Organ Systems
The table below illustrates the approximate percentage of exam questions you'll encounter. Other content dimensions cross-sect these categories. For example, up to 20 percent of the questions on any exam may be related to surgery, and up to two percent may cover legal or ethical issues.
Organ System % of Exam Content Although not an exhaustive listing, click on each organ system to view a sample of the diseases, disorders and medical Cardiovascular 16 assessments you may encounter during the exam. These lists can provide a foundation for your exam preparation and serve Pulmonary 12 as your blueprint to the exam content. Endocrine 6 Each question you encounter will address an organ system EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat) 9 from the table at left and a physician assistant practice task area. Gastrointestinal /Nutritional 10
Genitourinary 6
Musculoskeletal 10
Reproductive 8
Neurologic System 6
Psychiatry/Behavioral 6
Dermatologic 5
Hematologic 3
Infectious Diseases 3
Total: 100%
Cardiovascular System
Cardiomyopathy Congestive Heart Failure Vascular Disease Dilated Hypertension Acute rheumatic fever Hypertrophic Essential Aortic aneurysm/dissection Restrictive Secondary Arterial embolism/thrombosis Conduction Disorders Malignant Chronic/acute arterial occlusion Atrial fibrillation/flutter Hypotension Giant cell arteritis Atrioventricular block Cardiogenic shock Peripheral vascular disease Bundle branch block Orthostasis/postural Phlebitis/thrombophlebitis Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia Ischemic Heart Disease Venous thrombosis Premature beats Acute myocardial infarction Varicose veins Ventricular tachycardia Angina pectoris Valvular Disease Ventricular fibrillation/flutter • Stable Aortic stenosis/insufficiency Congenital Heart Disease • Unstable Mitral stenosis/insufficiency Atrial septal defect • Prinzmetal's/variant Mitral valve prolapse Coarctation of aorta Tricuspid stenosis/insufficiency Patent ductus arteriosus Pulmonary stenosis/insufficiency Tetralogy of Fallot Other Forms of Heart Disease Ventricular septal defect Acute and subacute bacterial endocarditis Acute pericarditis Cardiac tamponade Pericardial effusion
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Pulmonary System
Infectious Disorders Neoplastic Disease Pulmonary Circulation Acute bronchitis Bronchogenic carcinoma Pulmonary embolism Acute bronchiolitis Carcinoid tumors Pulmonary hypertension Acute epiglottitis Metastatic tumors Cor pulmonale Croup Pulmonary nodules Restrictive Pulmonary Disease Influenza Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Pertussis Asthma Pneumoconiosis Pneumonias Bronchiectasis Sarcoidosis • Bacterial Chronic bronchitis Other Pulmonary Disease • Viral Cystic fibrosis Acute respiratory distress syndrome • Fungal Emphysema Hyaline membrane disease • HIV-related Pleural Diseases Foreign body aspiration Respiratory syncytial virus infection Pleural effusion Tuberculosis Pneumothorax • Primary • Secondary • Traumatic • Tension Return to Top
Endocrine System
Diseases of the Thyroid Gland Diseases of the Adrenal Glands Diabetes Mellitus Hyperparathyroidism Cushing's syndrome Type 1 Hypoparathyroidism Corticoadrenal insufficiency Type 2 Hyperthyroidism Diseases of the Pituitary Gland Hypoglycemia Hypothyroidism Acromegaly/gigantism Lipid Disorders Thyroiditis Dwarfism Hypercholesterolemia Neoplastic disease Diabetes insipidus Hypertriglyceridemia
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EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat)
Eye Disorders Ear Disorders Mouth/Throat Disorders Blepharitis Acute/chronic otitis media Acute pharyngitis Blowout fracture Barotrauma Acute tonsillitis Cataract Cerumen impaction Aphthous ulcers Chalazion Hearing impairment Dental abscess Conjunctivitis Mastoiditis Epiglottitis Corneal abrasion Meniere's disease Laryngitis Dacryoadenitis Labyrinthitis Oral candidiasis Ectropion Otitis externa Oral herpes simplex Entropion Tympanic membrane perforation Oral leukoplakia Foreign body Vertigo Peritonsillar abscess Glaucoma Nose/Sinus Disorders Parotitis Hordeolum Acute/chronic sinusitis Sialadenitis Hyphema Allergic rhinitis Macular degeneration Epistaxis Orbital cellulitis Nasal polyps Pterygium Retinal detachment Retinal vascular occlusion Retinopathy • Diabetic • Hypertensive Strabismus Return to Top
Gastrointestinal System/Nutrition
Esophagus Pancreas Hernia Esophagitis Acute/chronic pancreatitis Hiatal Motor disorders Neoplasms Incisional Mallory-Weiss tear Small Intestine/Colon Inguinal Neoplasms Appendicitis Umbilical Strictures Constipation Ventral Varices Diverticular disease Infectious Diarrhea Stomach Inflammatory bowel disease Nutritional Deficiencies Gastroesophageal reflux disease Intussusception Niacin Gastritis Irritable bowel syndrome Thiamine Neoplasms Ischemic bowel disease Vitamin A Peptic ulcer disease Neoplasms Riboflavin Pyloric stenosis Obstruction Vitamin C Gallbladder Toxic megacolon Vitamin D Acute/chronic cholecystitis Rectum Vitamin K Cholelithiasis Anal fissure Metabolic Disorders Liver Anorectal abscess/fistula Lactose intolerance Acute/chronic hepatitis Fecal impaction Phenylketonuria Cirrhosis Hemorrhoids Neoplasms Neoplasms Pilonidal disease Polyps
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Genitourinary System
Benign Conditions of the GU Tract Infectious/Inflammatory Conditions Renal Diseases Benign prostatic hyperplasia Cystitis Acute/chronic renal failure Cryptorchidism Epididymitis Glomerulonephritis Erectile dysfunction Orchitis Nephrotic syndrome Hydrocele/varicocele Prostatitis Polycystic kidney disease Incontinence Pyelonephritis Electrolyte and Acid/Base Disorders Nephro/urolithiasis Urethritis Hypo/hypernatremia Paraphimosis/phimosis Neoplastic Diseases Hypo/hyperkalemia Testicular torsion Bladder carcinoma Hypo/hypercalcemia Prostate carcinoma Hypomagnesemia Renal cell carcinoma Metabolic alkalosis/acidosis Testicular carcinoma Respiratory alkalosis/acidosis Wilms' tumor Volume depletion Volume excess
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Reproductive System
Uterus Menstrual Disorders Complicated Pregnancy Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Amenorrhea Abortion Endometrial cancer Dysmenorrhea Abruptio placentae Endometriosis/adenomyosis Premenstrual syndrome Dystocia Leiomyoma Menopause Ectopic pregnancy Metritis Breast Fetal distress Prolapse Abscess Gestational diabetes Ovary Carcinoma Gestational trophoblastic disease Cysts Fibroadenoma Molar pregnancy Neoplasms Fibrocystic disease Multiple gestation Cervix Mastitis Placenta previa Carcinoma Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Postpartum hemorrhage Cervicitis Contraceptive Methods Pregnancy-induced hypertension Dysplasia Infertility Premature rupture of membranes Incompetent Uncomplicated Pregnancy Rh incompatibility Vagina/Vulva Prenatal diagnosis/care Cystocele Normal labor/delivery Neoplasm Prolapse Rectocele Return to Top Vaginitis
Musculoskeletal System
Disorders of the Shoulder Disorders of the Back/Spine Infectious Diseases Fractures/dislocations Ankylosing spondylitis Acute/chronic osteomyelitis Rotator cuff disorders Back strain/sprain Septic arthritis Separations Cauda equina Neoplastic Disease Sprain/strain Herniated nucleus pulposis Bone cysts/tumors Disorders of the Forearm/Wrist/Hand Kyphosis/scoliosis Ganglion cysts Fractures/dislocations Low back pain Osteosarcoma • Boxer's Spinal stenosis Osteoarthritis • Colles' Disorders of the Hip Osteoporosis • Gamekeeper's thumb Aseptic necrosis Rheumatologic Conditions • Humeral Fractures/dislocations Fibromyalgia • Nursemaid's elbow Slipped capital femoral epiphysis Gout/pseudogout • Scaphoid Disorders of the Knee Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Sprains/strains Bursitis Polyarteritis nodosa Tenosynovitis Fractures/dislocations Polymyositis • Carpal tunnel syndrome Meniscal injuries Polymyalgia rheumatica • de Quervain's tenosynovitis Osgood-Schlatter disease Reiter's syndrome • Elbow tendinitis Sprains/strains Rheumatoid arthritis • Epicondylitis Disorders of the Ankle/Foot Systemic lupus erythematosus Fractures/dislocations Scleroderma Sjogren's syndrome Sprains/strains
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Neurologic System
Alzheimer's Disease Infectious Disorders Multiple Sclerosis Cerebral Palsy Encephalitis Seizure Disorders Diseases of Peripheral Nerves Meningitis Generalized convulsive disorder Bell's palsy Movement Disorders Generalized nonconvulsive disorder Diabetic peripheral neuropathy Essential tremor Status epilepticus Guillain-Barre syndrome Huntington's disease Vascular Diseases Myasthenia gravis Parkinson's disease Cerebral aneurysm Headaches Stroke Cluster headache Transient ischemic attack Migraine Tension headache Return to Top
Psychiatry/Behavioral Science
Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders Psychoses Panic disorder Adjustment Delusional disorder Generalized anxiety disorder Depressive Schizophrenia Posttraumatic stress disorder Dysthymic Schizoaffective disorder Phobias Bipolar Somatoform Disorders Attention-Deficit Disorder Personality Disorders Substance Use Disorders Autistic Disorder Antisocial Alcohol abuse/dependence Eating Disorders Avoidant Drug abuse/dependence Anorexia nervosa Borderline Tobacco use/dependence Bulimia nervosa Histrionic Other Behavior/Emotional Disorders Obesity Narcissistic Acute reaction to stress Obsessive-compulsive Child/elder abuse Paranoid Domestic violence Schizoid Uncomplicated bereavement Schizotypal
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Dermatologic System
Eczematous Eruptions Vesicular Bullae Viral Diseases Dermatitis Bullous pemphigoid Condyloma acuminatum • Atopic Acneiform Lesions Exanthems • Contact Acne vulgaris Herpes simplex • Diaper Rosacea Molluscum contagiosum • Nummular eczematous Folliculitis Verrucae • Perioral Verrucous Lesions Varicella-zoster virus infections • Seborrheic Seborrheic keratosis Bacterial Infections • Stasis Actinic keratosis Cellulitis/vasculitis Dyshidrosis Insects/Parasites Erysipelas Lichen simplex chronicus Lice Impetigo Papulosquamous Diseases Scabies Other Dermatophyte infections Spider bites Acanthosis nigricans • Tinea versicolor Neoplasms Burns • Tinea corporis/pedis Basal cell carcinoma Decubitus ulcers/leg ulcers Drug eruptions Melanoma Hidradenitis suppurativa Lichen planus Squamous cell carcinoma Lipomas/epithelial inclusion cysts Pityriasis rosea Hair and Nails Melasma Psoriasis Alopecia areata Urticaria Desquamation Androgenetic alopecia Vitiligo Stevens-Johnson syndrome Onycomycosis Toxic epidermal necrolysis Paronychia Erythema multiforme Return to Top
Hematologic System
Anemias Coagulation Disorders Malignancies Aplastic anemia Factor VIII disorders Acute/chronic lymphocytic leukemia Vitamin B12 deficiency Factor IX disorders Acute/chronic myelogenous leukemia Folate deficiency Factor XI disorders Lymphoma Iron deficiency Thrombocytopenia Multiple myeloma G6PD deficiency • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura Hemolytic anemia • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Sickle cell anemia • Von Willebrand's disease Thalassemia Return to Top
Infectious Diseases
Fungal Disease Mycobacterial Disease Viral Disease Candidiasis Tuberculosis Cytomegalovirus infections Cryptococcosis Atypical mycobacterial disease Epstein-Barr virus infections Histoplasmosis Parasitic Disease Erythema infectiosum Pneumocystis Amebiasis Herpes simplex Bacterial Disease Hookworms HIV infection Botulism Malaria Human papillomavirus infections Chlamydia Pinworms Influenza Cholera Toxoplasmosis Mumps Diphtheria Spirochetal Disease Rabies Gonococcal infections Lyme borreliosis Roseola Salmonellosis • Lyme disease Rubella Shigellosis Rocky Mountain spotted fever Measles Tetanus Syphilis Varicella-zoster virus infections
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• Physician Assistant Practice Task Areas • Sample Diseases/Disorders by Organ System
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