American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is characterized by which of the following symptoms?

1. Eosinophilia and fibrous tissue proliferation

2. Fever and severe abdominal pain

3. Purpuric skin rash and mononeuritis multiplex

4. Joint swelling and muscle atrophy

The correct answer is: Purpuric skin rash and mononeuritis multiplex

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, previously known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a small-to-medium vessel vasculitis associated with asthma, eosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis. Among the symptoms of this condition, purpuric skin rash and mononeuritis multiplex are significant manifestations. Purpura can occur as a result of the vasculitis affecting small blood vessels in the skin, leading to extravasation of blood. Mononeuritis multiplex refers to the simultaneous involvement of two or more individual nerves, which is typical in this condition due to the inflammatory processes targeting the nerves. This nerve involvement often leads to pain and neurological deficits, making these symptoms key indicators of the disease. Other options present conditions that are not characteristic of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. For instance, eosinophilia and fibrous tissue proliferation may be seen in other conditions but are not specific to this vasculitis. Fever and severe abdominal pain could suggest other inflammatory or infectious processes but are neither definitive nor specific symptoms of this particular vasculitis. Joint swelling and muscle atrophy might be seen in various rheumatologic conditions but are also not central features of eos