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Severe hypertriglyceridemia — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModerateInternal Medicine (Chronic Management)Severe hypertriglyceridemiaUSMLE Step 3

A 45-year-old man has fasting triglycerides of 980 mg/dL on repeat testing. He drinks alcohol on weekends and has poorly controlled diabetes. He has no abdominal pain. LDL cannot be calculated. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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

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Correct answer: E — Treat secondary causes and start triglyceride-lowering therapy

Severe hypertriglyceridemia increases pancreatitis risk and requires secondary-cause management and triglyceride-lowering therapy.

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