Internal Medicine MOC Sample Questions

The correct answer is E. Oral challenge

Explanation: Skin testing and blood work without a consistent history of IgE mediated reaction can lead to false diagnosis of food allergies. Approximately 20% of all bloodwork and skin testing can be positive without clinical reactivity and therefore over testing for food without any clinical history is discouraged. Though skin testing and bloodwork can help determine the likelihood of food allergy, the gold standard for diagnosis is an oral food challenge. (A) History and skin testing- Skin testing with a valid history is helpful in determining the likelihood of food allergy, but it is not the gold standard in diagnosis. (B) History and IgE bloodwork- Bloodwork with a valid history is helpful in determining the likelihood of food allergy, but it is not the gold standard in diagnosis. (C) Skin testing without any history leads to false positive results. The gold standard for diagnosis is oral food challenge. (D) Bloodwork without any history leads to false positive results. The gold standard for diagnosis is oral food challenge.