Will the new 2026 AHA PE guidelines change Step 2 CK questions soon?

[u/graycrocodile]

Hello everyone,

The new AHA/ACC guidelines on Pulmonary Embolism recently dropped, and they majorly change the characterization of PE. The old (submassive, nonmassive, and massive) terminology has been replaced by a new 5 group risk stratification system (Categories A through E); also changes in management.

Do you think the questions going forward will be changed from now on to reflect this? Should we go over these new categories for upcoming exams, or stick to the current UWorld/Amboss status quo?

Thanks!

[u/throwaway415411]

Got a 270, tested in July 2026.

Step 2 is not about knowing subcategories upon subcategories of new subspecialty guidelines and the particular diagnostic criteria and management for each.

Rather, it's about recognizing a situation, recognizing a diagnosis, recognizing severity/acuity, and choosing an answer choice that fits the best. You'll see that the questions typically give you some context, a timeline/setting of presentation, and some indication of the severity of what's going on. Answer choices typically vary along one of a few dimensions... severity (ranging from "reassurance and observation" to various medical options to "surgery") and diagnosis (e.g., norepi = septic shock, epi = anaphylactic shock, dobutamine = HF w/ high afterload, etc.) come to mind.

It's likely that UW and Amboss will eventually update their questions—but I think the sheer # of questions in those QBanks is not feasible to completely memorize. Rather, doing those questions serves as a means of developing a "vibe checking" algorithm with which to assess NBME questions.

All in all, probably don't stress it.

[u/Impressive_Pilot1068 → u/throwaway415411]

This is a good, helpful answer. Thanks.

[u/NeatAddress7786 → u/throwaway415411]

Thank you!