American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the ABIM Certification Exam with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Strengthen understanding with flashcards, hints, and thorough review materials. Ace your test!

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When should an AAA be repaired based on its diameter?

4.0 cm
5.0 cm
5.5 cm
6.0 cm

The correct answer is: 5.5 cm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is typically considered for surgical repair when its diameter reaches 5.5 cm or greater. Repairing an AAA at this size is based on clinical evidence demonstrating that the risk of rupture increases significantly at or above this threshold. Repair at this diameter strikes a balance between the risks of both surgery and rupture. On the other hand, while an AAA measuring 4.0 cm or even 5.0 cm may be monitored, they are generally not indicated for immediate surgical intervention, as the associated risk of rupture at these sizes remains lower compared to larger aneurysms. Typically, an AAA of 5.0 cm may warrant surveillance and possibly intervention in patients with other risk factors, but 5.5 cm is the more widely accepted threshold for repair in asymptomatic patients with no other strong indications for surgery.