AOA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AOA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which statement about decision-making capacity is correct? → Capacity is decision-specific and can be assessed by the treating physician
2. After a plantarflexion-inversion ankle sprain, which fibular head dysfunction is most commonly found? → Posterior fibular head
3. When correcting chronic hyponatremia in a high-risk patient, what is the usual maximum rise in serum sodium over 24 hours to avoid osmotic demyelination? → 8 mEq/L
4. How should professionals apply professional standards and ethics in daily practice? → Consistently integrate best practices into every aspect of professional work
5. What is the foundational principle of core concepts and principles in the AOA Board Certified field? → Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders
6. What is the role of empathy in patient care? → Empathy enhances communication and trust between physician and patient
7. A patient with a valid DNR order goes into cardiac arrest during elective surgery. What is the most appropriate preoperative practice regarding the DNR? → Discuss and document whether the DNR is maintained, modified, or suspended before surgery
8. A positive Thomas test in a patient with psoas syndrome shows which finding? → Hip flexor (iliopsoas) contracture
9. A man with stage 4 chronic kidney disease has acute podagra confirmed as gout. Which treatment is most appropriate? → Oral prednisone
10. Which immunization is specifically recommended for healthcare workers to protect against occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure? → Hepatitis B vaccine
11. Sympathetic innervation to the kidneys and ureters arises from which levels? → T10–L1
12. A viscerosomatic reflex is defined as: → Visceral afferent stimuli producing somatic changes in tissues
13. Which quality improvement methodology primarily focuses on eliminating waste and non-value-added steps? → Lean
14. In muscle energy technique, how long does the patient typically hold the isometric contraction? → 3–5 seconds
15. CV4 (compression of the fourth ventricle) is contraindicated in which situation? → Acute intracranial hemorrhage
16. Billing for a higher level of service than was actually provided is called: → Upcoding
17. What is the first-line treatment for an adult with anaphylaxis? → IM epinephrine 0.3-0.5 mg into the anterolateral thigh
18. Which medication is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used as first-line therapy for GERD? → Omeprazole
19. What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)? → A set of techniques focusing on the musculoskeletal system to improve health
20. Per GINA guidelines, what is the preferred as-needed reliever for adults with asthma? → Low-dose ICS-formoterol
21. An anterior innominate rotation on the right would show which finding compared to the left? → Right ASIS inferior and right leg appears longer
22. Which occupational exposure is most strongly associated with mesothelioma? → Asbestos
23. A 70-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and hypertension has what CHA2DS2-VASc score? → 3
24. A medication error causes a patient harm. What is the ethically appropriate response? → Disclose the error honestly to the patient, apologize, and explain the corrective steps
25. T4 is found to be flexed, rotated right, and sidebent right as a single-segment dysfunction. Which Fryette principle does this describe? → Type II mechanics
26. When prescribing a heel lift for a fragile elderly patient with a short leg, what is the recommended starting lift? → 1/16 inch
27. Which is a contraindication to compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4)? → Acute intracranial hemorrhage
28. In a trial, the stroke rate is 20% with placebo and 15% with a new drug. What is the number needed to treat (NNT)? → 20
29. Using the rule of threes, the spinous process of T8 lies at the level of which structure? → Transverse process of T9
30. Which mandatory report overrides patient confidentiality in all U.S. states? → Suspected child abuse