USMLE Step 2 CK Respiratory Practice Questions
5–10% of Step 2 CK · 30 practice questions with a note on every option
316 questions in 16 timed 30-minute blocks, with your score in respiratory and every other content area.
Free respiratory drillA 54-year-old woman has been hospitalized for 4 days with right lower lobe pneumonia and is receiving intravenous ceftriaxone and azithromycin. She still has fevers to 38.8°C (101.8°F) and pleuritic pain. Chest x-ray shows a new moderate right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields cloudy fluid with pH 7.05, glucose 38 mg/dL, LDH 1,450 U/L (serum reference 45-200 U/L), and leukocyte count 28,000/mm³ with 90% neutrophils. Gram stain shows no organisms. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
Respiratory System on Step 2 CK
The Respiratory System is 5–10% of Step 2 CK. Expect stepwise therapy for asthma and COPD, pneumonia site-of-care and antibiotic choices, and the workup of a lung nodule or a pleural effusion.
- Share of Step 2 CK
- 5–10% of the exam, per the USMLE content outline
- On our mock exam
- 24 of 316 questions, with your score for this system in the result
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 30 respiratory questions, untimed, a note on every option; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What Step 2 CK respiratory questions test
- Asthma and COPD: stepwise therapy and exacerbations
- Community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism diagnosis and treatment
- Lung nodules and lung cancer screening
- Pleural effusion, pneumothorax and interstitial lung disease
- Sleep apnea, ARDS and mechanical ventilation basics
Sit all 316 questions in timed blocks
316 questions in 16 timed 30-minute blocks, with your score in respiratory and every other content area.
Free respiratory drillHow to study it
- Learn the step-up and step-down plans for asthma and the GOLD groups for COPD.
- Know the criteria for lung cancer screening.
- Use Light criteria for every pleural effusion question.
Common questions
Which guidelines do respiratory questions follow?
Current US and international guidance used in US practice: GINA for asthma, GOLD for COPD, the ATS/IDSA community-acquired pneumonia guideline and USPSTF lung cancer screening.
How many respiratory questions are on our mock?
24 of 316, inside the content outline’s 5–10% range.
316 questions in 16 timed 30-minute blocks, with your score in respiratory and every other content area.
Free respiratory drillThe other Step 2 CK systems
Sources
- USMLE: Step 1 (blocks, items, testing day, break time)
- USMLE: Step 2 CK (blocks, items, testing day, break time)
- USMLE: Test delivery software updates for Step 2 CK and Step 1 (May 2026)
- USMLE: Step 1 content outline and specifications
- USMLE: Step 2 CK content outline and specifications
- USMLE: Examination results and scoring (minimum passing scores)
- USMLE Bulletin: Scoring and score reporting (about 60% correct to pass; result timing)
- USMLE Bulletin: Eligibility (attempt limits)
- USMLE: Apply for exams (2026 and 2027 fees, FSMB registration, region fees)
- USMLE: Performance data (pass rates)
- Intealth ECFMG: Fees overview (ECFMG Certification)
Original practice questions written to the USMLE content outlines and current standard references. USMLE® is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and NBME. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the FSMB, NBME or Intealth (ECFMG). Follow current guidelines in clinical practice.