Most Tested Topics on Step 2 CK (2026)
The high-yield topics that appear repeatedly on Step 2 CK forms: diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, anti-arrhythmic toxicities, and the rest of the must-know list.
Some topics show up on virtually every Step 2 CK form. They're high-yield because they're high-incidence in clinical practice, easy to write good vignettes for, and they discriminate well between prepared and unprepared students. Master these before you optimize anything else.
Internal Medicine high-yield
- DKA management protocol (insulin drip, fluid resuscitation, potassium replacement)
- Heart failure exacerbation triggers and acute management
- Atrial fibrillation: rate control, rhythm control, anticoagulation decisions
- Sepsis bundle and septic shock management
- Anti-arrhythmic side effect profiles (amiodarone in particular)
- DVT/PE diagnosis (Wells criteria) and anticoagulation choice
- Pneumonia: CAP vs HCAP, organism by setting, empiric therapy
Surgery high-yield
- Acute abdomen workup by quadrant
- Small bowel obstruction vs ileus differentiation
- Trauma ABCs and FAST exam interpretation
- Post-op fever timeline (wind, water, wound, walking, wonder drugs)
- Compartment syndrome recognition
OB/GYN high-yield
- Pre-eclampsia diagnostic criteria and severe features
- Postpartum hemorrhage causes (4 T's) and management
- Ectopic pregnancy diagnostic algorithm
- Gestational diabetes screening and management
- Contraception choice by patient profile and contraindications
Pediatrics high-yield
- Developmental milestones by age
- Vaccine schedule and contraindications
- Pediatric airway emergencies (croup vs epiglottitis)
- Failure to thrive workup
- Common rashes by age and pattern
Psychiatry high-yield
- Antidepressant choice and side effect profiles
- Antipsychotic side effects (especially metabolic and EPS)
- Bipolar I vs II distinction and first-line treatment
- Suicidality risk assessment and disposition
- Substance withdrawal timelines and management
The non-clinical high-yield
- Patient autonomy edge cases (Jehovah's Witness, minors, capacity)
- Mandated reporting (abuse, certain infections, gunshot wounds)
- Informed consent exceptions
- Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV calculations
- Likelihood ratios and pre/post-test probability
- Study design strengths and biases
Coverage of these topics is the floor, not the ceiling. After you've mastered these, every additional topic you study yields diminishing returns.
Use our calculator to project where you stand right now, then prioritize the high-yield topics tied to your weakest content areas.
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