PLAB 1 rewards knowing the UK first-line management. Use this map as a syllabus. The identifiers are NICE guideline numbers at the time of writing; always open the current version, because guidelines are updated and replaced.
| Area | Topic | Guideline to learn |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Suspected sepsis | NICE NG51 |
| Emergency | Anaphylaxis | NICE CG134 and Resuscitation Council UK |
| Emergency | Head injury | NICE NG232 |
| Emergency | Major trauma | NICE NG39 |
| Emergency | Acute kidney injury | NICE NG148 |
| Emergency | Venous thromboembolism | NICE NG158 |
| Cardiovascular | Acute coronary syndromes | NICE NG185 |
| Cardiovascular | Hypertension | NICE NG136 |
| Cardiovascular | Atrial fibrillation | NICE NG196 |
| Cardiovascular | Heart failure | NICE NG106 |
| Cardiovascular | Lipid modification | NICE NG238 |
| Neurology | Stroke and TIA | NICE NG128 |
| Neurology | Epilepsies | NICE NG217 |
| Neurology | Dementia | NICE NG97 |
| Respiratory | Asthma | The joint British Thoracic Society, NICE and SIGN asthma guideline (NICE NG245) |
| Respiratory | COPD | NICE NG115 |
| Endocrine | Type 2 diabetes | NICE NG28 |
| Endocrine | Type 1 diabetes | NICE NG17 |
| Endocrine | Thyroid disease | NICE NG145 |
| Gastroenterology | Dyspepsia and reflux | NICE CG184 |
| Gastroenterology | Upper GI bleeding | NICE CG141 |
| Gastroenterology | Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis | NICE NG129 and NG130 |
| Gastroenterology | Irritable bowel syndrome | NICE CG61 |
| Cancer | Recognising and referring suspected cancer | NICE NG12 |
| Mental health | Depression in adults | NICE NG222 |
| Mental health | Self-harm | NICE NG225 |
| Mental health | Anxiety | NICE CG113 |
| Mental health | Psychosis and schizophrenia | NICE CG178 |
| Mental health | Bipolar disorder | NICE CG185 |
| Mental health | Alcohol-use disorders | NICE CG115 |
| Obstetrics | Antenatal care | NICE NG201 |
| Obstetrics | Hypertension in pregnancy | NICE NG133 |
| Obstetrics | Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage | NICE NG126 |
| Obstetrics | Intrapartum care | NICE NG235 |
| Obstetrics | Postnatal care | NICE NG194 |
| Gynaecology | Menopause | NICE NG23 |
| Gynaecology | Contraception | Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare guidance; NICE CG30 |
| Paediatrics | Fever in under-5s | NICE NG143 |
| Paediatrics | Bronchiolitis | NICE NG9 |
| Paediatrics | Neonatal jaundice | NICE CG98 |
| Paediatrics | Diarrhoea and vomiting in under-5s | NICE CG84 |
| Paediatrics | When to suspect child maltreatment | NICE CG89 |
| Musculoskeletal | Hip fracture | NICE CG124 |
| Musculoskeletal | Low back pain and sciatica | NICE NG59 |
| Musculoskeletal | Rheumatoid arthritis | NICE NG100 |
| Musculoskeletal | Gout | NICE NG219 |
| Musculoskeletal | Osteoarthritis | NICE NG226 |
| Renal and urology | Chronic kidney disease | NICE NG203 |
| Renal and urology | Lower urinary tract infection | NICE NG109 |
| Safe practice | Medicines optimisation | NICE NG5 |
| Safe practice | Blood transfusion | NICE NG24 |
General education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Guidance changes: confirm with the official sources. Not medical, legal or immigration advice.