A 44-year-old slightly overweight man comes to the office complaining of numbness of the skin on his arms, back, and buttocks; tremors in his hands; double vision; and cognitive problems, such as short-term memory loss. The patient reports no other medical problems and states he is “usually healthy as a horse.” During the interview, you learn the patient has been dieting for three months, and eats a lot of fish and salads. When questioned further, the patient states that he eats some type of fish daily, including salmon, tuna, and swordfish, and some freshwater fish such as mackerel. Based on this information, what is the most likely diagnosis?

The material on the PANCE and PANRE is organized by the NCCPA into two dimensions, as indicated in the content blueprint for the examination. - Organ systems and the diseases, disorders and medical assessments physician assistants encounter within those systems; and - The knowledge and skills physician assistants should exhibit when confronted with those diseases, disorders and assessments. Medical Content Categories % Allocation: Cardiovascular System 13% Dermatologic System 5% Endocrine System 7% Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat 7% Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition 9% Genitourinary... Show more

The material on the PANCE and PANRE is organized by the NCCPA into two dimensions, as indicated in the content blueprint for the examination.

- Organ systems and the diseases, disorders and medical assessments physician assistants encounter within those systems; and
- The knowledge and skills physician assistants should exhibit when confronted with those diseases, disorders and assessments.

Medical Content Categories % Allocation:

Cardiovascular System 13%
Dermatologic System 5%
Endocrine System 7%
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat 7%
Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition 9%
Genitourinary System (Male and Female) 5%
Hematologic System 5%
Infectious Diseases 6%
Musculoskeletal System 8%
Neurologic System 7%
Psychiatry/Behavioral Science 6%
Pulmonary System 10%
Renal System 5%
Reproductive System (Male and Female) 7%

 

The task categories tested and the weight each is given on the exam are as follows:

Task Categories % Allocation:

History Taking and Performing Physical
Examination 17%
Using Diagnostic and Laboratory Studies 12%
Formulating Most Likely Diagnosis 18%
Managing Patients 0%
Health Maintenance, Patient Education, and Preventive Measures 10%
Pharmaceutical Therapeutics 14%
Clinical Intervention 14%
Applying Basic Scientific Concepts 10%
Professional Practice 5%

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