Summary Physician Assistant Core Topics Overview – Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology & Emergency Care | PA-C Study Notes | PANCE/PANRE Prep Material

Physician Assistant Core Topics Overview –
Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology & Emergency
Care | PA-C Study Notes Cardiovascular System
Key Conditions:

 Hypertension: JNC guidelines, target BP <130/80 for most patients

 Coronary artery disease: Risk stratification, medical management, interventions

 Heart failure: NYHA classification, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, diuretics

 Arrhythmias: EKG interpretation, management protocols

Diagnostic Tools:

 EKG interpretation (STEMI, NSTEMI, arrhythmias)

 Echocardiography basics

 Stress testing indications

 Cardiac biomarkers (troponin, BNP)

Pulmonary System

Key Conditions:

 Asthma: Step therapy, peak flow monitoring, triggers

 COPD: Spirometry, bronchodilators, oxygen therapy

 Pneumonia: CAP vs HAP, antibiotic selection

 Pulmonary embolism: Wells score, D-dimer, imaging

Diagnostic Tools:

 Chest X-ray interpretation

 Spirometry values (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio)

 ABG interpretation

 Peak flow measurements

Gastrointestinal System

, Key Conditions:

 GERD: PPI therapy, lifestyle modifications

 Peptic ulcer disease: H. pylori testing and treatment

 IBD vs IBS: Differentiation and management

 Hepatitis: Serologic markers, treatment protocols

Red Flags:

 GI bleeding signs

 Acute abdomen presentations

 Jaundice evaluation

Endocrine System

Diabetes Management:

 Type 1 vs Type 2 differentiation

 HbA1c targets (generally <7%)

 Medication classes: Metformin first-line, insulin protocols

 Complications: Neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy

Thyroid Disorders:

 TSH interpretation

 Hyperthyroidism vs hypothyroidism

 Medication management

Infectious Diseases

Antibiotic Selection:

 Community-acquired pneumonia: Macrolides, fluoroquinolones

 UTIs: Nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

 Skin/soft tissue: Clindamycin, cephalexin

 Antibiotic resistance patterns

Key Infections: