We are excited to see so many of you join our fall FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

1. Pay attention to the questions. Look carefully at how many items you are being asked to list. If the question asks for five items, you will not get more marks if you list eight items; the examiner will look at the first five and allocate marks only for the first five answers – so be careful. On a SAMP, if it is not clearly stated how many items you should list, look at the amount of points/marks being allocated for the question to get an idea of how many answers the examiner may be anticipating you write down.

2. Do not write lengthy answers. Most questions can be answered in 10 words or less!

3. Be specific when writing down investigations (hemoglobin instead of CBC; CT abdomen instead of CT).

4. Remember that trade names and generic names are both acceptable when writing down medications.

5. For more helpful tips, you can refer to CCFP’s SAMP instructions by clicking here.

SAMP

The Long and Short of Long-COVID in Adults (5 points)

1. True or false: Fatigue and post-exertional malaise related to COVID-19 should be treated with structured activity and energy conservation strategies. (1 point)

• • True. A helpful framework is discussed in CMAJ – The 4 Ps
    • Pacing
    • Prioritizing
    • Positioning to make activities easier
    • Planning

2. True or false: People with sleep disturbances related to Long-COVID can receive counselling and medication. (1 point)

• • True. Sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, stimulus control, CBT, and pharmacotherapy can be discussed with patients (eszopiclone, zolpidem, doxepin). It would also be reasonable to consider a sleep study depending on risk factors and history.

3. True or false: Breathing exercises, body positioning, and pulmonary rehabilitation are not recommended for Long-COVID. (1 point)

• • False. The above may improve symptoms.

4. True or false: Persisting hypoxemia is commonly seen in Long-COVID. (1 point)

• • False. Persisting hypoxemia is NOT a common manifestation of Long-COVID. Remember to rule out other underlying lung etiologies.

5. True or false: Cardiac dysautonomia has been associated with Long-COVID. (1 point)

• • True. Ensure you are ordering appropriate testing depending on history and physical examination.

Helpful CMAJ Resource:
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/2/E76