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Showing posts with the label clinical knowledge

Pediatrics Exam Review: Examination, Development & Common Pediatric Disorders for Physician Assistants

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Pediatrics Exam Review: Examination, Development & Common Pediatric Disorders for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this focused review of pediatric examination, development, and common pediatric disorders from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary highlights key assessment techniques, developmental milestones, newborn care, metabolic and chromosomal disorders, immunization guidelines, and adolescent health. Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more pediatric exam prep and clinical insights. Examination of the Newborn Apgar Score: Evaluates newborn status at 1, 5, and 10 minutes on heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. New Ballard Score: Assesses neuromuscular and physical maturity including skin, lanugo, planta...

Dermatology Exam Review: Diagnosis & Common Skin Disorders for Physician Assistants

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Dermatology Exam Review: Diagnosis & Common Skin Disorders for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this detailed review of dermatologic disorders from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary highlights key diagnostic techniques, clinical features, and management strategies for common skin diseases including eczematous, papulosquamous, vesiculobullous, papulopustular disorders, infections, tumors, ulcers, burns, hair, and nail conditions. Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more clinical insights and PA exam preparation. Diagnostic Approach in Dermatology History & Physical Exam: Consider medical history, medications, psychosocial, and environmental exposures. Use MAD criteria (Morphology, Arrangement, Distribution) to describe lesions. Special Signs:...

Psychiatric Disorders Exam Review: Diagnosis & Treatment for Physician Assistants

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Psychiatric Disorders Exam Review: Diagnosis & Treatment for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this focused review of psychiatric disorders from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary covers the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, and treatment strategies for mood, anxiety, psychotic, somatic, personality, trauma-related, eating, substance-related, and childhood psychiatric conditions. Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more clinical reviews and PA exam prep. Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders DSM-5 Criteria: Psychiatric diagnoses require criteria from the DSM-5, focusing on functional impairment not due to other medical or substance causes. Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenia Spectrum: Includes brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disor...

Gynecology Exam Review: Menstrual & Related Disorders for Physician Assistants

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Gynecology Exam Review: Menstrual & Related Disorders for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this concise review of menstrual and gynecologic disorders from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary covers diagnostic pearls, management strategies, and high-yield clinical concepts for menstrual irregularities, uterine and ovarian conditions, cervical pathology, breast disorders, and contraception. Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for in-depth clinical review and medical exam prep. Menstrual Disorders Amenorrhea: Primary (no menses by age 15) or secondary (loss of menses after onset). Diagnose with hCG, hormone studies, and imaging. Management depends on cause (e.g., hormone therapy, lifestyle changes). Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation. Primary (due to pr...

Rheumatology & Orthopedics Exam Review: Musculoskeletal Conditions for Physician Assistants

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Rheumatology & Orthopedics Exam Review: Musculoskeletal Conditions for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this focused review of musculoskeletal, rheumatologic, and orthopedic conditions from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary covers key concepts, diagnoses, and management strategies for common arthritic diseases, bone disorders, fractures, and regional musculoskeletal syndromes. Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for in-depth clinical review and medical exam prep. Arthritis & Rheumatologic Conditions Osteoarthritis (OA): Degenerative disease of weight-bearing joints, presenting with pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Managed with lifestyle changes, NSAIDs, steroid injections, and surgery. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Autoimmune disorder...

Neurology Exam Review: Diagnosis of Neurologic Disorders for Physician Assistants

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Neurology Exam Review: Diagnosis of Neurologic Disorders for Physician Assistants Get ready for your physician assistant certification exam with this high-yield neurology review, based on A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This guide covers essential neurologic disorders, clinical presentations, diagnostic strategies, and treatment approaches to ensure exam success and strong clinical skills. Watch the complete podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more medical exam prep and clinical review content. Neurologic Examination & Diagnostics History & Physical: Evaluate mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory function, reflexes, and cerebellar signs. Special Diagnostics: Brain and spinal imaging (CT, MRI), EMG, nerve conduction studies, lumbar puncture (LP). Cerebrovascular Disorders Stroke (CVA): Ische...

Endocrinology Exam Review: Parathyroid, Thyroid, Pituitary, Adrenal, Diabetes & Lipids for Physician Assistants

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Endocrinology Exam Review: Parathyroid, Thyroid, Pituitary, Adrenal, Diabetes & Lipids for Physician Assistants Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this comprehensive endocrinology review based on A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary covers key endocrine disorders—parathyroid, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, diabetes, and lipid metabolism—ensuring you master high-yield concepts and clinical management for exam success and patient care. Watch the full podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more exam prep guides and clinical reviews. Parathyroid Disorders Hyperparathyroidism: Caused by adenomas, hyperplasia, or carcinoma. Leads to hypercalcemia, bone pain, renal stones, and psychiatric symptoms. Treated with hydration, bisphosphonates, or surgery. Hypoparathyroidism: Results in hypocalcemi...

Obstetrics Exam Review: Prenatal Care, Pregnancy Complications & Labor for Physician Assistants

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Obstetrics Exam Review: Prenatal Care, Pregnancy Complications & Labor for Physician Assistants Sharpen your obstetric clinical knowledge with this podcast-style summary from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This review covers everything from prenatal care to high-risk pregnancy, labor, and postpartum complications—an essential resource for physician assistants preparing for certification exams and clinical success. Watch the summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more high-yield exam prep and medical study guides. Routine Prenatal Care Initial Prenatal Visit: Review of obstetric history, subjective symptoms (amenorrhea, nausea), and objective signs (Chadwick sign, uterine growth). Estimate due date using Nägele's Rule. Subsequent Visits: Monitor weight, blood pressure, fetal movement, fundal height, and heart tones. Addr...