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100+ Free Arab Board EM Part 1 Practice Questions

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Sample Arab Board EM Part 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Arab Board EM Part 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During adult ACLS for a patient in pulseless ventricular fibrillation, what is the recommended dose and interval for intravenous epinephrine?
A.1 mg every 3 to 5 minutes
B.10 mg every 10 minutes
C.0.1 mg every minute
D.1 mg as a single dose only
Explanation: In adult cardiac arrest, epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO is given every 3 to 5 minutes. For shockable rhythms it is given after the first defibrillation attempts fail, alongside continued high-quality CPR.
2A patient remains in refractory ventricular fibrillation after three defibrillation attempts, CPR, and epinephrine. Which antiarrhythmic and dose is recommended next?
A.Amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO bolus
B.Adenosine 6 mg IV push
C.Atropine 1 mg IV
D.Verapamil 5 mg IV
Explanation: For shock-refractory VF or pulseless VT, amiodarone 300 mg IV/IO is the first antiarrhythmic bolus, with a possible second dose of 150 mg. Lidocaine is an acceptable alternative.
3Which two cardiac arrest rhythms are 'shockable' and treated with immediate defibrillation?
A.Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
B.Asystole and pulseless electrical activity
C.Sinus bradycardia and first-degree AV block
D.Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
Explanation: The shockable arrest rhythms are ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). Early defibrillation is the single most important intervention for these rhythms.
4What is the recommended compression rate and depth for adult high-quality CPR?
A.100 to 120 per minute, at least 5 cm (2 inches) deep
B.60 to 80 per minute, 2 cm deep
C.140 to 160 per minute, 7 cm deep
D.80 to 100 per minute, 1 cm deep
Explanation: Adult chest compressions should be delivered at 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of at least 5 cm (but not more than 6 cm), allowing full recoil and minimising interruptions.
5In the ATLS primary survey, which step takes priority over all others?
A.Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
B.Exposure and environmental control
C.Detailed neurological examination
D.Obtaining a full AMPLE history
Explanation: ATLS follows the ABCDE sequence; Airway with cervical spine protection comes first because airway obstruction kills fastest. Breathing, Circulation, Disability and Exposure follow in order.
6A trauma patient has distended neck veins, hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and tachycardia after blunt chest injury. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A.Cardiac tamponade
B.Simple pneumothorax
C.Flail chest
D.Pulmonary contusion
Explanation: Beck's triad of hypotension, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds suggests cardiac tamponade. Pericardial fluid restricts ventricular filling, and pericardiocentesis or surgery may be life-saving.
7A patient develops tracheal deviation away from the affected side, absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and severe hypotension after chest trauma. What is the immediate treatment?
A.Needle thoracostomy / finger thoracostomy followed by chest tube
B.Urgent CT chest before any intervention
C.Intravenous antibiotics
D.Pericardiocentesis
Explanation: This is a tension pneumothorax, a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate decompression by needle or finger thoracostomy, followed by a chest tube. Imaging must not delay treatment.
8Which class of haemorrhagic shock (ATLS) is characterised by an estimated blood loss of 15 to 30% with tachycardia and a narrowed pulse pressure but a normal systolic blood pressure?
A.Class II
B.Class I
C.Class III
D.Class IV
Explanation: Class II haemorrhage (15 to 30% loss, roughly 750 to 1500 mL) presents with tachycardia and a narrowed pulse pressure from rising diastolic pressure, while systolic pressure is typically still maintained.
9A 60-year-old man has crushing central chest pain. His ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. Which artery is most likely occluded and which additional lead set should be obtained?
A.Right coronary artery; obtain right-sided leads (V4R)
B.Left anterior descending; obtain V7 to V9
C.Left circumflex; obtain posterior leads only
D.Left main; no further leads needed
Explanation: Inferior STEMI (II, III, aVF) most often reflects right coronary artery occlusion. Right-sided leads, especially V4R, should be obtained to detect right ventricular infarction, which alters management (avoid nitrates, give fluids).
10A patient with an inferior STEMI and suspected right ventricular infarction becomes hypotensive. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A.Cautious intravenous fluid bolus
B.Intravenous nitroglycerin infusion
C.High-dose furosemide
D.Sublingual nitrate and morphine
Explanation: Right ventricular infarction is preload-dependent, so hypotension is treated with cautious IV fluids to maintain RV filling. Nitrates and diuretics reduce preload and can cause profound hypotension.

About the Arab Board EM Part 1 Exam

The Arab Board Emergency Medicine Part 1 written examination is the first major hurdle in the ABHS emergency medicine training pathway, taken by residents across Arab League countries including the UAE. It is a single written paper of best-of-five single-best-answer MCQs testing core emergency medicine knowledge, from resuscitation and trauma to acute cardiology, toxicology and environmental emergencies.

Assessment

A single written paper of best-of-five single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (commonly around 150 questions) covering the breadth of emergency medicine, sat across Arab League countries including the UAE.

Time Limit

Approximately 3 hours for the written paper

Passing Score

The Arab Board does not publish a single fixed pass mark for all sittings; a threshold of roughly 60% is commonly reported by candidates. Confirm the official standard with your ABHS scientific council.

Exam Fee

Fees are set by the Arab Board of Health Specializations and the host-country council and vary by country and year. Confirm the current Part 1 fee with your national ABHS office. (Arab Board of Health Specializations (ABHS))

Arab Board EM Part 1 Exam Content Outline

16%

Resuscitation and Cardiac Arrest

ACLS/PALS algorithms, defibrillation of shockable rhythms, CPR quality, anaphylaxis and reversible causes of arrest.

15%

Trauma and ATLS

Primary/secondary survey, haemorrhagic shock classes, chest and abdominal trauma, head injury, burns and massive transfusion.

15%

Acute Cardiology and ECG

ACS and STEMI reperfusion, arrhythmia management, ECG interpretation, aortic dissection and acute pulmonary oedema.

12%

Toxicology and Antidotes

Toxidromes and antidotes for paracetamol, opioids, organophosphates, TCAs, toxic alcohols, salicylates, digoxin and carbon monoxide.

10%

Respiratory Emergencies

Acute asthma, COPD exacerbations, non-invasive ventilation and pulmonary embolism.

8%

Neurological Emergencies

Acute stroke and thrombolysis, status epilepticus, subarachnoid haemorrhage and raised intracranial pressure.

7%

Environmental Emergencies

Heat stroke (Gulf-relevant), hypothermia, drowning, decompression sickness and envenomation.

6%

Shock and Sepsis

Shock classification, the sepsis hour-1 bundle, vasopressor selection and resuscitation endpoints.

6%

Pediatric and Obstetric Emergencies

Paediatric fluids, croup, epiglottitis, bronchiolitis, eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and maternal arrest.

3%

Fluids, Electrolytes and Acid-Base

Hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, balanced crystalloids and arterial blood gas interpretation.

2%

Applied Physiology and Pharmacology

Mechanisms of adrenaline, adenosine and oxygen and the physiology behind resuscitation.

How to Pass the Arab Board EM Part 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: The Arab Board does not publish a single fixed pass mark for all sittings; a threshold of roughly 60% is commonly reported by candidates. Confirm the official standard with your ABHS scientific council.
  • Assessment: A single written paper of best-of-five single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (commonly around 150 questions) covering the breadth of emergency medicine, sat across Arab League countries including the UAE.
  • Time limit: Approximately 3 hours for the written paper
  • Exam fee: Fees are set by the Arab Board of Health Specializations and the host-country council and vary by country and year. Confirm the current Part 1 fee with your national ABHS office.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Arab Board EM Part 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the core resuscitation algorithms (ACLS, ATLS, PALS) and standard drug doses, as these underpin a large share of best-of-five emergency medicine questions.
2Build a structured toxicology table of toxidromes and antidotes (paracetamol, opioids, organophosphates, TCAs, toxic alcohols, salicylates, digoxin, carbon monoxide) because antidote questions are high-yield and easy marks.
3Practise timed best-of-five MCQs and revise Gulf-relevant topics such as heat stroke, since environmental emergencies and time management are common areas where candidates lose marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Arab Board Emergency Medicine Part 1 exam and where is it taken?

The Arab Board of Health Specializations (ABHS) administers the examination through its emergency medicine scientific council. It is sat by residents across Arab League countries, including the UAE, as the first written hurdle of the emergency medicine training programme.

What format and how many questions are on the Part 1 written exam?

Part 1 is a single written paper of best-of-five single-best-answer multiple-choice questions, commonly reported as around 150 questions completed in roughly 3 hours. Always confirm the exact count and timing with your national ABHS office or training programme.

What is the passing score for the Arab Board EM Part 1 exam?

The Arab Board does not publish a single fixed pass mark for every sitting. A threshold of approximately 60% is commonly reported by candidates, but the definitive standard is set by the ABHS scientific council, so confirm it with your programme.

What subjects should I focus on for the Part 1 written exam?

Prioritise resuscitation (ACLS/ATLS/PALS), acute cardiology and ECG, trauma, toxicology and antidotes, and respiratory, neurological, environmental, paediatric and obstetric emergencies, alongside fluids, electrolytes, acid-base and the applied physiology and pharmacology of emergency drugs.