PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EXAM /
PAEA EOC 2026/2027 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
what exactly causes the occlusive vascular disease of thromboangiitis obliterans? -
ANSWER-aka Buerger's disease
inflammatory thrombi affecting the medium and small vessels
(nonatherosclerosis)
polymorphonuclear leukocytes, microabscesses, and multinucleated giant cells
may be presen
Treatment options for thromboangiitis obliterans? - ANSWER-smoking cessation
most important!
cilostazol (PDE 3 inhibitor) has vasodilator properties (alleviated symptoms)
if raynauds also present, CCB (nifedipine)
,what heart failure treatment provides a benefit of reduction in morbidity and
mortality? - ANSWER-ACE inhibitors
beta blockers can also reduce M&M
diuretics have no reduction in mortality
how would you manage a patient with a MI in the setting of cocaine use? -
ANSWER-benzodiazepine early
no beta blockers
If PCI cannot be done for a STEMI patient within 120 minutes, what should be
done? - ANSWER-fibrolytic therapy
then do PCI & coronary angiography when it can be done
ideally PCI is done within 90 minutes
fibrolytic therapy can be used up to 12 hours of symptoms
If you suspect an acute limb ischemia due to arterial embolism, what imaging
should you get? - ANSWER-catheter-based arteriography (digital subtraction
arteriography) provides the most useful information. can also help with treatment
can help distinguish between thrombosis and embolus
,where are arterial emboli often found? - ANSWER-lower extremities more
common than upper extremities
The common femoral, common iliac, and popliteal artery bifurcations are frequent
locations
majority originate in the heart
fun fact: Compared with thromboemboli, atheroemboli are less likely to produce
symptoms of acute limb ischemia
how would you work up a patient with treatment resistant hypertension that you
suspect a secondary cause? - ANSWER-24-hour ambulatory monitoring (to ensure
not white coat)
medical hx (assess adherence to meds, other meds)
physical exam (look for abominal/renal bruits)
labs (electrolytes, glucose, creatinine, UA)
If pheo suspected: measure fractionated metanephrines and catecholamines in a
24-hour urine collection
other than atherosclerosis leading to renal artery stenosis and secondary HTN,
what is another causes of a renal-associated secondary HTN? - ANSWER-
fibromuscular dysplasia (usually in a young pt)
most important modifable risk factor for AAA? - ANSWER-smoking cessation!
, when is it okay to do screening survelliance for AAA rather than repair and how
often should you screen? - ANSWER-if AAA is <5.5 cm then annual screening with
US is recommended. may need every 6 months if rapidly expanding or other
concerns
how should you educate a patient with AAA on exercise? - ANSWER-Patients
should be counseled that moderate physical activity such as running, biking,
swimming, hiking, or sexual activity and activities such as gardening, golfing, and
horseback riding do not precipitate AAA rupture
Moderate physical therapy may also limit aneurysm expansion. In experimental
aneurysms, increased aortic blood flow appears to inhibit AAA expansion
However, heavy lifting, especially while holding the breath, and other activities
that lead to Valsalva transiently induce significant increases in blood pressure and
should be avoided
gold standard for dx renal artery stenosis? what can be used to monitor disease
progression? - ANSWER-renal arteriography
But really a spiral CT angiography is very useful and probably more likely done first
duplex doppler US can be used to monitor disease progression
PAEA EOC 2026/2027 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
what exactly causes the occlusive vascular disease of thromboangiitis obliterans? -
ANSWER-aka Buerger's disease
inflammatory thrombi affecting the medium and small vessels
(nonatherosclerosis)
polymorphonuclear leukocytes, microabscesses, and multinucleated giant cells
may be presen
Treatment options for thromboangiitis obliterans? - ANSWER-smoking cessation
most important!
cilostazol (PDE 3 inhibitor) has vasodilator properties (alleviated symptoms)
if raynauds also present, CCB (nifedipine)
,what heart failure treatment provides a benefit of reduction in morbidity and
mortality? - ANSWER-ACE inhibitors
beta blockers can also reduce M&M
diuretics have no reduction in mortality
how would you manage a patient with a MI in the setting of cocaine use? -
ANSWER-benzodiazepine early
no beta blockers
If PCI cannot be done for a STEMI patient within 120 minutes, what should be
done? - ANSWER-fibrolytic therapy
then do PCI & coronary angiography when it can be done
ideally PCI is done within 90 minutes
fibrolytic therapy can be used up to 12 hours of symptoms
If you suspect an acute limb ischemia due to arterial embolism, what imaging
should you get? - ANSWER-catheter-based arteriography (digital subtraction
arteriography) provides the most useful information. can also help with treatment
can help distinguish between thrombosis and embolus
,where are arterial emboli often found? - ANSWER-lower extremities more
common than upper extremities
The common femoral, common iliac, and popliteal artery bifurcations are frequent
locations
majority originate in the heart
fun fact: Compared with thromboemboli, atheroemboli are less likely to produce
symptoms of acute limb ischemia
how would you work up a patient with treatment resistant hypertension that you
suspect a secondary cause? - ANSWER-24-hour ambulatory monitoring (to ensure
not white coat)
medical hx (assess adherence to meds, other meds)
physical exam (look for abominal/renal bruits)
labs (electrolytes, glucose, creatinine, UA)
If pheo suspected: measure fractionated metanephrines and catecholamines in a
24-hour urine collection
other than atherosclerosis leading to renal artery stenosis and secondary HTN,
what is another causes of a renal-associated secondary HTN? - ANSWER-
fibromuscular dysplasia (usually in a young pt)
most important modifable risk factor for AAA? - ANSWER-smoking cessation!
, when is it okay to do screening survelliance for AAA rather than repair and how
often should you screen? - ANSWER-if AAA is <5.5 cm then annual screening with
US is recommended. may need every 6 months if rapidly expanding or other
concerns
how should you educate a patient with AAA on exercise? - ANSWER-Patients
should be counseled that moderate physical activity such as running, biking,
swimming, hiking, or sexual activity and activities such as gardening, golfing, and
horseback riding do not precipitate AAA rupture
Moderate physical therapy may also limit aneurysm expansion. In experimental
aneurysms, increased aortic blood flow appears to inhibit AAA expansion
However, heavy lifting, especially while holding the breath, and other activities
that lead to Valsalva transiently induce significant increases in blood pressure and
should be avoided
gold standard for dx renal artery stenosis? what can be used to monitor disease
progression? - ANSWER-renal arteriography
But really a spiral CT angiography is very useful and probably more likely done first
duplex doppler US can be used to monitor disease progression
