Emergency Medicine CAQ Review for Physician Assistants > Emergency Medicine

Ace the EM-CAQ and advance your PA career!

Written entirely by physician assistants, for physician assistants, Emergency Medicine CAQ Review for Physician Assistants is your go-to study guide for the Physician Assistants EM-CAQ exam. Now this first-of-its kind review offers you a convenient resource to help you need to demonstrate your proficiency and expertise in emergency medicine!
•Consult just one reliable source for a complete review of what you need to know for the exam.
•Prepare with confidence! This study guide was written using the NCCPA emergency medicine content blueprint.
•Get focused, well-organized, and up-to-date guidance from EM-PAs who have passed the exam.
•Maximize your study time with 250 multiple-choice questions that mimic the exam, including rationales for correct and incorrect answers.
•Cover every area of your field in one easy-access guide: abdominal and GI; cardiovascular; dermatologic; endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional disorders; environmental; head, ear, eye, nose, and throat disorders; hematologic; immune system; musculoskeletal; nervous system; obstetrics and gynecology; psychobehavioral disorders; pulmonary; renal and urogenital; systemic infectious disorders; toxicology disorders; traumatic disorders; procedures and skills; and other topics.
“The book is a treasure trove of clinical information, carefully formulated with a question-based format designed to optimally prepare [physician assistants] for their emergency medicine examinations.” - Ron M. Walls, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Brigham and Women's Health Care, Neskey Family Professor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 

Now with the print edition, enjoy the bundled interactive eBook edition, offering tablet, smartphone, or online access to:•Complete content with enhanced navigation
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•Cross-linked pages, references, and more for easy navigation
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Abdominal & Gastrointestinal Disorders – 10%

Heather Becker, MS, PA-C – Jessica Britnell, MS, PA-C - Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Michelle Higgins, MS, PA-C – Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C - Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C 

Anorectal disordersHemorrhoids
Anal Fissure
Anorectal Abscess
Pilonidal Cyst

Appendicitis
Cholecystitis, biliary tract disease, and pancreatitisCholelithiasis
Cholecystits
Acalulous Cholecystitis
Choledocolithiasis
Cholangitis
Tumors of Biliary Tree and Gallbladder
Pancreatitis

Esophageal DisordersPeptic Ulcer Disease
Esophageal Varices
Mallory-Weis Tear

Gastroenteritis, colitis, diverticulitisGastroenteritis
Colitis
Diverticulitis

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Hepatitis
Intestinal and bowel obstruction
Mesenteric ischemia
Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and constipationNausea and Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation

Pediatric abdominal painIntussusception
Meckel’s Diverticulum
Pyloric Stenosis
Volvulus

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis



Cardiovascular Disorders – 11%

Jessica Britnell, MS, PA-C - Kelly Devine, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Ashley Hughes, MS, PA-C – Mary Beth Samborski, MS, PA-C

Acute coronary syndromes
Aortic dissection and aneurysmAortic Aneurysm
Aortic Dissection

Atrial and ventricular conduction disordersFirst Degree Heart Block
Second Degree Heart Block:
Third Degree Complete Heart Block
Atrial Fibrillation
AV Node Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT)
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)
Torsade de Pointes
Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)

Cardiac tamponade and Cardiogenic shockCardiac Tamponade
Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiomyopathy, Myocarditis, endocarditis, and pericarditisDilated Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis
Pericarditis

Congestive heart failure and pulmonary edemaCongestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Pulmonary Edema

Hypertensive urgency and emergenciesHypertensive Urgency
Hypertensive Emergency

Thromboembolic disease
Valvular disordersInfectious Endocarditis
Rheumatic Fever
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis


Dermatologic Disorders – 2%

Matt Brochu, MS, PA-C - Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Donna Collins, MS, PA-C

Cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseasesStevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Toxic-Shock Syndrome

Fungal, bacterial, and viral infectionsFungalTinea
Candidiasis

BacterialImpetigo
Abscesses
Erysipelas
Scarlet Fever

ViralHerpes zoster (Shingles)
Measles (Rubeola)


Infestations and insect bitesScabies
Lice


Endocrine, Metabolic, & Nutritional Disorders – 4%

Erin Bradley, MS, PA-C - Sabrina Cataldo, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C - Fred Won, PA-C

Acid-base disorders
Adrenal insufficiency/crisisAdrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal Crisis

Diabetic ketoacidosis
Electrolyte disorders and SIADHHypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypomagnesmia
Hypermagnesemia
Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia
Hypercalcemia
Hypocalcemia

Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism, thyroid storm, and myxedemaHypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism

Hypoglycemia
Hyperosmolar coma
Hypoparathyroidism



Environmental Disorders – 2%

Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C – Tara Itrich, MS, PA-C - Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C – Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C

Altitude and dive emergenciesHigh Altitude Syndrome
High Altitude Cerebral Edema
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Decompressed IllnessDecompression Sickness

Arterial Gas Embolism

Animal bites and toxic envenomationsHymenoptera
Brown Recluse Spiders
Black Widow Spider
Scorpians
Pit Vipers
Coral Snakes
Cat Bite

Burns
Hyperthermia and HypothermiaHeat Stroke
Frostbite
Hypothermia

Inhalation of carbon monoxide



Head, Ear, Eye, Nose & Throat Disorders – 5%

Tara Itrich, MS, PA-C – Noelia Kvaternik, MS, PA-C – Ben Miller, MS, PA-C - Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C - Fred Won, PA-C

Croup, Epiglottitis, Pediatric URI, PertussisCroup
Epiglottitis
Pediatric URI
Pertussis

Epistaxis, Nasal Foreign BodyEpistaxis
Nasal Foreign Body 

External, middle, and inner ear disordersOtitis Externa
Acute Otitis Media
Acute Mastoiditis

Hearing loss
Ocular disordersChemical Burn
Open Globe
Traumatic Hyphema
Corneal Abrasions
Retinal Detachment
Iritis
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Blepharitis
Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis
Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma
Acute Angle Closure 

Oral and dental emergenciesDental Abscess
Dental Fracture
Ludwig Angina

Peritonsillar/retropharyngeal abscessPeritonsillar Abscess
Retropharyngeal Abscess

Sinusitis



Hematologic Disorders – 2%

Hana Dubsky, MS, PA-C – Tricie Gatcomb, MS, PA-C – Michelle Higgins, MS, PA-C

AnemiasIron Deficiency
Thalassemia
Lead Poisoning
Vitamins B12 Deficiency
Folate Deficiency
Aplastic Anemia
G6PD Deficiency
Sickle Cell Disease

Coagulation DisordersBleeding on Anticoagulants
Hemophilia
von Willebrand Disease
ThrombocytopeniaDisseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Hemolytic Uremia Syndrome (HUS)
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura


Neutropenia
Transfusion and blood component therapyTransfusion Reaction




Immune System Disorders – 2%

Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C

Allergic Reaction
Anaphylactic reactionAnaphylaxis
Accidental Epi-Pen Injection

Conditions associated with immunosuppression
Hereditary Angioedema



Musculoskeletal Disorders – 5%

Nicole Dwyer, PA-C- Ashley Hughes, MS, PA-C

Back painCauda Equina
Cord Compression
Epidural Abscess
Herniated Disc
Spinal Stenosis

Inflammatory and infectious disorders of joints and bonesGout
Septic arthritis
Disseminated Gonococcal Infections
Osteomyelities
Lyme Disease

Overuse injuriesCarpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dequervain’s Tenosynovitis
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Medial Epicondylitis
Lateral Epicondylitis
Olecranon Bursitis
Prepatella Bursitis
Osgood-Schlatter Disease




Nervous System Disorders – 5%

Sabrina Cataldo, MS, PA-C –Tricie Gatcomb, MS, PA-C - Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C – Noelia Kvaternik, MS, PA-C – AJ Maselli, MS, PA-C

Bell palsy
Cord syndromesTransection (Segmental) Syndrome
Dorsal Syndrome
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Central Cord Syndrome
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Pure Motor syndrome
Conus Medullaris Syndrome0

Dementia
Delirium
Drug withdrawal
Guillain-Barre´ syndrome
Headache and migraine
Myasthenia gravis
Peripheral neuropathy
Seizure and status epilepticusSeizure
Status Epilepticus

Subarachnoid/epidural hemorrhageSubarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
Epidural Hematoma (EDH)
Subdural Hematoma (SDH)

Transient ischemic attack, stroke, and cerebral aneurysmTransient ischemic attack
STROKE
CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS

Vertigo and dizziness



Obstetrics and Gynecology – 5%

Heather Becker, MS, PA-C - MacKenzie Bohlen, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C- Noelia Kvaternik, MS, PA-C

Ectopic pregnancy
Endometritis
Mastitis
Miscarriages
Ovarian mass, ovarian cysts, and ovarian torsionOvarian Masses
Ruptured/Hemorrhagic Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian Torsion

Pelvic inflammatory disease
Placental abruption and placenta previaPlacental Abruption
Placenta Previa

Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP
Tubo-ovarian abscess
Vulvovaginitis

Psychobehavioral Disorders – 3%

Rachel Frances, MS, PA-C – Carla Novaleski, MS, PA-C - Audrey Ranieri, MS, PA-C

AbuseElder Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Intimate Partner Abuse
Child Abuse

Behavioral and personality disordersAttention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Disruption Behavior Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Personality Disorders

Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Grief reactions
Panic and anxiety disordersPanic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder

PsychosisNeuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Substance abuse/overdoseDepressants
Stimulants
Opiates
Hallucinogens
Club Drugs
Dissociative Drugs
Prescription Medications


Pulmonary Disorders – 9%

Erin Bradley, MS, PA-C – Kelly Devine, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C - Christie Lucente, MS, PA-C – Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C

Bronchitis, pneumonias, lung abscess, and empyemaBronchitis
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Abscess and Necrotizing Pneumonia
Empyema

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and bronchiolitisChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Asthma (Acute Exacerbation)
Bronchiolitis

Interstitial lung disease
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary embolism
Respiratory failure
Sleep Apnea
Tuberculosis

Renal and Urogenital Disorders – 3%

Noah Askman, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C

Acute renal failure
Nephrolithiasis
Paraphimosis and PhimosisParaphimosis 
Phimosis

Priapism
Pyelonephritis, Urinary Tract Infections, Urosepsis, Perinephric AbscessPyelonephritis
Urinary Tract Infection
Urosepsis
Perinephric Abscess

Sexually Transmitted InfectionsGenital Herpes
Syphilis
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Genital Warts

Testicular PainTesticular Torsion
Orchitis
Epididymitis
Fornier’s Gangrene




Systemic Infectious Disorders – 6%

Matt Brochu, MS, PA-C – Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C – Noelia Kvaternik, MS, PA-C

Central nervous system infectionsBacterial Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Enchephalitis
Brain Abscess

Foodborne and waterborne illnessesInfectious Diarrhea
Norovirus
Rotavirus
E.Coli 0157:H7
Campylobacter Jejuni
Salmonella
Shigella
Yersinia
Giardia Lambia
Entamoeba Histolytica
Cyclosporiasis
Cryptosporidium
Staph Aureus
C.Difficile

HUMAN IMMUNODECIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
Infectious mononucleosis
Parasitic infectionsAscariasis
Hookworm
Pinworm
Threadworm
Trichinellosis/Trichinosis
Schistosomiasis
Whipworm
Tapeworm
Giardiasis
Amebiasis
Trypanosomiasis
Cholera

Rabies
Sepsis
Tetanus
Tick-borne and vector-borne illnessesLyme
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Tularemia
West Nile
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Brucellosis




Toxicologic Disorders – 4%

Heather Becker, MS, PA-C – Hannah Dodd, MS, PA-C – Rachel Frances, MS, PA-C

Acetaminophen, salicylates, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsAcetaminophen
Salicylates
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)

Anticholinergics
Drugs of abuseOpioids
Cocaine/Amphetamines

MetalsLead
Mercury
Organophosphates

Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antipsychotics, lithium carbonate, and benzodiazepinesTricyclics
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Antipsychotics
Lithium Carbonate
Benzodiazepines




Traumatic Disorders – 12%

Nicole Kostarellas, MS, PA-C - Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C

Facial traumaMandibular Fracture
Maxillary Fracture (Midface Fracture)
Zygomatic Fracture
Orbital Blowout Fracture
Nasal Fracture
Frontal Sinus Fracture

Musculoskeletal traumaShoulder Dislocation
Radial Ulna Fractures/Dislocation
Radial Head Fracture
Boxer’s Fracture
Scaphoid Fracture (Navicular)
Gamekeeper’s/Skier’s Thumb
Rib Fracture
Pneumothorax
Hip and Pelvic Fracture
Hip Dislocation
Femur Fracture
Tibial Plateau Fracture
Ankle Fracture
Foot Fractures
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Compartment Syndrome

Neurologic and head traumaHead Trauma
Basilar Skull Fracture

Pediatric TraumaClavicle Fracture
Nursemaid’s Elbow

Trauma in Pregnancy



Procedures & Skills – 7%

Tricie Gatcomb, MS, PA-C - Michelle Higgins, MS, PA-C – Kristen Vella Gray, MS, PA-C

Airway ManagementRapid Sequence Intubation
Cricoidthyrotomy 
Surgical Airway

Cardiac Pacing, Defibrillation, and CardioversionCardiac Pacing
Defibrillation
Cardioversion

Chest Tube Placement
Intraosseous Access
Interpretation of radiologic and diagnostic studies
Lumbar puncture
Nasogastric Tube Placement
Urethral Catheter Placement
Vascular access
Wound managementSoft Tissue Wounds and Repair




Other Components – 3%

Tara Itrich, MS, PA-C – Audrey Ranieri, MS, PA-C

Post-exposure prophylaxis
Vaccinations

Question and Answers