USMLE Step I Exam - Respiratory System and the Skin and Related Connected Tissue

The topics covered on the exam related to the respiratory system, the skin, and the related tissue connected to the skin are actually almost identical to the gastrointestinal topics covered on the exam except that each of the topics covered relates to its respective body system instead of the gastrointestinal system. As a result, the questions on the exam related to the respiratory system, the skin, and any related tissue connected to the skin are based on topics such as embryonic development, fetal maturation, function of organs and organ structure, defense mechanisms, natural flora of the system, perinatal changes, and the structure and function of the cells and tissue that make up the organs of each system. The questions on the exam for these systems also cover topics related to diseases, disorders, and other abnormal conditions that might affect each system, how each system repairs itself and regenerates cells and tissue, how each system changes as an individual ages, and methods for treating diseases and disorders affecting these systems. The types of respiratory diseases and disorders covered on the exam include circulatory disorders, infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, immunologic disorders, mechanical disorders, metabolic disorders, neoplastic disorders, regulatory disorders, structural disorders, traumatic disorders, vascular disorders, and other diseases and disorders that affect the respiratory system. Some specific examples of the respiratory diseases and disorders normally covered on the exam are asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, polyps, sinusitis, sleep apnea, and many other similar diseases and disorders.

The types of diseases and disorders that affect the skin and any tissue related to the skin covered on the exam include all of the groups indicated in the list above for the respiratory system except for circulatory disorders. Some specific examples of skin diseases and disorders normally covered on the exam are acne, chickenpox, lice, injuries caused by heat, injuries caused by exposure to the sun, injuries caused by radiation, melanoma, Marfan syndrome, vasculitis, vitamin deficiencies, and many other similar diseases and disorders. These diseases, disorders, and topics do not necessarily include every topic that will be covered on the exam, but most of the questions regarding these systems will relate specifically to these topics.