Study Notes

Every topic, by specialty.

High-yield Step 2 CK review notes organized by specialty. Mark each topic complete as you study — your progress saves to this device.

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Acute Stabilization

2 topics

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Airway & Breathing Management

Indications for intubation, NIPPV vs intubation, and crashing patient management.

Shock & Fluid Resuscitation

Hemodynamic profiles + fluid choices + transfusion thresholds.

Biostatistics

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Biostats & Evidence-Based Medicine

Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, study types, biases.

Biostatistics & Study Design — Complete

Study designs, RR vs OR, sensitivity/specificity, biases, statistical tests.

Breast

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Breast Disease

Benign, malignant, lactation, age-based workup.

Cardiology

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Infective Endocarditis

Prophylaxis indications + IE management + perivalvular abscess.

Chronic Stable Angina

ASA + statin + BB + nitrate PRN; stress test pathway.

Acute Coronary Syndromes

STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina, cocaine MI, Prinzmetal.

MI Complications

VF (<24 h), papillary muscle rupture (3–5 d), free wall rupture, LV aneurysm.

Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathies

HFrEF mortality drugs, HFpEF, cor pulmonale, restrictive, HOCM.

Pericarditis & Tamponade

Acute pericarditis (NSAID + colchicine), constrictive, tamponade.

Arrhythmias

AFib, AVB, SVT, VT, WPW, torsades.

Valvular Heart Disease

AS, AR, MS, MR — diagnosis and surgical thresholds.

Dermatology

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Dermatology — High-yield Conditions

Skin cancers, infections, autoimmune skin diseases, life-threatening eruptions.

EKG

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STEMI — localization by leads

Map the ST-elevation pattern to the infarct territory and the culprit artery.

Narrow-complex tachycardias

Differentiate sinus tach, AFib, AFlutter, SVT — and pick the right move.

Wide-complex tachycardias & VT/VF

VT vs SVT with aberrancy, torsades, VF — and what to shock vs not.

AV blocks — 1°, Mobitz I/II, complete

Recognize each block by PR pattern and dropped beats; know who needs a pacemaker.

EKG changes by electrolyte

Hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia — recognize and treat fast.

Pericarditis vs PE vs STEMI mimics

Diffuse ST elevation, PR depression, S1Q3T3 — what's not a STEMI.

Pre-excitation & channelopathies

WPW, long QT, Brugada, HCM — sudden cardiac death syndromes.

Axis, LVH, RVH — the basics

Quick axis determination, LVH/RVH criteria, BBB recognition.

Bradycardias & sinus node disease

Sinus brady, sick sinus, junctional rhythms — when to pace.

Stable CAD — stress testing & risk

Who needs a stress test, what kind, and how to interpret findings.

NSTEMI / unstable angina

Recognize NSTE-ACS, risk stratify, and pick early vs delayed invasive strategy.

Paced rhythms & ICD basics

Recognize pacing spikes, understand modes (DDD, VVI), know when device failure is happening.

RV strain, PE, and cor pulmonale

EKG findings of acute and chronic RV overload — when to suspect what.

Cardiac arrest rhythms & ACLS

Shockable vs non-shockable rhythms; the ACLS algorithm in plain English.

Syncope — EKG-first workup

Cardiac vs non-cardiac syncope; what an EKG must rule out.

Emergency

1 topic

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Appendicitis & Diverticular Disease

Imaging by age/pregnancy + treatment.

Endocrine

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Gynecomastia & Drug Side Effects

Spironolactone → switch to eplerenone.

Adrenal Disorders

Insufficiency (Addison, secondary), CAH, Cushing, pheochromocytoma, hyperaldosteronism.

Thyroid Disorders — Comprehensive

Hyper/hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, thyroid storm, thyroid nodule.

Pituitary Disorders

Prolactinoma, acromegaly, SIADH, DI, Sheehan, hypopituitarism.

Diabetes Mellitus — Complete

Types, diagnosis, complications (DKA, HHS, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy).

MEN Syndromes & Endocrine Tumors

MEN 1, 2A, 2B + carcinoid + insulinoma + gastrinoma.

ENT

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ENT — Vertigo, Ear Infections

Ménière, vestibular neuritis, BPPV, AOM, otitis externa.

Ethics & Professionalism

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Medical Ethics — Boards-Style Scenarios

Capacity, consent, confidentiality, surrogates, end-of-life, professionalism.

Medical Ethics & Communication

Capacity, consent, confidentiality, end-of-life.

Gastroenterology

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GI Bleeding (Upper & Lower)

Resuscitate → EGD/colonoscopy; variceal bleed bundle.

Esophageal Disorders

GERD, Barrett, Zenker, achalasia, infectious, pill esophagitis.

Peptic Ulcer Disease & H. pylori

Testing pathway + quadruple therapy + confirmation.

Drug-Induced GI Disease

Constipation, ulcer/perf, hepatitis, pancreatitis, esophagitis.

Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis

I GET SMASHED + LR > NS + complications.

Hepatitis & Cirrhosis

Hep A/B/C + alcoholic hepatitis + complications.

Metabolic & Autoimmune Liver Disease

Wilson, hemochromatosis, PBC, PSC.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn vs UC + escalation therapy + toxic megacolon.

IBS, Celiac, Whipple, Lactose

Functional vs malabsorption.

Bowel Obstruction, Ileus, Volvulus, Hernia

SBO vs ileus vs sigmoid volvulus.

Biliary Disease

Cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, Mirizzi, gallstone ileus.

Ischemic Colitis & Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Watershed vs embolic.

Anorectal Disorders

Fissure, hemorrhoids, abscess, fecal impaction.

Geriatrics

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Geriatrics — Common Issues

Falls, delirium, dementia, polypharmacy, pressure ulcers.

Hematology

2 topics

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Anemia — Full Workup

MCV + reticulocyte + smear → microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic differentials.

Bleeding & Coagulation Disorders

Platelet vs clotting factor disorders; ITP, TTP, hemophilia, VWD, DIC.

Immunology

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Primary Immunodeficiencies

B-cell, T-cell, combined, phagocyte, and complement defects — recognize by pattern of infection.

HIV & AIDS — Opportunistic Infections

CD4-based prophylaxis + opportunistic infection patterns + ART basics.

Infectious Disease

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CNS Infections

Empiric meningitis abx by age; HSV/Lyme/cryptococcus/neurocysticercosis specifics.

Pneumonia & Mycobacterial Infections

CAP, atypicals, aspiration, lung abscess, empyema, TB.

HBV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Documented immunity → no PEP needed.

STDs — Comprehensive

Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV, HPV, trichomoniasis, chancroid, LGV, granuloma inguinale.

Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases

Tick, mosquito, flea, animal — geographic + exposure clues.

Endemic Mycoses & Other Fungal Infections

Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Blastomyces, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Candida, Sporothrix.

Parasites & Protozoa

GI (Giardia, Crypto, Entamoeba) + tissue (Toxo, Trypanosoma, Trichinella) + helminths.

Neurology

8 topics

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TIA & Ischemic Stroke

TIA = warning; ischemic stroke window 4.5 h for tPA, 24 h for thrombectomy.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

HTN with sudden focal deficit + vomiting → CT first, never lytics.

Dementia Differential Diagnosis

Always screen for reversible causes first.

Headache Classification & Management

Type, signs/triggers, and acute + prophylactic treatment.

Spinal Cord & Radiculopathy

Cauda equina, spinal epidural abscess, B12, tabes, radiculopathies.

Seizures

Focal aware, absence, GTC, status epilepticus.

Movement Disorders

Parkinson, essential tremor, physiologic tremor, ataxias.

Neuromuscular Junction Disorders

Myasthenia gravis vs Lambert-Eaton; diabetic neuropathy.

Nutrition

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Clinical Nutrition — Comprehensive

Refeeding, micronutrient deficiencies/toxicities, TPN, malnutrition assessment, eating disorders.

OB/GYN

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Obstetric Emergencies & Common Issues

Preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, ectopic, placental abruption vs previa.

Physiologic Changes of Pregnancy

Cardiovascular, renal, hematologic, endocrine, respiratory adaptations.

Antepartum Bleeding — Differential

Placenta previa vs abruption vs uterine rupture vs vasa previa.

Prenatal Aneuploidy Screening

First/second trimester screens and diagnostic testing.

Routine Prenatal Care Timeline

Visit-by-visit prenatal labs and screening.

Labor Management & Dystocia

Stages of labor, arrest disorders, shoulder dystocia.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Chronic HTN, gestational, preeclampsia (mild/severe), HELLP, eclampsia.

Teratogens & Medications in Pregnancy

High-yield teratogenic patterns.

Postpartum Complications

Endometritis, PPH, sepsis, peripartum CM, depression.

Antepartum Fetal Surveillance

NST, BPP, CST, Doppler; oligohydramnios, post-term, IUGR.

Multiple Gestation & Special Twin Topics

Chorionicity types, TTTS, MoMo twin management.

PCOS & Amenorrhea Workup

Primary vs secondary amenorrhea; PCOS management.

Gynecologic Cancers

Endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vulvar cancers.

Benign Gynecologic Conditions

Fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, ovarian cysts, lichen sclerosus.

Oncology

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Brain Tumors

Dexamethasone first for edema; surgical resection + radiation/chemo per type.

GI Cancer Screening & Management

CRC screening, pancreatic CA, GIST, carcinoid.

Hematologic Malignancies

Leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma — key distinguishers.

Ophthalmology

1 topic

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Acute & Chronic Eye Disorders

CRAO, glaucoma, hyphema, conjunctivitis, uveitis, retinoblastoma, retinopathies.

Pediatrics

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Pediatric Respiratory Distress

Croup, epiglottitis, bronchiolitis, FB aspiration, neonatal lung disease.

Pediatric GI

Pyloric stenosis, intussusception, Hirschsprung, NEC, malrotation.

Pediatric Rashes & Exanthems

Classic childhood exanthems by viral pattern — measles, rubella, roseola, fifth disease, hand-foot-mouth, varicella.

Other Common Pediatric Conditions

Wheezing infant DDx, common rashes, congenital heart disease patterns, FTT.

Preventive Medicine

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Preventive Medicine & Vaccines

Adult immunizations + cancer screening + lifestyle counseling.

Cancer & Adult Screening — Complete Reference

Age-appropriate screening for all major cancers and conditions.

Adult Vaccination Schedule

Routine, high-risk, and PEP vaccinations for adults.

Psychiatry

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Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Depression, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD, OCD.

Psychotic & Personality Disorders

Schizophrenia spectrum + personality clusters.

Antipsychotic Side Effects (EPS, NMS, SS)

Time-based EPS classification + NMS vs serotonin syndrome.

Pediatric Psychiatry

ADHD, ASD, ODD, Tourette, enuresis, anorexia/bulimia.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Acamprosate, naltrexone, disulfiram; withdrawal management.

Pulmonary

3 topics

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PFT Interpretation

FEV1/FVC + lung volumes + DLCO algorithm.

Asthma & COPD

Asthma reversibility, AERD, exacerbation tx; COPD progression, AAT.

Other Pulmonary Conditions

CO poisoning, ARDS, pulmonary contusion, IPF, PE, cor pulmonale.

Renal

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Key Electrolyte Emergencies

Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, lithium-induced DI.

Glomerular Diseases — Nephritic vs Nephrotic

Nephritic: hematuria + HTN + low GFR. Nephrotic: proteinuria + edema + hyperlipidemia.

Tubular & Interstitial Renal Disease + RTAs

ATN, AIN, PKD, RTA types, contrast nephropathy.

Electrolytes & Acid-Base Disturbances

Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium + anion gap acidosis MUDPILES.

Rheumatology

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Vasculitides

Large, medium, small vessel — by size, presentation, and ANCA status.

Rheumatologic Diseases

RA, SLE, scleroderma, Sjögren, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, spondyloarthropathies, gout.

Surgery

1 topic

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Perforated Viscus & Pneumoperitoneum

Surgical catastrophe — board-like abdomen → free air → laparotomy.

Trauma

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Traumatic Thoracic Injuries

Massive hemothorax, contusions, flail chest, diaphragm rupture, aortic injury.