Cheat sheet

PANCE Cheat Sheet

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

GU ClassicsTorsion vs EpididymitisScrotal massUTI choices

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.

Cardiovascular 11%Pulmonary 9%GI nutrition 8%Musculoskeletal 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

  1. ST elevationCath lab(STEMI)
  2. Tearing pain to backCT angiography(Dissection)
  3. Pleuritic with hypoxiaCT angiography(Embolism)
  4. Better sitting forwardNSAID plus colchicine(Pericarditis)
  5. Exertional, eased by restStress testing(Stable angina)
  6. Burning after mealsPPI trial(GERD)
  7. Reproducible on palpationNSAIDs(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

  1. Wheeze, reversible obstructionSpirometry(Asthma)
  2. Smoker, fixed obstructionLAMA plus LABA(COPD)
  3. Orthopnea with edemaBNP and echo(Heart failure)
  4. Sudden pleuritic dyspneaCT angiography(Embolism)
  5. Absent sounds, hypotensionNeedle decompression(Tension)
  6. Fever with consolidationChest 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

  1. Any reproductive-age femalehCG first(Always)
  2. RLQ with reboundCT abdomen(Appendicitis)
  3. RUQ after fatty mealUltrasound(Biliary)
  4. Epigastric radiating to backLipase(Pancreatitis)
  5. LLQ fever, older adultCT abdomen(Diverticulitis)
  6. Colicky flank, hematuriaNoncontrast CT(Stone)
  7. Pain out of proportionCT 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.

Face droopArm driftSpeech slurredTime critical

UMN vs LMN Lesions

Upper motor

  • Hyperreflexia
  • Spasticity
  • Babinski present

Lower motor

  • Hyporeflexia
  • Flaccid atrophy
  • Fasciculations

Tone and reflexes decide

Headache Picker

  1. Thunderclap, worst everNoncontrast CT(Then LP)
  2. Fever with neck stiffnessLP plus antibiotics(Meningitis)
  3. Over 50, jaw claudicationESR and steroids(Arteritis)
  4. Unilateral with photophobiaTriptan(Migraine)
  5. Orbital, tearing, clusteredHigh-flow oxygen(Cluster)
  6. Papilledema or focal deficitNeuroimaging(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.

Sleep changeInterest lostGuiltEnergy lowConcentration poorAppetite changePsychomotor changeSuicidal thoughts

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.

Fever over 38Tonsillar exudateTender anterior nodesCough absent

Red Eye Picker

  1. Purulent discharge, no painTopical antibiotic(Bacterial)
  2. Watery, highly contagiousSupportive care(Viral)
  3. Itching, both eyesAntihistamine drops(Allergic)
  4. Fixed mid-dilated pupilEmergency referral(Angle closure)
  5. Contact lens, ulcerUrgent ophthalmology(Keratitis)
  6. Pain on eye movementCT, 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

  1. MCV under 80Iron studies(Microcytic)
  2. Low ferritinIron deficiency(Find bleeding)
  3. Normal ferritin, high RBCHemoglobin electrophoresis(Thalassemia)
  4. MCV over 100B12 and folate(Macrocytic)
  5. Macrocytic with neuropathyB12 replacement(Check MMA)
  6. Normocytic, low reticulocytesMarrow 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.

AcidosisElectrolytesIngestionOverloadUremia

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.

MethanolUremiaDiabetic ketoacidosisPropylene glycolIsoniazidLactic acidosisEthylene glycolSalicylates

Melanoma ABCDE

Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving.

AsymmetryIrregular borderVaried colorDiameter over 6mmEvolving lesion

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. 1.Fifteen content areas total
  2. 2.Cardio 11%, pulmonary 9%, GI 8%
  3. 3.300 questions, five 60-question blocks
  4. 4.60 minutes per block
  5. 5.Passing scaled score = 350
  6. 6.Scale runs 200 to 800
  7. 7.Peds is 12-15% of questions
  8. 8.Surgical topics are 8-10%
  9. 9.Unstable patient: treat before testing
  10. 10.Reproductive age: check hCG first
  11. 11.Hyperkalemia: calcium gluconate first
  12. 12.Drain abscess before antibiotics
  13. 13.Chlamydia = doxycycline seven days
  14. 14.Stroke: thrombolysis within 4.5 hours
  15. 15.Metformin first for type 2
  16. 16.Answer every question
Same family resources

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