American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the ABIM Certification Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready to succeed!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

In the evaluation of renal diseases, what is a common symptom suggestive of malignancy?

Weight gain
Flank pain
Intermittent fever
Changes in visual acuity

The correct answer is: Flank pain

Flank pain is a commonly associated symptom suggestive of malignancy in renal diseases. It often indicates the presence of a tumor or mass within the kidney that may cause discomfort due to its size or by affecting surrounding structures. As the tumor grows, it can invade local tissues or organs, leading to visceral pain that can manifest as flank pain. This symptom can sometimes be accompanied by other signs of malignancy, such as hematuria (blood in urine) or weight loss, making it a crucial symptom to consider when evaluating renal issues for possible malignancy. While the other symptoms listed may occur in a variety of conditions, they are not specifically indicative of renal malignancy. Weight gain, for example, could be related to numerous factors, including lifestyle changes or metabolic conditions, and does not directly correlate with cancer. Intermittent fever might suggest infection or systemic inflammatory processes rather than malignancy. Changes in visual acuity are typically related to ocular or neurological issues rather than renal pathology. Thus, flank pain stands out as the most pertinent symptom characteristic of potential renal tumors.