American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is a characteristic of mild Ulcerative Colitis?

1. Greater than 90 beats per minute

2. Stable hemoglobin levels

3. Frequent blood in stool

4. Temperature exceeding 37.5 °C

The correct answer is: Stable hemoglobin levels

Mild Ulcerative Colitis is generally characterized by symptoms that are relatively manageable and do not include significant systemic manifestations. In this context, stable hemoglobin levels indicate that the patient is not experiencing severe blood loss or anemia, which is consistent with the mild form of the disease. In cases of mild Ulcerative Colitis, the inflammation may not be severe enough to cause substantial changes in blood parameters or significant symptoms that would necessitate urgent medical intervention. In contrast, other characteristics such as increased heart rate or fever, often signify a more acute or severe inflammatory response or complications arising from the disease. Frequent blood in stool can occur in Ulcerative Colitis, but its presence is typically more indicative of moderate to severe disease rather than a mild form. Therefore, stable hemoglobin levels is the characteristic that best aligns with mild Ulcerative Colitis, reflecting the condition's overall stability and less severe symptomatology.