UTHSC PA Program Podcast

In this episode, we review tympanic membrane perforation, a rupture of the eardrum commonly caused by acute otitis media, direct trauma, or barotrauma. We discuss the classic presentation of sudden ear pain followed by relief, otorrhea, conductive hearing loss, and occasional tinnitus or vertigo, along with the importance of otoscopic examination and audiometry in diagnosis. The segment also cover...

In this episode, we review peritonsillar abscess (quinsy), the most common deep infection of the head and neck, typically developing as a complication of acute tonsillitis or pharyngitis. We discuss the classic presentation of severe unilateral sore throat, fever, dysphagia, trismus, muffled "hot potato" voice, and uvular deviation away from the affected side, along with important risk factors and...

In this episode, we review labyrinthitis, an inflammatory disorder of the inner ear affecting both vestibular and cochlear function, most commonly associated with viral infections. We discuss the classic presentation of acute severe vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss, emphasizing how the presence of hearing loss distinguishes labyrinthitis from vestibular neuritis....

In this episode, we review gingivitis, a common and reversible inflammatory condition of the gums caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque along the gingival margin. We discuss important risk factors—including poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, diabetes, hormonal changes, and certain medications—along with the classic presentation of red, swollen, tender gums, bleeding with brushing or flossing...

In this episode, we review corneal abrasions, one of the most common ocular injuries, resulting from disruption of the corneal epithelium due to trauma, foreign bodies, or contact lens use. We discuss the classic presentation of sudden eye pain, foreign body sensation, tearing, photophobia, and blurred vision, along with the diagnostic importance of fluorescein staining and slit-lamp examination....

In this episode, we review amaurosis fugax, a transient, painless episode of monocular vision loss caused by temporary retinal ischemia and most commonly associated with embolic disease from carotid atherosclerosis. We discuss the classic description of a "curtain" or "shade" descending over one eye, important vascular risk factors, and why symptoms typically resolve completely within minutes. The...

In this episode, we review age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative disease of the macula that causes painless central vision loss while typically preserving peripheral vision. We break down the key differences between dry and wet AMD, including the gradual vision loss, drusen, and retinal atrophy associated with dry disease versus the more sudden visual changes, hemorrhage, and neov...

In this episode, we review cataracts, a common cause of progressive vision loss resulting from opacification of the lens. We discuss important risk factors—including aging, tobacco use, chronic sun exposure, diabetes, ocular injury, and prolonged steroid use—and the classic presentation of painless, progressive blurry vision, increased glare and halos, and difficulty with night vision. The segment...

n this episode, we review patent foramen ovale (PFO), a common congenital finding caused by incomplete fusion of the septum primum and septum secundum after birth. We discuss why most PFOs are asymptomatic and hemodynamically insignificant, as well as how transient increases in right-sided pressure can permit right-to-left shunting. The segment also covers diagnosis with agitated-saline echocardio...

In this episode, we review Kawasaki disease, an immune-mediated vasculitis that primarily affects young children and represents an important cause of acquired coronary artery disease. We discuss the classic "CRASH and BURN" presentation—conjunctivitis, rash, cervical adenopathy, strawberry tongue and oral changes, hand and foot changes, and persistent fever—and the laboratory and echocardiographic...

In this episode, we review central venous line placement, including the major indications for central access and the three primary insertion sites: the internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral veins. We walk through the essential steps of sterile central line insertion using the Seldinger technique, from patient positioning and venous access to guidewire placement, dilation, catheter insertion, a...

In this episode, we review transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a critical cyanotic congenital heart defect in which the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, creating two parallel circulations. We discuss why survival depends on mixing through an ASD, VSD, or patent ductus arteriosus, and highlight the classic neonatal presentation of cyanos...

In this episode, we review bradycardia, focusing on how abnormalities in cardiac impulse generation or conduction can produce a heart rate below 60 beats per minute and, when severe, compromise cardiac output.  We distinguish physiologic from pathologic bradycardia and discuss symptoms of impaired perfusion, including fatigue, dizziness, syncope, dyspnea, hypotension, altered mental status, and sh...

In this episode, we review postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI), an acute decline in kidney function caused by urinary outflow obstruction that creates backpressure and decreases glomerular filtration. We discuss common causes—including BPH, nephrolithiasis, malignancy, urethral strictures, and neurogenic bladder—and why significant AKI typically requires bilateral obstruction, obstruction of a sol...

In this episode, we review prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI), an acute decline in kidney function caused by decreased renal perfusion without initial structural damage to the kidneys. We break down the major causes—including volume depletion, decreased cardiac output or effective circulating volume, and medication-related changes in renal hemodynamics—and explain how activation of the RAAS and AD...

In this episode, we review intrinsic acute kidney injury (AKI), an abrupt decline in renal function caused by direct injury to the kidney parenchyma. We break down the major causes—including acute tubular necrosis (ATN), acute interstitial nephritis, glomerular disease, and vascular injury—and discuss the clinical and diagnostic clues that help distinguish them. The segment also covers urinalysis...

In this episode, we review autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common inherited kidney disorder, characterized by progressive development of bilateral renal cysts and commonly associated with PKD1 and PKD2 variants. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic role of renal imaging, and important renal and systemic complications, including hypertension, progressive c...

In this episode, we review horseshoe kidney, the most common congenital renal fusion anomaly, in which the kidneys are typically fused at their lower poles and remain abnormally low and rotated.  We discuss how this altered anatomy can impair urinary drainage and increase the risk of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, hydronephrosis, nephrolithiasis, and recurrent urinary tract infections. ...

In this episode, we review hypothyroidism, focusing on the causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of decreased thyroid hormone production. We discuss Hashimoto thyroiditis, the most common cause in iodine-sufficient regions, along with central and iatrogenic causes of hypothyroidism. Learn to recognize classic findings such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation,...

In this episode, we review hyperthyroidism, including the major etiologies of Graves disease, toxic nodular disease, and thyroiditis. We discuss classic clinical findings such as weight loss despite increased appetite, heat intolerance, palpitations, tremor, and tachycardia, along with the distinctive features of Graves disease. The episode also breaks down the diagnostic approach using TSH, T3/T4...

In this episode, we review Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodes ticks. We break down the progression from early localized disease with erythema migrans to disseminated manifestations such as facial nerve palsy, meningitis, cardiac conduction abnormalities, and late Lyme arthritis. We also discuss when Lyme...

In this episode, we review Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii that produces systemic vasculitis and can rapidly progress to severe multisystem disease. We discuss key risk factors, the classic rash progression from the wrists and ankles to the palms, soles, and trunk, and important laboratory clues including thro...

In this episode, we break down hypoglycemia, from the body's normal counterregulatory response to the mechanisms that place patients with diabetes at increased risk for severe episodes. We review key risk factors and the differences between fasting, postprandial, and medication-induced hypoglycemia, along with the progression from early neurogenic symptoms such as tremor, sweating, palpitations, a...

  References Bushardt RL, Colomb-Lippa DM, Klinger AM, Reed H.  The JAAPA QRS Review for PAs: Study Plan and Guide for PANCE and PANRE . 1st ed. LWW; 2021. ISBN: 9781975143817 Attaran RR, Edwards ML, Arena FJ, et al. 2025 SCAI Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Venous Disease: This statement was endorsed by the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM).  J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr...

In this episode, we review hypotension, a clinical state of abnormally low blood pressure that can lead to inadequate tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction. We discuss the major underlying mechanisms, including hypovolemia, distributive shock, cardiogenic causes, and obstructive physiology, along with common risk factors such as dehydration, hemorrhage, sepsis, medications, endocrine disorders, a...