USMLE Step 3 Examination Study Guide
(Latest 2025) Correct Answer s 100%
Pseudogout associations - Correct Answer ✅
hemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, acromegaly,
hypothyroidism
Gout crystals - Correct Answer ✅ negatively birefringent
needles
Pseudogout crystals - Correct Answer ✅ positively
birefringent needles
Vasculitis associated with chronic Hep B - Correct Answer
✅ polyarteritis nodosa
Vasculitis associated with chronic Hep C - Correct Answer
✅ cryoglobulinemia
Best blood test for polyarteritis nodosa - Correct Answer ✅
There is none. Get abdominal angiography first, then biopsy
of muscle, skin, or sural nerve.
,USMLE Step 3 Examination Study Guide
(Latest 2025) Correct Answer s 100%
Churg-Strauss - Correct Answer ✅ vasculitis + eosinophilia
+ asthma
Takayasu's arteritis - Correct Answer ✅ young asian female
with diminished pulses (usually preceeded by fatigue, weight
loss, arthralgia, anemia, elevated ESR)
Best test for Takayasu's - Correct Answer ✅ aortic
angiography or MRA
Bite cells on blood smear - Correct Answer ✅ G6PD
Burr/Spur cells on blood smear - Correct Answer ✅ liver
disease
Acanthocytes on blood smear (looks like spur cell but with
more rounded spurs) - Correct Answer ✅ liver disease,
hypothyroidism, alcoholism
,USMLE Step 3 Examination Study Guide
(Latest 2025) Correct Answer s 100%
Basophilic stippling on blood smear - Correct Answer ✅
lead poisoning
Schistocytes on blood smear - Correct Answer ✅ TTP-HUS,
DIC, prosthetic heart valve, malignant htn, sepsis
Target cells on blood smear - Correct Answer ✅
thalassemia, other hemoglobinopathies, liver disease
5 causes of microcytic anemia - Correct Answer ✅ iron
deficiency, lead poisoning, anemia of chronic disease (but
usually normocytic), thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia (can
also have high MCV)
Antibody test for celiac disease - Correct Answer ✅ anti-
endomysial, tissue transglutaminase (small bowel bx is best
though)
Antibiotics for MRSA - Correct Answer ✅ IV: vanc, linezolid,
daptomycin, tigecycline;
, USMLE Step 3 Examination Study Guide
(Latest 2025) Correct Answer s 100%
if minor infection, can use oral: TMP/SMX, doxy, minocycline,
or maybe clindamycin (there is inducible resistance to clinda
though)
Antibiotics for MSSA - Correct Answer ✅ Oxacillin/nafcillin,
dicloxacillin (IV and oral), cefazolin (IV), cephalexin (oral)
Can you use cephalosporins in pt allergic to PCN? - Correct
Answer ✅ yes, if the rxn is rash only; no if pt has true
anaphylaxis
Antibiotics to use for Staph with PCN allergy - Correct
Answer ✅ cephalosporins if rash only; macrolides,
clindamycin, vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, TMP/SMX
Antibiotics for strep - Correct Answer ✅ PCN, ampicillin,
amoxicillin
Antibiotics for GNRs - Correct Answer ✅ Cephalosporins:
cefepime, ceftazidime
PCNs: piperacillin, ticaricillin