An 18-year-old male is brought into the office by his mother. She states she is concerned, because for the last few months he has exhibited “strange” behavior, which seems to be worsening. Although she states he has always been a bit “different”— occasionally talking gibberish to himself and wearing outlandish clothes—she said the unusual behaviors are becoming worse. He is seeing things such as bats flying in the house. He seems to think the programs on TV are real, and he talks about the characters as if he knows them. He becomes withdrawn at times, but can also become agitated for no apparent reason, shouting obscenities and throwing things. The patient sometimes refuses to bathe or brush his teeth. What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

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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