Cardiovascular System
11%of exam
Pulmonary System
9%of exam
Gastrointestinal Nutrition
8%of exam
Musculoskeletal System
8%of exam
Infectious Diseases
7%of exam
Neurologic System
7%of exam
Psychiatry Behavioral Science
7%of exam
Reproductive System
7%of exam
Endocrine System
6%of exam
Eyes Ears Nose Throat
6%of exam
Professional Practice
6%of exam
Hematologic System
5%of exam
Renal System
5%of exam
Dermatologic System
4%of exam
Genitourinary System
4%of exam
Quick Facts
- Exam
- PANCE
- Owner
- NCCPA
- Questions
- 300 multiple-choice
- Blocks
- 5 x 60
- Block time
- 60 minutes
- Exam time
- 5 hours
- Appointment
- About 6 hours
- Pass
- 350 scaled
- Scale
- 200 to 800
- Fee
- $550
- Attempts
- Six tries, six years
- First-time pass
- 92% (2024)
Top Blueprint Weights
Cardio 11, pulmonary 9, GI 8.
STEMI vs NSTEMI
STEMI
- ST elevation
- Immediate PCI
- Do not delay
NSTEMI
- Troponin rise only
- Risk stratify
- Early invasive
ECG sets urgency
Chest Pain Picker
- ST elevation→Cath lab(STEMI)
- Tearing pain to back→CT angiography(Dissection)
- Pleuritic with hypoxia→CT angiography(Embolism)
- Better sitting forward→NSAID plus colchicine(Pericarditis)
- Exertional, eased by rest→Stress testing(Stable angina)
- Burning after meals→PPI trial(GERD)
- Reproducible on palpation→NSAIDs(Costochondritis)
Cardiovascular Classics
- STEMI
- Immediate PCI
- NSTEMI
- Antiplatelets, then early cath
- Stable angina
- Beta blocker, nitrate PRN
- HFrEF
- ARNI, beta, MRA, SGLT2
- Acute heart failure
- IV loop diuretic
- Atrial fibrillation
- Rate control plus anticoagulation
- Aortic dissection
- CT angiography, esmolol first
- Pericarditis
- NSAID plus colchicine
- Hypertension
- Thiazide, CCB, ACE, ARB
- Cardiac tamponade
- Beck triad, pericardiocentesis
- Kawasaki disease
- IVIG plus aspirin
- Peripheral artery disease
- ABI under 0.9
Murmurs
- Aortic stenosis
- Systolic RUSB, carotid radiation
- Aortic regurgitation
- Diastolic decrescendo, wide pulse pressure
- Mitral regurgitation
- Holosystolic apex, axillary radiation
- Mitral stenosis
- Opening snap, diastolic rumble
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Mid-systolic click, louder standing
- HOCM
- Louder with Valsalva, standing
- VSD
- Harsh holosystolic, lower sternal
- ASD
- Fixed split S2
- PDA
- Continuous machinery murmur
- Tricuspid regurgitation
- Louder with inspiration
- Valsalva
- Softens all but HOCM, MVP
- Handgrip
- Louder regurgitant murmurs
ECG Findings
- ST elevation
- STEMI, activate cath lab
- Diffuse ST elevation
- Pericarditis, PR depression
- Delta wave
- Wolff-Parkinson-White
- Sawtooth waves
- Atrial flutter
- Irregularly irregular
- Atrial fibrillation, absent P
- Peaked T waves
- Hyperkalemia
- Long QT
- Torsades risk
- Electrical alternans
- Effusion, tamponade
- Lengthening PR
- Mobitz I, Wenckebach
- Dropped QRS
- Mobitz II, needs pacing
- AV dissociation
- Third-degree block
- S1Q3T3
- Classic but uncommon PE
Asthma vs COPD
Asthma
- Reversible obstruction
- ICS-formoterol base
- Younger onset
COPD
- Fixed obstruction
- LAMA plus LABA
- Smoking history
Reversibility separates them
Dyspnea Picker
- Wheeze, reversible obstruction→Spirometry(Asthma)
- Smoker, fixed obstruction→LAMA plus LABA(COPD)
- Orthopnea with edema→BNP and echo(Heart failure)
- Sudden pleuritic dyspnea→CT angiography(Embolism)
- Absent sounds, hypotension→Needle decompression(Tension)
- Fever with consolidation→Chest x-ray(Pneumonia)
Pulmonary Classics
- Asthma
- ICS-formoterol controller, reliever
- Stable COPD
- LAMA plus LABA
- COPD exacerbation
- SABA, steroids, antibiotics
- Outpatient pneumonia
- Amoxicillin or doxycycline
- Pulmonary embolism
- CT angiography, then anticoagulate
- Tension pneumothorax
- Needle decompression now
- Obstructive PFT
- FEV1/FVC under 0.7
- Sleep apnea
- Polysomnography, then CPAP
- Active tuberculosis
- RIPE four-drug therapy
- Sarcoidosis
- Bilateral hilar adenopathy
- Bronchiolitis
- RSV infant, supportive care
- Croup
- Steeple sign, dexamethasone
Croup vs Epiglottitis
Croup
- Barking cough
- Steeple sign
- Dexamethasone
Epiglottitis
- Drooling, tripod
- Thumbprint sign
- Secure airway
Drooling means airway
Crohn vs Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn
- Skip lesions
- Transmural, fistulas
- Mouth to anus
Ulcerative colitis
- Continuous involvement
- Mucosal only
- Starts at rectum
Skip versus continuous
Abdominal Pain Picker
- Any reproductive-age female→hCG first(Always)
- RLQ with rebound→CT abdomen(Appendicitis)
- RUQ after fatty meal→Ultrasound(Biliary)
- Epigastric radiating to back→Lipase(Pancreatitis)
- LLQ fever, older adult→CT abdomen(Diverticulitis)
- Colicky flank, hematuria→Noncontrast CT(Stone)
- Pain out of proportion→CT angiography(Mesenteric ischemia)
GI Classics
- GERD
- PPI trial, no alarms
- Peptic ulcer
- Test, treat H pylori
- H pylori
- Bismuth quadruple therapy
- Acute pancreatitis
- Lipase, lactated Ringer fluids
- Cholecystitis
- Ultrasound first, then cholecystectomy
- Choledocholithiasis
- ERCP
- Appendicitis
- CT, then appendectomy
- Diverticulitis
- CT, bowel rest
- C difficile
- Fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin
- Celiac disease
- tTG-IgA, gluten-free diet
- Upper GI bleed
- IV PPI, urgent EGD
- Mesenteric ischemia
- Pain out of proportion
Liver and Ascites
- HBsAg positive
- Active hepatitis B
- Anti-HBs positive
- Immune, vaccinated or recovered
- Hepatitis C
- Direct-acting antivirals cure
- SAAG 1.1 or higher
- Portal hypertension
- SBP
- PMN 250, give ceftriaxone
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Lactulose, add rifaximin
- Bleeding varices
- Octreotide, banding, ceftriaxone
- Wernicke
- Thiamine before glucose
Gout vs Pseudogout
Gout
- Needle crystals
- Negative birefringence
- First toe
Pseudogout
- Rhomboid crystals
- Positive birefringence
- Knee, wrist
Shape and birefringence
MSK Classics
- Gout
- Negatively birefringent needles
- Pseudogout
- Positively birefringent rhomboids
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Symmetric small joints, methotrexate
- Osteoarthritis
- Asymmetric, brief morning stiffness
- Septic arthritis
- Aspirate, synovial WBC 50,000
- Compartment syndrome
- Pain on passive stretch
- Scaphoid fracture
- Snuffbox pain, thumb spica
- Cauda equina
- Urgent MRI, then decompression
- Osteoporosis
- T-score -2.5, bisphosphonate
- SCFE
- Obese adolescent, hip pain
- Nursemaid elbow
- Radial head subluxation
- Osteomyelitis
- MRI, bone biopsy culture
Ortho Special Tests
- Lachman
- ACL tear
- Anterior drawer
- ACL tear
- McMurray
- Meniscal tear
- Empty can
- Supraspinatus injury
- Neer, Hawkins
- Shoulder impingement
- Drop arm
- Rotator cuff tear
- Finkelstein
- De Quervain tenosynovitis
- Phalen, Tinel
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Straight leg raise
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Thompson
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Trendelenburg
- Gluteus medius weakness
- Ottawa rules
- Decide ankle, knee imaging
Antibiotic First-Line
- Strep pharyngitis
- Penicillin or amoxicillin
- Nonpurulent cellulitis
- Cephalexin
- Skin abscess
- Drain, then TMP-SMX
- Acute otitis media
- High-dose amoxicillin
- Bacterial sinusitis
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Uncomplicated cystitis
- Nitrofurantoin or TMP-SMX
- Pyelonephritis
- Ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin
- Pneumonia with comorbidity
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate plus macrolide
- Bacterial meningitis
- Vancomycin plus ceftriaxone
- Lyme disease
- Doxycycline
- Rocky Mountain fever
- Doxycycline, any age
- Impetigo
- Topical mupirocin
STI Treatment
- Gonorrhea
- Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM
- Chlamydia
- Doxycycline, seven days
- Syphilis
- Benzathine penicillin G
- PID
- Ceftriaxone, doxycycline, metronidazole
- Trichomonas
- Metronidazole
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Metronidazole, clue cells
- Genital herpes
- Acyclovir or valacyclovir
- HIV
- Start ART for everyone
Infection Classics
- Sepsis
- Cultures, antibiotics, fluids fast
- Influenza
- Oseltamivir within 48 hours
- Mononucleosis
- EBV, avoid contact sports
- Latent TB
- IGRA positive, clear x-ray
- Endocarditis
- Duke criteria, three cultures
- PrEP
- Tenofovir-emtricitabine daily
- Shingles
- Antivirals within 72 hours
- Candidiasis
- Fluconazole or topical azole
- Malaria
- Thick and thin smears
- Tetanus booster
- Every ten years
Stroke FAST
Face, arm, speech, time to act.
UMN vs LMN Lesions
Upper motor
- Hyperreflexia
- Spasticity
- Babinski present
Lower motor
- Hyporeflexia
- Flaccid atrophy
- Fasciculations
Tone and reflexes decide
Headache Picker
- Thunderclap, worst ever→Noncontrast CT(Then LP)
- Fever with neck stiffness→LP plus antibiotics(Meningitis)
- Over 50, jaw claudication→ESR and steroids(Arteritis)
- Unilateral with photophobia→Triptan(Migraine)
- Orbital, tearing, clustered→High-flow oxygen(Cluster)
- Papilledema or focal deficit→Neuroimaging(Mass lesion)
Neuro Classics
- Ischemic stroke
- Thrombolysis within 4.5 hours
- Thrombectomy window
- Selected patients, 24 hours
- TIA
- Deficit resolves, no infarct
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Thunderclap, CT then LP
- Bacterial meningitis
- Do not delay antibiotics
- Status epilepticus
- IV lorazepam first
- Migraine
- Triptan or NSAID
- Cluster headache
- High-flow oxygen, sumatriptan
- Giant cell arteritis
- Steroids now, biopsy after
- Multiple sclerosis
- MRI plaques, oligoclonal bands
- Guillain-Barre
- Ascending weakness, IVIG
- Myasthenia gravis
- Fatigable ptosis, pyridostigmine
- Parkinson disease
- Resting tremor, carbidopa-levodopa
- Bell palsy
- Forehead involved, prednisone
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Carbamazepine
Depression SIG E CAPS
Sleep, interest, guilt, energy, concentration.
Delirium vs Dementia
Delirium
- Acute onset
- Attention impaired
- Fluctuates, reversible
Dementia
- Gradual months
- Memory impaired
- Progressive course
Attention versus memory
Psych Classics
- Major depression
- Two weeks, SSRI, therapy
- Bipolar I
- Mania seven days, lithium
- Schizophrenia
- Six months, antipsychotic
- Schizophreniform
- One to six months
- Brief psychotic
- Under one month
- Generalized anxiety
- Six months worry, SSRI
- Panic disorder
- SSRI plus CBT
- PTSD
- Over one month, SSRI
- Anorexia
- Refeeding drops phosphate
- Bulimia
- Fluoxetine, avoid bupropion
- ADHD
- Stimulants first-line
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Benzodiazepines, watch seizures
- Opioid overdose
- Naloxone, pinpoint pupils
- Lithium toxicity
- Tremor, ataxia, confusion
Serotonin Syndrome vs NMS
Serotonin syndrome
- Onset within hours
- Clonus, hyperreflexia
- Cyproheptadine
NMS
- Onset over days
- Lead-pipe rigidity
- Dantrolene
Clonus versus rigidity
Previa vs Abruption
Previa
- Painless bleeding
- No digital exam
- Ultrasound diagnoses
Abruption
- Painful bleeding
- Rigid uterus
- Clinical diagnosis
Pain marks abruption
Pregnancy Classics
- Ectopic pregnancy
- hCG, ultrasound, methotrexate
- Preeclampsia
- 140/90 after 20 weeks
- Eclampsia
- Magnesium sulfate, then delivery
- Gestational diabetes
- Screen 24-28 weeks
- Placenta previa
- Painless bleeding, no exam
- Placental abruption
- Painful bleeding, rigid uterus
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Atony, oxytocin, massage
- Rh negative mother
- RhoGAM at 28 weeks
- Group B strep
- Screen 36-37 weeks
- Tdap
- Every pregnancy, 27-36 weeks
GYN Classics
- PCOS
- OCP; letrozole for fertility
- Endometriosis
- Cyclic pain, laparoscopy diagnoses
- Leiomyoma
- Heavy menses, ultrasound
- Menopause
- Twelve months amenorrhea
- Abnormal bleeding
- Pregnancy test first
- Mastitis
- Keep feeding, dicloxacillin
- Emergency contraception
- Levonorgestrel or copper IUD
- Breast mass
- Ultrasound young, mammogram older
DKA vs HHS
DKA
- Ketones, acidosis
- Type 1 typical
- Anion gap
HHS
- Glucose over 600
- Minimal ketones
- High osmolality
Acidosis versus osmolality
Endocrine Classics
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metformin first for most
- Diabetes with ASCVD
- Add SGLT2 or GLP-1
- Diagnostic A1c
- 6.5% or higher
- DKA
- Fluids, insulin, replace potassium
- Hypothyroidism
- High TSH, levothyroxine
- Graves disease
- Low TSH, methimazole
- Thyroid storm
- PTU, beta blocker, steroids
- Thyroid nodule
- TSH, ultrasound, then FNA
- Cushing syndrome
- Dexamethasone suppression testing
- Addison disease
- Low sodium, high potassium
- Pheochromocytoma
- Plasma metanephrines, alpha first
- Acromegaly
- IGF-1 screening
- SIADH
- Euvolemic hyponatremia, restrict fluids
- Hyperparathyroidism
- High calcium, high PTH
Hyper vs Hypothyroid
Hyperthyroid
- Low TSH
- Weight loss, tremor
- Methimazole
Hypothyroid
- High TSH
- Fatigue, cold intolerance
- Levothyroxine
TSH moves opposite
Centor Criteria
Fever, exudate, nodes, no cough.
Red Eye Picker
- Purulent discharge, no pain→Topical antibiotic(Bacterial)
- Watery, highly contagious→Supportive care(Viral)
- Itching, both eyes→Antihistamine drops(Allergic)
- Fixed mid-dilated pupil→Emergency referral(Angle closure)
- Contact lens, ulcer→Urgent ophthalmology(Keratitis)
- Pain on eye movement→CT, IV antibiotics(Orbital cellulitis)
EENT Classics
- Acute otitis media
- Bulging drum, amoxicillin
- Otitis externa
- Tragal pain, topical drops
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Fixed mid-dilated pupil, emergency
- Open-angle glaucoma
- Cupping, latanoprost first
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Purulent, topical antibiotic
- Retinal detachment
- Flashes, floaters, curtain
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Painless loss, cherry-red spot
- Orbital cellulitis
- Painful movement, IV antibiotics
- Epistaxis
- Kiesselbach plexus, anterior pressure
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Uvula deviation, muffled voice
- Meniere disease
- Vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus
- BPPV
- Dix-Hallpike, then Epley
Professional Practice
- Informed consent
- Risks, benefits, alternatives
- Capacity
- Decision-specific, clinician assesses
- HIPAA
- Minimum necessary disclosure
- Emancipated minor
- Consents without parent
- Mandatory reporting
- Abuse, notifiable infections
- Error disclosure
- Tell the patient promptly
- Sensitivity
- High value rules out
- Specificity
- High value rules in
- Positive predictive value
- Rises with prevalence
- NNT
- 1 divided by ARR
- Type I error
- False positive, alpha
- Randomized trial
- Strongest single study design
Screening Ages
- Colorectal cancer
- Start age 45
- Mammography
- Biennial, ages 40-74
- Cervical cytology
- Start age 21
- HPV co-testing
- Every five years, 30-65
- Lung CT
- Ages 50-80, 20 pack-years
- AAA ultrasound
- Men 65-75 who smoked
- Hepatitis C
- All adults once
- HIV
- Ages 15-65 once
- Osteoporosis DEXA
- Women 65 and older
- Prostate PSA
- Shared decision, 55-69
- Diabetes screening
- Ages 35-70 if overweight
- Zoster vaccine
- Two doses, age 50
Exam Logistics
- Format
- Five blocks, 60 questions
- Block time
- 60 minutes per block
- Break time
- 45 minutes total
- Tutorial
- 15 minutes before start
- Score scale
- 200 to 800
- Passing standard
- 350 or higher
- Eligibility window
- 180 days to schedule
- Attempt limit
- Six tries, six years
- Exam fee
- $550 with application
- Test centers
- Pearson VUE, 300+ sites
Warfarin vs Heparin
Warfarin
- Follow INR
- Vitamin K reverses
- Slow onset
Heparin
- Follow PTT
- Protamine reverses
- Immediate onset
INR versus PTT
Anemia Picker
- MCV under 80→Iron studies(Microcytic)
- Low ferritin→Iron deficiency(Find bleeding)
- Normal ferritin, high RBC→Hemoglobin electrophoresis(Thalassemia)
- MCV over 100→B12 and folate(Macrocytic)
- Macrocytic with neuropathy→B12 replacement(Check MMA)
- Normocytic, low reticulocytes→Marrow workup(Underproduction)
Heme Classics
- Iron deficiency
- Microcytic, low ferritin
- Thalassemia
- Microcytic, normal ferritin
- B12 deficiency
- Macrocytic with neuropathy
- Folate deficiency
- Macrocytic, no neuropathy
- Chronic disease anemia
- Normocytic, low iron binding
- G6PD deficiency
- Bite cells, Heinz bodies
- Sickle cell
- Hydroxyurea reduces crises
- ITP
- Isolated low platelets
- TTP
- Schistocytes, plasma exchange
- DIC
- Low fibrinogen, high D-dimer
- Hemophilia A
- Long PTT, factor VIII
- von Willebrand
- Most common inherited bleeding
- HIT
- Platelets fall day 5-10
- CLL
- Smudge cells, older adults
- CML
- Philadelphia chromosome, imatinib
- AML
- Auer rods
Dialysis AEIOU
Acidosis, electrolytes, ingestion, overload, uremia.
Nephrotic vs Nephritic
Nephrotic
- Heavy proteinuria
- Edema, low albumin
- Hyperlipidemia
Nephritic
- Hematuria, RBC casts
- Hypertension
- Oliguria
Protein versus blood
Renal and Electrolytes
- Prerenal AKI
- BUN:Cr above 20
- Acute tubular necrosis
- Muddy brown casts
- Postrenal AKI
- Hydronephrosis on ultrasound
- FeNa under 1%
- Prerenal pattern
- Hyperkalemia
- Calcium gluconate stabilizes first
- Hyponatremia
- Correct under 8 daily
- Hypercalcemia
- Saline, then bisphosphonate
- Hypokalemia
- Check magnesium too
- Nephrolithiasis
- Noncontrast CT, 5 mm
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Over 3.5 grams proteinuria
- Nephritic syndrome
- RBC casts, hypertension
- CKD staging
- Based on eGFR
Anion Gap MUDPILES
Methanol, uremia, ketoacidosis, isoniazid, lactate, salicylates.
Melanoma ABCDE
Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving.
Cellulitis vs Abscess
Cellulitis
- Diffuse erythema
- No fluctuance
- Cephalexin
Abscess
- Fluctuant pocket
- Drain first
- Cover MRSA
Fluid needs drainage
Derm Classics
- Melanoma
- Excisional biopsy, full thickness
- Basal cell
- Pearly, telangiectatic papule
- Squamous cell
- Scaly, ulcerated, sun-exposed
- Actinic keratosis
- Precursor to squamous cell
- Psoriasis
- Silvery plaques, extensor surfaces
- Atopic dermatitis
- Flexural, topical steroids
- Tinea
- KOH shows hyphae
- Scabies
- Burrows, treat with permethrin
- Impetigo
- Honey-colored crusts
- Pityriasis rosea
- Herald patch, Christmas tree
- SJS and TEN
- Stop drug, BSA grades
- Acne
- Retinoid; isotretinoin if severe
- Erythema migrans
- Target rash, doxycycline
Torsion vs Epididymitis
Torsion
- Sudden severe pain
- Absent cremasteric
- Surgery now
Epididymitis
- Gradual onset
- Relief with elevation
- Antibiotics
Sudden pain means surgery
GU Classics
- Cystitis
- Dysuria, frequency, nitrofurantoin
- Pyelonephritis
- Fever, flank tenderness
- Kidney stone
- Colicky flank, hematuria
- BPH
- Alpha blocker first
- Prostate cancer
- PSA, Gleason grading
- Testicular torsion
- Absent cremasteric, operate fast
- Epididymitis
- Relief with elevation
- Testicular cancer
- Painless mass, ultrasound first
- Erectile dysfunction
- PDE5, never with nitrates
- Varicocele
- Bag of worms
- Hydrocele
- Transilluminates, painless
- Stress incontinence
- Leaks with cough
- Urge incontinence
- Sudden urgency, antimuscarinics
Common Traps
Chlamydia therapy
Doxycycline seven days ≠ Single-dose azithromycin
Hyperkalemia sequence
Calcium stabilizes first ≠ Insulin given first
Abscess management
Drainage comes first ≠ Antibiotics alone
H pylori regimen
Bismuth quadruple therapy ≠ Clarithromycin triple therapy
C difficile therapy
Fidaxomicin or vancomycin ≠ Metronidazole first
Guillain-Barre treatment
IVIG or plasmapheresis ≠ Corticosteroids
Facial weakness
Forehead involved is Bell ≠ Forehead spared is stroke
Mononucleosis
EBV, withhold amoxicillin ≠ Strep, give amoxicillin
Pheochromocytoma blockade
Alpha blockade first ≠ Beta blockade first
PDE5 and nitrates
Absolute contraindication ≠ Cautious co-prescribing
Pregnancy testing
hCG before imaging ≠ Imaging, then hCG
Small content areas
Derm and GU tested ≠ Safe to skip
Last Minute
- 1.Fifteen content areas total
- 2.Cardio 11%, pulmonary 9%, GI 8%
- 3.300 questions, five 60-question blocks
- 4.60 minutes per block
- 5.Passing scaled score = 350
- 6.Scale runs 200 to 800
- 7.Peds is 12-15% of questions
- 8.Surgical topics are 8-10%
- 9.Unstable patient: treat before testing
- 10.Reproductive age: check hCG first
- 11.Hyperkalemia: calcium gluconate first
- 12.Drain abscess before antibiotics
- 13.Chlamydia = doxycycline seven days
- 14.Stroke: thrombolysis within 4.5 hours
- 15.Metformin first for type 2
- 16.Answer every question
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