Physician Assistant Exam Review

Acute bronchitis Things to know Infection of the large bronchi Most often caused by a virus RSV Rhinovirus Influenza 5-10% are bacterial I came in to see my physician assistant because of… Shortness of breath Cough can last for more than three weeks Wheezing Fever Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Prolonged expiration Wheezing or […]

Hypernatremia Some things you should know Normal sodium level is 135-145 Hypernatremia is serum sodium is greater than 145 or 150 Causes GI loss (diarrhea, vomiting) Urinary loss (diuretics) Insensible loss (respiratory tract losses) Burns Diabetes Insipidus (Anti diuretic hormone deficiency or insensitivity) Salt overdose (Don’t forget IV fluids and tube feeding) I came in […]

A Few Things to Know before we begin Normal GFR is 100-130 mL/min/1.73m2 Symptoms of uremia may include Anorexia Fatigue Malaise Dyspnea Orthopnea Change in mental status restless legs Weakness Pruritis Insomnia Irritability Cramping etc…. Signs of uremia may include Hypertension Asterixis (flapping tremor:  Arms outstretched, wrist fully extended hand flaps) Weight loss Acute kidney injury […]

Infectious/Inflammatory Conditions Epididymitis The most frequent cause of acute pain in the scrotumThings to know Associated with urethritis Causes Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoeae Gram negative rods I came in to see my physician assistant because of… My scrotum hurts Swollen scrotum urethral discharge Pain with voiding Fever Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Prehn’s sign […]

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Things to know Advancing age is a risk factor.  90% of men older than 80 will have BPH I came in to see my physician assistant because of… Getting up multiple times overnight to urinate (nocturia) Hesitancy Decreased urine flow Incomplete bladder emptying Frequency Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings History […]

A discussion of confidence and a new plan of attack.

Anal Fissures Things to Know Ulcers near the rectum Most commonly found in the posterior midline If found anywhere else it may be indicative of Crohn’s, TB, Syphilis or Cancer I came in to see my physician assistant today because of… Extreme pain especially during a bowel movement Bloody stool is a possibility Labs, Studies […]

Toxic Megacolon Things to know Massive dilation of the colon in acute colitis I came in to see my physician assistant because of… I have had colitis and now I am extremely sick Fever Severe hypovolemia Abdominal distention Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Abdominal tenderness Serial abdominal plain x-ray Treatment Treat the severe colitis […]

Today's session covers pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, appendicitis, diverticulitis, celiac, constipation, Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.

Today we cover the liver and the gallbladder for your PANCE or PANRE.

In this weeks PANRE review podcast we start GI with the esophagus and the stomach.

How test day went and how I prepared for it.

As most of you know I am planning on taking my PANRE in early June.  It’s getting towards the end of May and yes I’m starting to panic a little.  Not much, but a little. In today’s session I briefly discuss how I am specifically preparing for the PANRE.  I cover the tools I am […]

In this session we finish up EENT, and I sign off for awhile in order to really buckle down.

Tinnitus A high pitched ringing in the ears Causes I came in to see my physician assistant because of… There is a high pitched ringing in my ears driving me nuts! I can hear my heartbeat in my ears This is pulsatile tinnitus usually caused by conductive hearing loss I hear a clicking in my […]