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Ulcerative colitis flare prevention — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardInternal Medicine (Chronic Management)Ulcerative colitis flare preventionUSMLE Step 3

A 29-year-old man with ulcerative colitis takes mesalamine. He has had two flares in 1 year requiring prednisone tapers. Colonoscopy shows moderate continuous inflammation from rectum to transverse colon. He wants to avoid repeated steroids. Which of the following would you recommend at the follow-up visit?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Escalate to steroid-sparing maintenance therapy

Recurrent moderate ulcerative colitis requiring steroids should prompt steroid-sparing maintenance escalation.

Reference: Current US clinical practice standards and USMLE Step 3 content outline, https://www.usmle.org/exam-resources/step-3-materials