American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the American Board of Internal Medicine Exam. Engage with multiple-choice questions, each offering insights and explanations. Elevate your readiness with comprehensive study tools!

Practice this question and more.

What symptom requires upper endoscopy as per the GERD alarm features?

Heartburn
Unintentional weight loss
Regurgitation
Dyspepsia

The correct answer is: Unintentional weight loss

Unintentional weight loss is a significant alarm feature in the context of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that indicates the need for upper endoscopy. This symptom can suggest the presence of serious underlying conditions, such as esophageal cancer or severe esophagitis, which may require prompt evaluation and intervention. In patients experiencing GERD symptoms, the presence of unintentional weight loss warrants further investigation to rule out malignancy or other structural abnormalities in the esophagus. Other GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia, while commonly associated with the condition, are not typically indications for upper endoscopy unless accompanied by alarm features like weight loss, dysphagia, or gastrointestinal bleeding. The focus on unintentional weight loss as an alarm symptom underscores its potential seriousness and the need for thorough diagnostic exploration.