American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

How often should a complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic profile be obtained for patients on AEDs?

1. Every month for the first year

2. Every 3 months for the first year

3. At 6 and 12 months in the first year

4. Only once a year

The correct answer is: At 6 and 12 months in the first year

For patients on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), monitoring through a complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic profile (CMP) is essential to detect potential adverse effects and ensure the patient's safety. The correct practice involves obtaining these tests at 6 and 12 months during the first year of therapy. This timing allows for early identification of drug-related hematologic or metabolic abnormalities, which can occur due to certain AEDs that may lead to blood dyscrasias or liver function changes. Although regular monitoring within the first year is crucial, requiring it every month or every three months would be excessive and may not provide significantly more benefits than the two key checkpoints established. Therefore, the recommendation to perform these tests at 6 and 12 months strikes a balance between adequate patient monitoring and practical frequency, thereby ensuring timely adjustments to treatment if necessary while minimizing potential discomfort or inconvenience to the patient.