Physician Assistant Exam Review Podcast

Macrocytic Anemia Macrocytic anemias produce strange dysfunctional blood cells. This will result in some hemolysis and progress to splenic dysfunction as the spleen becomes overloaded. Howell-Jolly bodies are DNA remnants seen with a macrocytic anemia or a damaged spleen. You will find them in B12 deficiency anemia, folate deficient anemia, sickle cell anemia and celiac […] The post S2 E076...

Anemia Anemia means low RBC or Hgb count. A patient could be bleeding out and have a low Hgb or they could have a dietary deficiency. Anemia is a starting place. As we get more detailed and more specific we can get a more clear diagnosis and treatment plan. One of the easiest places to […] The post S2 E075 Microcytic Anemia and a Better Way to Remember appeared first on Physician Assistant E...

Red Blood Cells Priming Questions What are the four polypeptide chains that make up hemoglobin? Define polycythemia What does MCV stand for and what does it mean? Define hemolysis. Red Blood Cells Simplified The specific shape of a RBC gives it an increased surface area for better gas exchange and flexibility for fitting into tiny […] The post S2 E074 Red Blood Cells appeared first on Physic...

Red Blood cells, White blood cells, Platelets Our Three Basic Problems We either have to many We don’t have enough What’s being made isn’t working correctly Cytoses Polycythemia – to many RBC’s Thrombocytosis -to many Platelets Cytopenias Anemia – low RBC Leukopenia  -low WBC Coagulation disorders Clotting factor disorders – messed up clotting factors ...

Parotitis/Sialadentitis Painful swelling of the parotid one or both parotid glands Cause Viral infection Historically the number one cause was the mumps Parainfluenza and Epstein barr are the most common HIV Bacterial infection Staph Aureus is the most common bacteria Autoimmune disease Sjogrens Blockage Stone Mucus plug Dehydration Clinical Presentation Facial swelling Facial pain Difficulty [&#8...

Oropharyngeal Infections/Inflammatory disorders Aphthous ulcers (Canker sore) Round ulcer on oral mucosa Unknown etiology Clinical Presentation Small open sore in the mouth The sore is yellow or white Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Clinical diagnosis Treatment Self limiting ½ hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine mouthwash Corticosteroids Oral candidiasis (Thrush) Yeast infection of the mou...

Acute/chronic sinusitis An inflammation/infection of the sinuses Typically secondary to an upper respiratory infection or seasonal allergies Most common pathogens Strep pneumoniae Haemophilus Influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis Staph aureus Predisposing Factors Anything that obstructs drainage from the sinuses Smoking – (decreases movement of cilia) Deviated septum Cystic fibrosis Large adenoids Clin...

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) Slow growing benign tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve, CN VIII Occurs in males and females equally Most often found in those between the ages of 50 and 60. The are the most common intracranial tumor Clinical Presentation Sudden onset of unilateral hearing loss that is then slowly progressive Episodic or continuous […] The post S2 E069 Inner Ear and...

External Ear Cerumen Impaction Ear wax built up in the external ear canal Cerumen can be impacted by the patients use of a cotton swab Clinical Presentation Routine office visit Progressive hearing loss Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Otoscope exam reveals cerumen in the ear canal Hearing test comparing both ears Treatment Solvents may […] The post S2 E068 External and Inner Ear fro...

This week I’m bringing you an amazing person and an amazing interview. The interview with Alana in Episode 061 about her first failing and then passing her PANCE was so good I decided to put together another interview. This week, for the second ever interview on the PAER podcast, I have an amazing member of […] The post S2 E067 Failing PA School appeared first on Physician Assistant Ex...

Vascular disorders Retinal Artery Occlusion Causes & Predisposing Factors Clot Sclerosis HTN DM Atrial Fibrillation Temporal arteritis Clinical Presentation ACUTE vision loss Partial Complete NO PAIN Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Fundal exam Optic atrophy Pale disc Cherry red spot – its actually that the rest of the retina is pale Boxcarring- narrowing of […] The post S2 E066...

Blowout Fracture A fracture of the orbit Clinical Presentation “I got my face smashed in!” Ecchymosis Difficulty with vertical eye movement Diplopia Infraorbital anesthesia secondary to trauma to the infraorbital nerve Swelling Subconjunctival hemorrhage Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings X-ray – orbital floor fracture may show Teardrop sign. This is herniated orbital contents. Get [&#...

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Disorders Nystagmus An involuntary rhythmic eye movement Patient is usually unaware that it’s happening, but may have blurred vision Causes Congenital neurological problem Trauma Stroke Multiple Sclerosis Inner ear inflammation Alcohol Sudden head movements Looking out a train window etc Clinical Presentation Dizziness/Vertigo N/V Involuntary rhythmic eye movement Up and down...

Blepharitis An infection of the eyelid Acute blepharitis is most commonly caused by Staph May be viral Seborrheic dermatitis or acne rosacea can also cause blepharitis Clinical Presentation Eyelid Loss of eyelashes Red Itchy Burning Scaly Swollen Labs and Studies Slit lamp Treatment Seborrheic dermatitis Clean off scales from Warm wet washcloth with a mild […] The post S2 E063 The Eyeball Pa...

We start the eyeball today with conjunctivitis The post S2 E062 The Eyeball Part 1 appeared first on Physician Assistant Exam Review .

I discuss with Alana what happens after you fail your PANCE. The post S2 EP 061 What to do When You Fail The PANCE appeared first on Physician Assistant Exam Review .

Other Pulmonary Disease Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Severe inflammation of the lung tissue which impairs gas exchange secondary to acute injury secondary to pulmonary edema Without treatment 90% of patients will die Things associated with the onset of ARDS The majority of ARDS cases are seen in these settings Sepsis Severe trauma Aspiration of […] The post S2 E060 Pulmonology...

Lung Cancer #1 cause of cancer related deaths 85% of cases are associated with smoking Multiple exposure and exposure to other toxins increases risk Five year survival rate is 15% Small Cell and Non Small Cell Complications SVC syndrome Compression of the vena cava Pancoast Tumor Tumor at the apex of lung causing shoulder pain […] The post S2 E059 Pulm Neoplastic Disease appeared first on Ph...

Influenza Influenza is an orthomyxovirus Most commonly seen during the fall and winter Incubation period of 18-72 hours Secondary diseases are a major concern Pneumonia Reye’s syndrome Children under 18 Biggest risk factors are having the Flu or Varicella and being treated with aspirin 30% fatality rate Clinical Presentation Sudden onset of symptoms Fever/Chills Malaise […] The post S2 E058...

Acute bronchitis Infection of the large bronchi Most often caused by a virus RSV Rhinovirus Influenza 5-10% are bacterial Usually follows a URI Clinical Presentation Shortness of breath Cough can last for more than three weeks Wheezing Fever Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Prolonged expiration Wheezing or rhonchi X-ray showing hyperinflation of the lungs […] The post S2 E057 Pulmona...

Pneumonia Community Acquired Pneumonia From oxford dictionary – Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Inflammation may affect both lungs ( double pneumonia ), one lung ( single pneumonia ), or only certain lobes ( lobar pneumonia ). Causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae […] The post S2 E056 Pneumonia appear...

PA WEEK! and pulmonary HTN, PE and more The post S2 E055 Pulmonary Circ and PA WEEK! appeared first on Physician Assistant Exam Review .

Pneumothorax with a touch of decreasing your stress level The post S2 E054 Pleural disease for the PANCE appeared first on Physician Assistant Exam Review .

Restrictive Pulmonary Disease Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis The development of scar tissue within the lungs Clinical presentation Dyspnea Dry cough Chest discomfort Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings Fine crackles at the bases may be present FEV1 is reduced FVC is reduced Lung volumes are reduced Chest x-ray may not be helpful CT Wedge biopsy Treatment […] The post S2 E053 Restrictive...

Knowing your key terms might not be enough?? The post S2 E052 CF & why key terms aren’t enough appeared first on Physician Assistant Exam Review .