Pulmonary

Uses the FEV1/FVC ratio to split obstructive disease (air trapping → low ratio, high lung volumes) from restrictive disease (small, stiff lungs → normal/high ratio, low TLC), then uses DLCO and the A–a gradient to sort the subtypes — the single highest-yield pulmonary PFT concept on Step 1.

A boards-focused Asthma vs COPD lesson running pathophysiology → presentation buzzwords → diagnosis (PFTs/imaging/ABG) → next-best-step management for STEP 1 and STEP 2 CK. Emphasizes reversibility testing, the falsely-normal PaCO2 trap, and GINA/GOLD-current therapy.

A boards-focused walkthrough of venous thromboembolism — from Virchow's triad and RV-strain pathophysiology through the Wells / D-dimer / CTPA diagnostic algorithm to next-best-step management, contrasting outpatient anticoagulation for low-risk PE with systemic thrombolysis for massive (high-risk) PE. Emphasizes classic vignette buzzwords and Step 1 / Step 2 CK decision points.

A Step 2 CK-focused lesson on pleural effusion and pneumothorax, moving from pleural-space pathophysiology through bedside exam, imaging, and pleural-fluid analysis to next-best-step management, anchored by Light's criteria, drainage thresholds, and the tension-pneumothorax crash vignette. Includes two comparison tables, two clinical vignettes, and classic memory hooks.

A boards-focused lung cancer lesson tracing pathophysiology (SCLC vs NSCLC subtypes, smoking/radon/asbestos risk) through presentation, paraneoplastic syndromes, diagnosis (LDCT screening, nodule workup, staging, preop PFTs), and stage-based management, anchored by classic vignettes and next-best-step decisions.

A board-focused tuberculosis lesson spanning pathophysiology (caseating granulomas, latent vs. reactivation disease), classic vignettes with next-best-step diagnosis (sputum AFB/NAAT/culture, TST-IGRA cutoffs, imaging), and RIPE-based management with drug toxicities. Targets STEP 1 mechanisms and STEP 2 CK decision-making.

A Step 2 CK-focused pulmonology lesson on ARDS and acute respiratory failure, moving from pathophysiology (diffuse alveolar damage, shunt physiology) through the Berlin diagnostic criteria and cardiogenic-edema differential to evidence-based ventilator management. Emphasizes classic vignette buzzwords and next-best-step decisions (intubation with lung-protective ventilation, BiPAP for hypercapnic failure, prone positioning for refractory hypoxemia).

A Step 1–2 walk through pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale — pathophysiology (PVR, remodeling, plexiform lesions), the 5 WHO groups, echo-then-right-heart-cath diagnosis, drug-suffix pathways, and group-specific management. Two board-classic vignettes (idiopathic PAH vs COPD cor pulmonale) drill the pre- vs postcapillary distinction and next-best-step decisions. Reviewed and verified against 2022 ESC/ERS thresholds; no mechanism, PFT/imaging, or next-best-step errors found.