100+ Free Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Practice Questions
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Key Facts: Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Exam
HERMES + SGP
Exam Format
SIWF / SGP Examination Regulations
90
Written HERMES MCQs
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
6 Years
Postgraduate Training
SIWF Weiterbildungsprogramm
180 min
Written Exam Duration
ERS HERMES Standard
Lifetime
FMH Title Validity
Swiss Medical Association (FMH)
100
Practice Questions
OpenExamPrep
The Facharzt FMH Pneumologie credential certifies specialist pulmonologists in Switzerland through SIWF and SGP. The assessment combines the written European HERMES Examination (90 MCQs) and the SGP oral clinical board, covering obstructive airways, physiology, ILD, thoracic oncology, pulmonary vascular diseases, infections, and sleep medicine.
Sample Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Facharzt FMH Pneumologie exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 34-year-old woman with moderate persistent asthma presents for regular follow-up. She experiences daytime wheezing and dyspnea 3 to 4 days per week and wakes up coughing once a week. She currently uses low-dose inhaled budesonide (200 mcg twice daily) and as-needed salbutamol. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Track 1 recommendations, what is the most appropriate management step?
2A 48-year-old non-smoker with severe refractory asthma has experienced three oral corticosteroid-treated exacerbations in the past 12 months despite adherence to high-dose fluticasone-salmeterol plus tiotropium. Peripheral blood testing reveals an absolute eosinophil count of 480 cells/µL (0.48 × 10⁹/L), total serum IgE of 42 IU/mL, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) of 38 ppb. Skin prick testing for common aeroallergens is negative. Which biologic therapy is most specifically indicated for this patient's phenotype?
3A 26-year-old male with perennial allergic rhinitis and severe allergic asthma requires frequent short courses of systemic corticosteroids. Laboratory evaluation shows total serum IgE of 320 IU/mL, blood eosinophils 210 cells/µL, and positive RAST testing for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Before initiating omalizumab, how is the correct therapeutic dose and administration frequency determined?
4A 52-year-old woman with severe asthma, recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and maintenance oral corticosteroid dependence (prednisone 10 mg daily) is evaluated for biologic therapy. Her FeNO is 65 ppb and blood eosinophils are 350 cells/µL. Which biologic targeting the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4Rα) inhibits both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling and is highly effective at reducing oral steroid dependence and nasal polyp burden?
5A 45-year-old man has severe uncontrolled asthma with frequent winter exacerbations. Biomarker testing repeatedly demonstrates blood eosinophils <150 cells/µL, total IgE 18 IU/mL, and FeNO 14 ppb (T2-low / non-eosinophilic phenotype). Which biologic agent targeting an upstream epithelial-derived alarmin is approved for severe asthma irrespective of baseline eosinophil counts or allergic status?
6A 39-year-old man with severe chronic rhinosinusitis and recurrent nasal polyposis presents to the emergency department with acute severe bronchospasm 45 minutes after taking 500 mg of acetylsalicylic acid for a headache. What is the fundamental pathophysiology underlying Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD / Samter's triad)?
7A 42-year-old woman with longstanding asthma presents with worsening cough, production of brownish mucus plugs, episodic low-grade fever, and progressive dyspnea. Chest HRCT reveals central bronchiectasis and fleeting pulmonary opacities. Total serum IgE is 2,400 IU/mL, Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE is markedly elevated, and peripheral blood eosinophils are 1,100 cells/µL. What is the standard first-line pharmacotherapeutic approach for this condition?
8A 29-year-old woman at 10 weeks of gestation with well-controlled moderate asthma on inhaled budesonide-formoterol expresses concern that her inhaler might harm the fetus and wants to stop all medications. What is the evidence-based recommendation regarding asthma management during pregnancy?
9A 22-year-old elite cross-country skier presents with severe cough and chest tightness occurring 5 to 10 minutes after strenuous cold-weather training. Baseline spirometry is normal (FEV1 104% predicted). To objectively confirm the diagnosis of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), which diagnostic challenge test is considered the most specific indirect bronchial provocation test recommended for competitive athletes?
10A 64-year-old man with a 45 pack-year smoking history has chronic dyspnea on exertion (mMRC score 2). Post-bronchodilator spirometry reveals FEV1/FVC 0.58 and FEV1 54% predicted. In the preceding 12 months, he experienced two acute exacerbations treated by his general practitioner with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate and prednisone, though neither required hospital admission. His blood eosinophil count is 80 cells/µL. According to the GOLD report, what is his GOLD category and recommended initial maintenance pharmacotherapy?
About the Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Exam
The Facharzt FMH für Pneumologie (Specialist in Pulmonology / Respiratory Medicine FMH) is the Swiss Federal specialist title granting full independent practice rights in adult respiratory medicine across Switzerland. Governed by the SIWF (Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Continuous Medical Training) and the SGP/SSP (Swiss Society of Pulmonology), board qualification requires passing the international ERS HERMES Examination (Harmonised Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists) as the official written component, followed by the SGP oral-practical board examination. The syllabus spans obstructive lung diseases (asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, CF), pulmonary function testing and exercise physiology, interstitial lung diseases, thoracic oncology, pulmonary vascular disorders (PE, PAH, CTEPH), respiratory infections and tuberculosis, sleep-disordered breathing and mechanical ventilation, and pleural/interventional pulmonology. Note on format and language: While the official written HERMES examination is administered in English and the SGP oral examination is conducted in Swiss national languages (German/French) or English, this question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation created by OpenExamPrep—not an official ERS/SGP examination release—specifically designed to train high-yield clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, and guideline-based therapeutic algorithms.
Assessment
Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written ERS HERMES Examination consisting of 90 multiple-choice questions in English (3 hours), and 2) The SGP oral-practical board examination consisting of standardized clinical case stations evaluated by senior Swiss pulmonology examiners.
Time Limit
180 minutes written examination plus approximately 45–60 minutes structured oral examination
Passing Score
Psychometrically determined passing score using Angoff and Rasch equating for the written HERMES examination, and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical case stations assessed by the SGP examination committee
Exam Fee
Combined SGP examination fee ~CHF 1,500–2,500; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500 (Schweizerisches Institut für ärztliche Weiter- und Fortbildung (SIWF / FMH) and Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Pneumologie (SGP / SSP), utilizing the ERS HERMES Examination)
Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Exam Content Outline
Obstructive Airway Diseases (Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis, CF)
Pathophysiology, phenotypic characterization, guideline-directed pharmacotherapy (GINA, GOLD), biologic therapies (anti-IgE, anti-IL5/5R, anti-IL4Rα, anti-TSLP), CFTR modulators, acute exacerbations, and non-pharmacological interventions including lung volume reduction.
Pulmonary Physiology, Function Testing & Diagnostic Procedures
Spirometry, body plethysmography (lung volumes, airway resistance), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO/KCO), arterial blood gas interpretation, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), bronchial provocation testing, and FeNO.
Interstitial Lung Diseases & Diffuse Parenchymal Disorders
High-resolution CT pattern recognition (UIP, NSIP, organizing pneumonia), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) antifibrotic management, sarcoidosis staging and organ manifestations, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, CTD-associated ILDs, and rare cystic lung diseases (LAM, PLCH).
Thoracic Oncology & Mediastinal Tumors
Solitary pulmonary nodule workup (Fleischner criteria), TNM 8th/9th edition staging, invasive mediastinal staging (EBUS-TBNA, mediastinoscopy), molecular driver alterations (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, PD-L1), multimodality therapy for early, locally advanced, and metastatic NSCLC/SCLC, and malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Pulmonary Vascular Diseases (PE, PAH, CTEPH)
Risk stratification and acute management of pulmonary embolism (ESC/ERS guidelines), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH screening, pulmonary endarterectomy, BPA, riociguat), and hemodynamic classification and targeted combination therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Groups 1–5).
Respiratory Infections, Tuberculosis & Pleural/Sleep Disorders
Community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia, active and latent tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease, fungal infections (aspergillosis, PJP), pleural diseases (effusions, pneumothorax, empyema), sleep-disordered breathing (OSA, OHS, central sleep apnea / Cheyne-Stokes), and non-invasive/invasive mechanical ventilation.
How to Pass the Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Psychometrically determined passing score using Angoff and Rasch equating for the written HERMES examination, and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical case stations assessed by the SGP examination committee
- Assessment: Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written ERS HERMES Examination consisting of 90 multiple-choice questions in English (3 hours), and 2) The SGP oral-practical board examination consisting of standardized clinical case stations evaluated by senior Swiss pulmonology examiners.
- Time limit: 180 minutes written examination plus approximately 45–60 minutes structured oral examination
- Exam fee: Combined SGP examination fee ~CHF 1,500–2,500; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Facharzt FMH Pneumologie Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Facharzt FMH für Pneumologie title?
The Facharzt FMH für Pneumologie is the federally recognized specialist medical title awarded by the SIWF / FMH (Swiss Medical Association) upon completion of at least 6 years of accredited postgraduate training (including general internal medicine and pulmonology), passing both the written European HERMES examination and the SGP oral board examination, and satisfying all e-logbook procedure requirements.
How is the Swiss Pulmonology specialist examination structured?
The examination comprises two mandatory parts: 1) The written European Examination in Adult Respiratory Medicine (HERMES), developed by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and consisting of 90 MCQs administered in English, and 2) The SGP oral board examination, conducted in Switzerland to evaluate clinical cases, diagnostic PFT interpretation, imaging, and therapeutic decision-making.
When can Swiss pulmonology trainees register for the exam?
Candidates typically take the written HERMES examination during their final two years of specialty training. Registration is coordinated directly through the Swiss Society of Pulmonology (SGP/SSP), which automatically registers Swiss candidates for the ERS HERMES written examination.
What clinical guidelines form the primary foundation for the examination?
The examination is based on international and European consensus guidelines, including ERS/ATS clinical guidelines, GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease), ESC/ERS Pulmonary Hypertension guidelines, Fleischner Society recommendations, and Swiss respiratory disease management standards.
Why is this practice bank written in English?
The official written HERMES Examination is authored and administered exclusively in English across all participating European countries, including Switzerland. Major respiratory literature and clinical trials are published in English. This question bank prepares candidates directly in the terminology and format used in the written European board.
What are the required logbook competencies for Swiss pulmonology certification?
Trainees must document certified minimum numbers of flexible bronchoscopies (including BAL, endobronchial biopsies, and transbronchial biopsies), EBUS-TBNA procedures, pleural ultrasound and thoracenteses, chest tube insertions, complete pulmonary function tests (body plethysmography, DLCO, blood gases), CPET interpretations, and sleep diagnostic studies/NIV titrations.