Cardiovascular
16%
Pulmonary
12%
Cardiomyopathy
Dilated
Hypertrophic
Restrictive
Conduction Disorders
Atrial
fibrillation/flutter
Atrioventricular block
Bundle branch block
Paroxysmal
supraventricular
tachycardia
Premature beats
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular
fibrillation/flutter
Congenital Heart
Disease
Atrial septal defect
Coarctation of aorta
Patent ductus
arteriosus
Tetralogy of Fallot
Ventricular septal
defect
Infectious Disorders
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchiolitis
Acute epiglottitis
Croup
Influenza
Pertussis
Pneumonias
• Bacterial
• Viral
• Fungal
• HIV-related
Respiratory syncytial
virus infection
Tuberculosis
Congestive Heart Failure
Hypertension
Essential
Secondary
Malignant
Hypotension
Cardiogenic shock
Orthostasis/postural
Ischemic Heart Disease
Acute myocardial
infarction
Angina pectoris
• Stable
• Unstable
• Prinzmetal's/variant
Neoplastic Disease
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Carcinoid tumors
Metastatic tumors
Pulmonary nodules
Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Chronic bronchitis
Cystic fibrosis
Emphysema
Pleural Diseases
Pleural effusion
Pneumothorax
• Primary
• Secondary
• Traumatic
• Tension
Vascular Disease
Acute rheumatic fever
Aortic aneurysm/dissection
Arterial embolism/thrombosis
Chronic/acute arterial
occlusion
Giant cell arteritis
Peripheral vascular disease
Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis
Venous thrombosis
Varicose veins
Valvular Disease
Aortic stenosis/insufficiency
Mitral stenosis/insufficiency
Mitral valve prolapse
Tricuspid
stenosis/insufficiency
Pulmonary
stenosis/insufficiency
Other Forms of Heart Disease
Acute and subacute bacterial
endocarditis
Acute pericarditis
Cardiac tamponade
Pericardial effusion
Pulmonary Circulation
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary hypertension
Cor pulmonale
Restrictive Pulmonary
Disease
Idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis
Pneumoconiosis
Sarcoidosis
Other Pulmonary
Disease
Acute respiratory
distress syndrome
Hyaline membrane
disease
Foreign body aspiration
Endocrine
6%
EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose and
Throat)
9%
Gastrointestinal/Nutritional
10%
Diseases of the Thyroid
Gland
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Thyroiditis
Neoplastic disease
Diseases of the Adrenal
Glands
Cushing's syndrome
Corticoadrenal
insufficiency
Diseases of the Pituitary
Gland
Acromegaly/gigantism
Dwarfism
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1
Type 2
Hypoglycemia
Lipid Disorders
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertriglyceridemia
Eye Disorders
Blepharitis
Blowout fracture
Cataract
Chalazion
Conjunctivitis
Corneal abrasion
Dacryoadenitis
Ectropion
Entropion
Foreign body
Glaucoma
Hordeolum
Hyphema
Macular degeneration
Orbital cellulitis
Pterygium
Retinal detachment
Retinal vascular
occlusion
Retinopathy
• Diabetic
• Hypertensive
Strabismus
Ear Disorders
Acute/chronic otitis
media
Barotrauma
Cerumen impaction
Hearing impairment
Mastoiditis
Meniere's disease
Labyrinthitis
Otitis externa
Tympanic membrane
perforation
Vertigo
Nose/Sinus Disorders
Acute/chronic sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis
Epistaxis
Nasal polyps
Mouth/Throat Disorders
Acute pharyngitis
Acute tonsillitis
Aphthous ulcers
Dental abscess
Epiglottitis
Laryngitis
Oral candidiasis
Oral herpes simplex
Oral leukoplakia
Peritonsillar abscess
Parotitis
Sialadenitis
Esophagus
Esophagitis
Motor disorders
Mallory-Weiss tear
Neoplasms
Strictures
Varices
Stomach
Gastroesophageal reflux
Pancreas
Acute/chronic
pancreatitis
Neoplasms
Small Intestine/Colon
Appendicitis
Constipation
Diverticular disease
Inflammatory bowel
Hernia
Hiatal
Incisional
Inguinal
Umbilical
Ventral
Infectious Diarrhea
Nutritional Deficiencies
Niacin
Genitourinary
6%
Musculoskeletal
10%
disease
Gastritis
Neoplasms
Peptic ulcer disease
Pyloric stenosis
Gallbladder
Acute/chronic
cholecystitis
Cholelithiasis
Liver
Acute/chronic hepatitis
Cirrhosis
Neoplasms
disease
Intussusception
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ischemic bowel disease
Neoplasms
Obstruction
Toxic megacolon
Rectum
Anal fissure
Anorectal abscess/fistula
Fecal impaction
Hemorrhoids
Neoplasms
Pilonidal disease
Polyps
Thiamine
Vitamin A
Riboflavin
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Metabolic Disorders
Lactose intolerance
Phenylketonuria
Benign Conditions of the
GU Tract
Benign prostatic
hyperplasia
Cryptorchidism
Erectile dysfunction
Hydrocele/varicocele
Incontinence
Nephro/urolithiasis
Paraphimosis/phimosis
Testicular torsion
Infectious/Inflammatory
Conditions
Cystitis
Epididymitis
Orchitis
Prostatitis
Pyelonephritis
Urethritis
Neoplastic Diseases
Bladder carcinoma
Prostate carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma
Testicular carcinoma
Wilms' tumor
Renal Diseases
Acute/chronic renal
failure
Glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Polycystic kidney
disease
Electrolyte and
Acid/Base Disorders
Hypo/hypernatremia
Hypo/hyperkalemia
Hypo/hypercalcemia
Hypomagnesemia
Metabolic
alkalosis/acidosis
Respiratory
alkalosis/acidosis
Volume depletion
Volume excess
Disorders of the
Shoulder
Fractures/dislocations
Rotator cuff disorders
Separations
Sprain/strain
Disorders of the
Forearm/Wrist/Hand
Fractures/dislocations
Disorders of the
Back/Spine
Ankylosing spondylitis
Back strain/sprain
Cauda equina
Herniated nucleus
pulposis
Kyphosis/scoliosis
Low back pain
Infectious Diseases
Acute/chronic
osteomyelitis
Septic arthritis
Neoplastic Disease
Bone cysts/tumors
Ganglion cysts
Osteosarcoma
Osteoarthritis
• Boxer's
• Colles'
• Gamekeeper's thumb
• Humeral
• Nursemaid's elbow
• Scaphoid
Sprains/strains
Tenosynovitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• de Quervain's
tenosynovitis
• Elbow tendinitis
• Epicondylitis
Reproductive
8%
Neurologic System
6%
Spinal stenosis
Disorders of the Hip
Aseptic necrosis
Fractures/dislocations
Slipped capital femoral
epiphysis
Disorders of the Knee
Bursitis
Fractures/dislocations
Meniscal injuries
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Sprains/strains
Disorders of the
Ankle/Foot
Fractures/dislocations
Sprains/strains
Uterus
Dysfunctional uterine
bleeding
Endometrial cancer
Endometriosis/adenomyosis
Leiomyoma
Metritis
Prolapse
Ovary
Cysts
Neoplasms
Cervix
Carcinoma
Cervicitis
Dysplasia
Incompetent
Vagina/Vulva
Cystocele
Neoplasm
Prolapse
Rectocele
Vaginitis
Alzheimer's Disease
Cerebral Palsy
Diseases of
Peripheral Nerves
Menstrual Disorders
Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Premenstrual syndrome
Menopause
Breast
Abscess
Carcinoma
Fibroadenoma
Fibrocystic disease
Mastitis
Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease
Contraceptive Methods
Infertility
Uncomplicated
Pregnancy
Prenatal diagnosis/care
Normal labor/delivery
Infectious Disorders
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Movement Disorders
Osteoporosis
Rheumatologic
Conditions
Fibromyalgia
Gout/pseudogout
Juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis
Polyarteritis nodosa
Polymyositis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Reiter's syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus
erythematosus
Scleroderma Sjogren's
syndrome
Complicated Pregnancy
Abortion
Abruptio placentae
Dystocia
Ectopic pregnancy
Fetal distress
Gestational diabetes
Gestational
trophoblastic disease
Molar pregnancy
Multiple gestation
Placenta previa
Postpartum hemorrhage
Pregnancy-induced
hypertension
Premature rupture of
membranes
Rh incompatibility
Multiple Sclerosis
Seizure Disorders
Generalized
convulsive disorder
Psychiatry/Behavioral
6%
Hematologic
3%
Bell's palsy
Diabetic peripheral
neuropathy
Guillain-Barre
syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Headaches
Cluster headache
Migraine
Tension headache
Essential tremor
Huntington's disease
Parkinson's disease
Generalized
nonconvulsive
disorder
Status epilepticus
Vascular Diseases
Cerebral aneurysm
Stroke
Transient ischemic
attack
Anxiety Disorders
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety
disorder
Posttraumatic stress
disorder
Phobias
Attention-Deficit
Disorder
Autistic Disorder
Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Obesity
Mood Disorders
Adjustment
Depressive
Dysthymic
Bipolar
Personality
Disorders
Antisocial
Avoidant
Borderline
Histrionic
Narcissistic
Obsessive-compulsive
Paranoid
Schizoid
Schizotypal
Psychoses
Delusional disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective
disorder
Somatoform
Disorders
Substance Use
Disorders
Alcohol
abuse/dependence
Drug
abuse/dependence
Tobacco
use/dependence
Other
Behavior/Emotional
Disorders
Acute reaction to
stress
Child/elder abuse
Domestic violence
Uncomplicated
bereavement
Anemias
Aplastic anemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Iron deficiency
G6PD deficiency
Hemolytic anemia
Sickle cell anemia
Coagulation
Disorders
Factor VIII disorders
Factor IX disorders
Factor XI disorders
Thrombocytopenia
• Idiopathic
thrombocytopenic
Malignancies
Acute/chronic
lymphocytic leukemia
Acute/chronic
myelogenous
leukemia
Lymphoma
Multiple myeloma
Infectious Diseases
3%
Dermatologic
5%
Thalassemia
purpura
• Thrombotic
thrombocytopenic
purpura
• Von Willebrand's
disease
Fungal Disease
Candidiasis
Cryptococcosis
Histoplasmosis
Pneumocystis
Bacterial Disease
Botulism
Chlamydia
Cholera
Diphtheria
Gonococcal infections
Salmonellosis
Shigellosis
Tetanus
Mycobacterial
Disease
Tuberculosis
Atypical mycobacterial
disease
Parasitic Disease
Amebiasis
Hookworms
Malaria
Pinworms
Toxoplasmosis
Spirochetal Disease
Lyme borreliosis
• Lyme disease
Rocky Mountain
spotted fever
Syphilis
Viral Disease
Cytomegalovirus
infections
Epstein-Barr virus
infections
Erythema infectiosum
Herpes simplex
HIV infection
Human papillomavirus
infections
Influenza
Mumps
Rabies
Roseola
Rubella
Measles
Varicella-zoster virus
infections
Eczematous
Eruptions
Dermatitis
• Atopic
• Contact
• Diaper
• Nummular
eczematous
• Perioral
• Seborrheic
• Stasis
Dyshidrosis
Lichen simplex
chronicus
Papulosquamous
Diseases
Dermatophyte
infections
Vesicular Bullae
Bullous pemphigoid
Acneiform Lesions
Acne vulgaris
Rosacea
Folliculitis
Verrucous Lesions
Seborrheic keratosis
Actinic keratosis
Insects/Parasites
Lice
Scabies
Spider bites
Neoplasms
Basal cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Squamous cell
carcinoma
Viral Diseases
Condyloma
acuminatum
Exanthems
Herpes simplex
Molluscum
contagiosum
Verrucae
Varicella-zoster virus
infections
Bacterial Infections
Cellulitis/vasculitis
Erysipelas
Impetigo
Other
Acanthosis nigricans
Burns
Decubitus ulcers/leg
• Tinea versicolor
• Tinea corporis/pedis
Drug eruptions
Lichen planus
Pityriasis rosea
Psoriasis
Desquamation
Stevens-Johnson
syndrome
Toxic epidermal
necrolysis
Erythema multiforme
Hair and Nails
Alopecia areata
Androgenetic alopecia
Onycomycosis
Paronychia
ulcers
Hidradenitis
suppurativa
Lipomas/epithelial
inclusion cysts
Melasma
Urticaria
Vitiligo
In addition Pharmacology is 18% of questions on boards in relation to
treating diseases.
PANCE Test Breakdown
Passage of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is the first step in the post-graduate process
that requires the PA to continue with medical education and log a specific number of hours during each of three
consecutive two-year terms. The PA is required to log 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) during each
two-year period. The six- year period ends with the PA passing a recertification test called the Physician Assistant
National Recertification Exam (PANRE).
The PANCE is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants upon graduation from
an accredited medical facility. There are 200 test sites available throughout the United States. The examination consists of
360 multiple-choice questions on medical and surgical subjects. Passing the PANCE allows the physician assistant to use
the certification title PA-C (Physician Assistant – Certified), but the PA must also be licensed by the state in which the
practice is maintained.
The NCCPA maintains a list of accredited institutions on its website. The various state licensing agencies are also listed
with contact information for the various medical licensing boards.
The PA candidate should register for the PANCE before graduating from an accredited physician assistant college.
However, the examination cannot be taken until all requirements for graduation are met. Registration can be conducted
online, over the telephone, or by mail contact with the NCCPA.
The PANCE covers broad areas of the medical and surgical fields, so it is important to assemble a wide-ranging library of
medical texts during the study process. It is highly unlikely that the PA candidate’s college courses covered every single
topic on the PANCE, so it is important to study with some comprehensive works on physiology, anatomy, medical
pathology, and pharmacology. The PANCE is an exhaustive test; candidates should be prepared for a grueling six-hour
marathon. The 360 questions are broken down into blocks of sixty questions. The successful candidate will set a pace that
allows for maximum coverage, with no more than a minute for each question. It is best to answer all questions on the
PANCE, since correct answers count toward the total score. While there is adequate time to respond to all questions, there
is no time to squander. There are short breaks between the sixty-minute blocks allotted for each section of the PANCE,
amounting to no more than 45 minutes in total break time.
PANCE Questions
Q. How do I become eligible to take PANCE?
A. Graduate from a PA program accredited by ARC-PA or one of its predecessors. Today, there's no other way to gain
PANCE eligibility.
Q. What happens if I don't pass my exam?
A. You can take PANCE once in a 90-day period or three times a year, whichever is fewer - this applies to all applicants.
Individuals who have never been certified and who graduated from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program on
or after January 1, 2003, will be eligible to take PANCE for up to six years after completing the requirements for
graduation from that program. During that six-year period, the examination may be taken a maximum of six times. When
either the six attempts or six years is exhausted, whichever occurs sooner, the individual loses eligibility to take PANCE.
The only way to establish new eligibility to take PANCE is to enter into and complete an unabridged ARC-PA accredited
physician assistant educational program.
Q. How do I set up my exam time?
A. After your application is processed, you'll receive an exam acknowledgement from NCCPA within 3-5 business days
with instructions on how to schedule your exam.
Q. Are generic or brand names of drugs used on the exam?
A. The generic name of a drug is always provided. The trade name is provided in parenthesis after the generic name of the
drug only if it is deemed necessary by NCCPA.