Medical Specialties Practice Questions

A specialty, or specialty, in medicine is a branch of medical practice. After completing medical  school,  physicians or surgeons usually further their medical education in a specific specialty of medicine by completing a multiple year residency to become a medical specialist

Medical Specialties questions are on standardized tests such as the CMA

1. _________is a branch of medicine that deals with the _________ system and its production of hormones, which coordinate metabolism, respiration, and excretion, among others. Medical professionals in this field treat persons with diabetes, thyroid diseases, cholesterol disorders, and metabolic disorders.

a. Endocrinology, endocrine
b. Gastroenterology, digestive
c. Hepatology, digestive
d. Urology

2. Which, if any, of the following statements about geriatrics are false?

a. Geriatrics is a branch of medicine in which the focus is health care for the aging population.
b. Geriatrics differs from gerontology, which is the study of the aging process itself.
c. A geriatrician’s practice is limited to persons over the age of 65.
d. None of the above.

3. ____________ is the medical specialty involved in the study of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas and diseases such as viral hepatitis and alcohol-related conditions.

a. Hepatology
b. Immunology
c. Oncology
d. Nephrology

4. _____________ surgeons use their skills to correct diseases, defects and injuries in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and facial region.

a. Ear, nose and throat (ENT)
b. Orthopedic
c. Reconstructive
d. Oral and Maxillofacial

5. Which, if any, of the following statements concerning palliative medicine are false?

a. Palliative medicine is another name for hospice care.
b. Palliative medicine addresses the needs of patients in all stages of a disease or illness, including those undergoing treatment for curable diseases and those living with chronic illness.
c. It is a branch of medicine that is focused on both relieving and preventing the suffering of patients.
d. Palliative medicine relies on input from many sources, including nurses, pharmacists, chaplains and psychologists, among others.

6. Patients who have been diagnosed with acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, hematuria, kidney stones or hypertension are usually referred to _____________.

a. Pathologists
b. Hepatologists
c. Nephrologists
d. Internists

7. The practice of ___________ is concerned with the diagnosis of cancer as well as cancer therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as follow-up of such cases and palliative care for patients in the terminal stages of cancer.

a. Pathology
b. Internal medicine
c. Oncology
d. Physical medicine

1. A
Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with the endocrine system and its production of hormones, which coordinate metabolism, respiration, and excretion, among others. Medical professionals in this field treat persons with diabetes, thyroid diseases, cholesterol disorders, and metabolic disorders.

2. C
A geriatrician’s practice is limited to persons over the age of 65 is false.  Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or physician who specializes in the care of elderly people. Rather, this decision is determined by the individual patient’s needs, and the availability of a specialist.[i]

3. A
Hepatology is the medical specialty involved in the study of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas and diseases such as viral hepatitis and alcohol-related conditions.

4. D
Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons use their skills to correct diseases, defects and injuries in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and facial region.

5. A
Palliative medicine is another name for hospice care is false.
Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Unlike hospice care, palliative medicine is appropriate for patients in all disease stages, including those undergoing treatment for curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases, as well as patients who are nearing the end of life. Palliative medicine utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, relying on input from physicians, pharmacists, nurses, chaplains, social workers, psychologists, and other allied health professionals in formulating a plan of care to relieve suffering in all areas of a patient’s life.[i]

6. C
Nephrology concerns the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension, and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy, including dialysis and renal transplant patients.[ii]

7. C
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist.

Oncology is concerned with:

• The diagnosis of any cancer in a person
• Therapy (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other modalities)
• Follow-up of cancer patients after successful treatment
• Palliative care of patients with terminal malignancies
• Ethical questions surrounding cancer care

19. A 
Hepatology is the medical specialty involved in the study of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas and diseases such as viral hepatitis and alcohol-related conditions.

20. D 

Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons use their skills to correct diseases, defects and injuries in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and facial region.

21. A 
Palliative medicine is another name for hospice care is false. 

Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Unlike