Valsalva maneuver does not slow it. Which emergency treatment may be used next?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 29-year-old man is stabbed in the left chest. His blood pressure is low, his neck veins bulge and his heart sounds are faint. Which test is the test of choice for cardiac tamponade, done at the bedside?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cardiac tamponade", Causes; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 31-year-old man has had sharp chest pain since a chest cold. It is worse when he lies flat and eases when he leans forward, and a rubbing sound is heard over the heart. Which diagnosis fits best?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Pericarditis", Causes; Symptoms; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 57-year-old man with crushing chest pain for an hour has an ECG that shows a heart attack. This hospital cannot do angioplasty. Ideally, how soon after he arrives is a clot-dissolving medicine given?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Heart attack", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 63-year-old man with tearing chest pain has a dissection limited to the descending aorta. His blood pressure is 190/110 mm Hg. Which medicines are the first choice to lower it?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Aortic dissection", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 69-year-old man collapses in the waiting room. He is unresponsive, and the monitor shows the chaotic rhythm of ventricular fibrillation. Chest compressions are under way. Which treatment can restore a normal rhythm at once?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Ventricular fibrillation", Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
A 74-year-old man who smokes has a week of dull pain in his abdomen and back. The emergency physician feels a pulsating mass in the abdomen. Which test is done when an abdominal aortic aneurysm is first suspected?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Abdominal aortic aneurysm", Exams and Tests; Treatment; Outlook. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Cardiovascular System.
Respiratory system 7
A 16-year-old has a fever and severe throat pain on the left. The left side of the throat is swollen and the uvula is pushed to the right. A peritonsillar abscess has formed. What does it need?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Peritonsillar abscess", Symptoms; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
A 21-year-old man has sudden sharp chest pain on one side. A chest x-ray shows a small pneumothorax, and his oxygen level and blood pressure are normal. What may be all the treatment he needs?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
A 33-year-old woman is stabbed in the right chest. Breath sounds are absent on that side, and a chest x-ray shows blood in the pleural space. A chest tube is placed, but the bleeding does not stop. What may be needed?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hemothorax", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
A 35-year-old skier at 10,000 feet has had a headache and nausea for a day. He now has a cough, and crackles are heard in his lungs. What is the main treatment for every form of mountain sickness?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Acute mountain sickness", Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
A 61-year-old woman with a swollen calf has sudden chest pain and faints. Her blood pressure is very low, and a CT angiogram shows a large pulmonary embolus. In a life-threatening case like this, what may treatment involve beyond blood thinners?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Pulmonary embolus", Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
A 69-year-old woman with COPD has had worse shortness of breath and wheezing for 2 days, and her oxygen level is low. During a flare-up like this, which treatment may she receive?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
On a winter night a 40-year-old woman has a headache, dizziness and nausea, and so do her two children. They heat the house with an old furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is confirmed. Which treatment may be given in a special chamber?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Carbon monoxide poisoning", Symptoms; What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Respiratory System.
Gastrointestinal system 7
A 2-year-old swallowed a disk battery from a toy 2 hours ago. She is comfortable and breathing normally. What is done?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Foreign object - swallowed", Causes; First Aid. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
A 34-year-old man vomits bright red blood after a night of repeated, forceful vomiting. He has no liver disease, and his blood pressure is normal. Which is the most likely source?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Mallory-Weiss tear", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
A 60-year-old man with a peptic ulcer has sudden, severe abdominal pain. An x-ray shows air in the abdominal cavity. What does this free air mean?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Gastrointestinal perforation", Causes; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
A 67-year-old man has a swollen abdomen and has passed no gas for a day. An x-ray shows a volvulus of the large bowel. How may it be treated?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Intestinal obstruction and Ileus", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
A 72-year-old woman has a fever with chills, pain in the upper right abdomen and yellow skin. An ultrasound shows a stone blocking the bile duct. What is the first treatment for cholangitis in most cases?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cholangitis", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
A 78-year-old woman with an abnormal heart rhythm has sudden, severe abdominal pain. Her white blood cell count and lactic acid are high. Which imaging may show a blocked mesenteric artery?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Mesenteric artery ischemia", Causes; Symptoms; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
An 11-year-old boy has had pain in the right lower abdomen for 4 days, with a fever. A CT scan shows appendicitis with an abscess. How may he be treated?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Appendicitis", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Gastrointestinal System.
Renal and urinary system 2
A 36-year-old man has severe pain in the right flank that starts and stops suddenly and moves to the groin, with blood in his urine. A small stone is seen in the ureter, and he is sent home. What is he told to do with his urine?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Kidney stones", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Renal & Urinary System.
An 81-year-old man has passed almost no urine for a day, and his creatinine has risen sharply. A blockage of the urinary tract is suspected as the cause of his acute kidney failure. Which test is preferred?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Acute kidney failure", Causes; Symptoms; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Renal & Urinary System.
Pregnancy and childbirth 2
A 28-year-old woman whose period is 3 weeks late has sudden, sharp lower abdominal pain, shoulder pain and a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg. Her pregnancy test is positive. What is done for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Ectopic pregnancy", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Puerperium.
A 30-year-old woman at 31 weeks of pregnancy has sudden bleeding from the vagina, with no injury. Placenta previa is suspected. Which test diagnoses it?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Placenta previa", Symptoms; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Puerperium.
Female reproductive system and breast 2
A 22-year-old woman has had pelvic pain and chills for 3 days, and bleeding after intercourse. Pelvic inflammatory disease is suspected. Which finding on the pelvic exam fits it?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)", Symptoms; Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Female Reproductive System & Breast.
A 30-year-old woman has a very tender, swollen lump beside the vaginal opening that grew over 3 days. It hurts to sit or walk. What gives the fastest recovery from a Bartholin abscess?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Bartholin cyst or abscess", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Female Reproductive System & Breast.
Male reproductive system 2
A 25-year-old man has had pain and swelling on one side of the scrotum for 3 days, with a low fever and a discharge from the urethra. In a young heterosexual man, what most often causes epididymitis?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Epididymitis", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Male Reproductive System.
An 82-year-old uncircumcised man from a nursing home has painful swelling at the end of his penis. After he was washed, the foreskin was left pulled back, and it now cannot be moved forward. What is tried first?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Paraphimosis", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Male Reproductive System.
Endocrine system 4
A 15-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes is brought in drowsy, with a flushed face, a dry mouth and stomach pain. A urine strip is positive for ketones. Which ketone is most often measured in the blood next?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Diabetic ketoacidosis", Symptoms; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Endocrine System.
A 39-year-old woman with untreated hyperthyroidism has pneumonia. She is agitated, with a high temperature and a heart rate of 160 a minute. Which blood pressure finding fits a thyroid storm?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Thyroid storm", Causes; Exams and Tests. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Endocrine System.
A 47-year-old woman with adrenal insufficiency has vomited for 2 days and could not keep her pills down. She is confused, with low blood pressure and low blood sugar. Which medicine is given right away?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Acute adrenal crisis", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Endocrine System.
A 76-year-old man with type 2 diabetes is confused and very dry after a week of thirst. His blood sugar is extremely high, and no ketones are found. What is the goal at the start of treatment?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome", Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Endocrine System.
Multisystem disorders 7
A 19-year-old woman swallowed a bottle of acetaminophen tablets 3 hours ago. She feels well and wants to leave. Why is feeling well not reassuring?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Acetaminophen overdose", Symptoms; What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
A 27-year-old motorcyclist with a broken pelvis is anxious, pale and clammy, with a fast, weak pulse. Losing more than what share of the body's blood causes hypovolemic shock?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hypovolemic shock", Causes; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
A 37-year-old farm worker sprayed with an organophosphate insecticide has drooling, tearing, wheezing, small pupils and a slow heart rate. Which medicine treats the effects of this poison?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Insecticide poisoning", Symptoms; What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
A 44-year-old landscaper collapses on a hot afternoon. He is confused, his speech is slurred, his temperature is 105°F and he has stopped sweating. Cool water and a fan are used on his skin. Where are cold compresses placed?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Heat emergencies", Symptoms; First Aid. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
A 58-year-old man on dialysis missed two sessions. His potassium level is very high and his ECG has changed. IV calcium and glucose with insulin are given. With kidney function this poor, which treatment may he need?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "High potassium level", Exams and Tests; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
An 80-year-old woman from a nursing home has a fever, confusion and warm, flushed skin. Her blood pressure stays at 78/40 mm Hg after antibiotics and a high volume of IV fluid. Which treatment is added for septic shock?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Septic shock", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
An 84-year-old man is found on the floor of an unheated house. He is pale, cold and drowsy, his breathing is slow, and he is no longer shivering. How should a person with severe hypothermia be moved from the cold?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hypothermia", First Aid. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Multisystem Processes & Disorders.
Ethics and law 2
A 33-year-old woman is brought in unconscious after a car crash and needs an operation within minutes. She carries no papers, and no family can be reached. By the AMA Code of Medical Ethics, what may the physician do?AMA Code of Medical Ethics, Opinion 2.1.1, Informed Consent. Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Social Sciences, Including Medical Ethics and Jurisprudence.
A 50-year-old man with chest pain has had his medical screening examination in the emergency department of a small Medicare-participating hospital. He has an emergency medical condition that the hospital cannot stabilize within its capability. What does EMTALA call for?Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, "Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA)". Outline: NBME Emergency Medicine Subject Exam content outline, Social Sciences, Including Medical Ethics and Jurisprudence.
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the content outline of the Emergency Medicine Subject Exam that NBME publishes (https://www.nbme.org/institutions/assess-learn/subject-exams/advanced-clinical/emergency-medicine/, read 2026-10-13). Its sixteen systems and their ranges: Immune System 1-5%, Blood & Lymphoreticular System 1-5%, Behavioral Health 1-5%, Nervous System & Special Senses 5-10%, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue 1-5%, Musculoskeletal System 5-10%, Cardiovascular System 10-15%, Respiratory System 10-15%, Gastrointestinal System 10-15%, Renal & Urinary System 1-5%, Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Puerperium 1-5%, Female Reproductive System & Breast 1-5%, Male Reproductive System 1-5%, Endocrine System 5-10%, Multisystem Processes & Disorders 10-15%, Social Sciences, Including Medical Ethics and Jurisprudence 1-5%. The bank holds 2, 2, 2, 5, 2, 5, 7, 7, 7, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 7 and 2 questions in that order, 60 in all. Every clinical fact was read on 2026-10-13 in the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (National Library of Medicine) article the question names; the two ethics and law questions rest on the AMA Code of Medical Ethics and on the EMTALA page of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This free NBME emergency medicine practice test has 60 short cases of our own for the Emergency Medicine Subject Exam. It is unofficial: the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is not affiliated with this site and has not endorsed it.
Read the full guide
What the emergency medicine shelf covers
NBME's content outline for the Emergency Medicine Subject Exam, read October 13, 2026, lists 16 systems. Across them, resuscitation and trauma make up 10 to 15% of items, and environmental and toxicologic disorders another 10 to 15%. The 60 cases follow the outline's shares, patient ages included.
How the cases are built
Each case gives an age and a few findings, then asks what to do, which test to order or what a finding means. Every answer names the article and section it rests on, from MedlinePlus in all but two.
The timed test
The timed test here is 40 cases on a 60-minute clock, the minute and a half a case that NBME's timing chart allows.
Clocks decide answers: clot-busting medicine for stroke within 4 1/2 hours of the first symptom, angioplasty for a heart attack within 90 minutes of arrival.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the NBME emergency medicine shelf exam?
NBME's Subject Examination Timing Chart (July 2021) gives the Emergency Medicine exam 110 items and 2 hours 45 minutes. A web exam starts with a tutorial that adds 15 minutes.
Are these real NBME emergency medicine questions?
No. All 60 cases were written for this page from the public content outline and public health pages. NBME's sample items and self-assessments were not opened, and no review book or question bank was used or reworded.
Which topics carry the most weight on the emergency medicine shelf?
By the outline, four systems carry 10 to 15% each: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and multisystem processes and disorders. The nervous, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems carry 5 to 10% each, and the other nine 1 to 5%.
Is there an NBME shelf exam for emergency medicine?
Yes. NBME lists Emergency Medicine among its Advanced Clinical Science Subject Exams, which schools typically use for fourth-year students. It is given at the school or at a Prometric test center.