514 PANCE diagnosis outlines

Written & clinically reviewed by Ryan Busch, PA-C · Updated July 2026 · Report an error

Every entry is a clean, one-page review — definition, pathophysiology, differentials, workup, first-line treatment, complications, and high-yield pearls. Clinician-reviewed and mapped to the NCCPA blueprint.

♥ Cardiovascular 40

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)Stable AnginaHeart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)Atrial FibrillationAtrial FlutterHypertensionHyperlipidemiaAortic StenosisMitral RegurgitationAortic Regurgitation (AR)Mitral Stenosis (MS)Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)Infective Endocarditis (IE)Acute PericarditisPericardial Effusion and Cardiac TamponadeHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular FibrillationSupraventricular Tachycardia (AVNRT / AVRT)Atrioventricular (AV) BlocksPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)Aortic Aneurysm (Abdominal and Thoracic)Aortic DissectionDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart DiseaseMyocarditisPatent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)Tetralogy of FallotCoarctation of the AortaCor PulmonaleRestrictive CardiomyopathySick Sinus SyndromeLong QT Syndrome and Brugada SyndromeOrthostatic Hypotension and Vasovagal SyncopeChronic Venous InsufficiencyLymphedemaPremature Atrial and Ventricular Contractions

◈ Pulmonary 34

AsthmaChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (HAP/VAP)Aspiration Pneumonia and PneumonitisTuberculosis (Active and Latent)Pulmonary Embolism (PE)Pulmonary HypertensionPneumothorax (Spontaneous and Tension)Pleural EffusionAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)Lung Cancer (Small Cell and Non-Small Cell)BronchiectasisCystic FibrosisSarcoidosisIdiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)Pneumoconioses (Silicosis, Asbestosis, Coal Worker's, Berylliosis)Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)Acute BronchitisInfluenzaCroup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)EpiglottitisBronchiolitis (RSV)Pertussis (Whooping Cough)Hypersensitivity PneumonitisSolitary Pulmonary Nodule (Fleischner Evaluation)AtelectasisMediastinitis and Mediastinal MassPulmonary ContusionSmoke Inhalation and Inhalation InjuryMassive HemoptysisChronic Cough WorkupForeign Body Aspiration (Adult and Pediatric)Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation

⬡ Gastrointestinal 42

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)Helicobacter pylori InfectionEosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)Esophageal VaricesAchalasiaEsophageal CancerGastric CancerIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Crohn DiseaseUlcerative Colitis (UC)Diverticulitis and DiverticulosisColorectal Cancer (CRC)HemorrhoidsAcute AppendicitisAcute CholecystitisCholelithiasis and Biliary ColicCholedocholithiasis and Ascending CholangitisAcute PancreatitisChronic PancreatitisPancreatic AdenocarcinomaViral Hepatitis (A, B, C)Cirrhosis (Ascites, Varices, Encephalopathy)Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)Celiac DiseaseSmall Bowel Obstruction (SBO)Clostridioides difficile ColitisAbdominal Wall Hernias (Inguinal, Hiatal, Umbilical, Femoral, Ventral)Mallory-Weiss TearBoerhaave Syndrome (Esophageal Perforation)Intussusception (Pediatric)Volvulus (Sigmoid and Cecal)Toxic MegacolonMesenteric Ischemia (Acute and Chronic)Acute Liver FailureWilson DiseaseHereditary HemochromatosisPrimary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)Anal Fissure and Anal FistulaPilonidal Disease (Cyst, Abscess, Sinus)Upper and Lower GI Bleeding (Approach and Management)

◆ Musculoskeletal 44

Osteoarthritis (OA)Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)GoutPseudogout (CPPD Disease)Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)FibromyalgiaAnkylosing Spondylitis (Axial Spondyloarthritis)Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)Septic ArthritisOsteomyelitisOsteoporosisAcute Low Back Pain and Lumbar RadiculopathyLumbar Spinal StenosisRotator Cuff Disorders (Tendinopathy, Impingement, Tears)Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)Anterior Shoulder DislocationLateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)Carpal Tunnel SyndromeDe Quervain TenosynovitisHip Fracture (Femoral Neck and Intertrochanteric)Meniscus TearAnterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) TearAnkle SprainPlantar FasciitisBursitis (Olecranon, Prepatellar, Trochanteric)Ganglion CystTrigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)Dupuytren ContractureScaphoid FractureColles Fracture (Distal Radius)Boxer's Fracture (Fifth Metacarpal Neck)Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)Legg-Calvé-Perthes DiseaseDevelopmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)Osgood-Schlatter DiseaseScoliosis (Adolescent Idiopathic)Polymyositis and DermatomyositisSystemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)Sjögren SyndromeReactive ArthritisPaget Disease of BoneOsteomalacia and Rickets

⚗ Endocrinology 30

Type 1 Diabetes MellitusType 2 Diabetes MellitusDiabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)HypoglycemiaHyperthyroidism (Graves Disease)Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto Thyroiditis)Thyroid StormMyxedema ComaThyroid Nodule and Thyroid CancerPrimary HyperparathyroidismHypoparathyroidismCushing SyndromePrimary Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison Disease)PheochromocytomaPrimary Hyperaldosteronism (Conn Syndrome)AcromegalyProlactinomaDiabetes InsipidusSIADHHypocalcemiaHypercalcemiaMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN1 and MEN2)Hypopituitarism (Panhypopituitarism, Sheehan Syndrome)GynecomastiaMale HypogonadismCarcinoid SyndromeInsulinomaSubacute (de Quervain) ThyroiditisHyperprolactinemia (Drug-Induced, Physiologic, and Pathologic)

◎ Neurology 39

Ischemic StrokeHemorrhagic (Intracerebral) StrokeTransient Ischemic Attack (TIA)Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)Subdural Hematoma (SDH)Epidural Hematoma (EDH)Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryMigraineTension-Type HeadacheCluster HeadacheSeizures and EpilepsyStatus EpilepticusMultiple SclerosisGuillain-Barré SyndromeMyasthenia GravisParkinson DiseaseAlzheimer DiseaseVascular DementiaDeliriumBell PalsyBacterial MeningitisHSV EncephalitisBenign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)Trigeminal NeuralgiaDiabetic Peripheral NeuropathyBrain Tumors (Primary and Metastatic)Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Huntington DiseaseEssential TremorDementia with Lewy BodiesFrontotemporal DementiaIdiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri)Normal Pressure HydrocephalusRestless Legs Syndrome (Willis-Ekbom Disease)Cauda Equina SyndromeAcute Spinal Cord Injury / CompressionMénière DiseaseVestibular Neuritis and LabyrinthitisCarotid Artery Stenosis

◉ Reproductive 46

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)EndometriosisUterine Fibroids (Leiomyoma)Abnormal Uterine BleedingPrimary AmenorrheaSecondary AmenorrheaMenopausePelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)Bacterial VaginosisCandidal VulvovaginitisTrichomoniasisCervical Cancer and HPVEndometrial CancerOvarian CancerBreast CancerFibrocystic Breast ChangesFibroadenomaMastitisEctopic PregnancySpontaneous AbortionPreeclampsia and EclampsiaGestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)Placenta PreviaPlacental AbruptionErectile DysfunctionBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)Acute Bacterial ProstatitisTesticular TorsionPremature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) and Preterm PROM (PPROM)Preterm LaborHELLP SyndromeIntrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)Hyperemesis GravidarumPostpartum HemorrhagePostpartum Depression and Postpartum PsychosisMultiple Gestation PregnancyInfertility (Workup and Approach)Pelvic Organ ProlapsePremenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and PMDDAtrophic Vaginitis (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause)Bartholin Gland Cyst and AbscessVulvar Lichen SclerosusVaricoceleHydroceleCryptorchidism (Undescended Testis)Phimosis, Paraphimosis, Priapism, and Peyronie Disease

◑ Psychiatry/Behavioral 36

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)Bipolar I DisorderGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)Panic DisorderObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)SchizophreniaBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)Stimulant Use DisorderAnorexia NervosaBulimia NervosaBinge Eating Disorder (BED)Adjustment DisorderSuicidality AssessmentTobacco Use DisorderInsomnia DisorderAcute Psychosis EvaluationPersistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)Bipolar II Disorder and Cyclothymic DisorderSocial Anxiety DisorderSpecific PhobiasAgoraphobiaSomatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety DisorderConversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)Factitious Disorder vs MalingeringDissociative Disorders (DID, Dissociative Amnesia, Depersonalization/Derealization)Cluster A Personality Disorders (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal)Histrionic and Narcissistic Personality Disorders (Cluster B)Cluster C Personality Disorders (Avoidant, Dependent, OCPD)Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant DisorderIntellectual Developmental Disorder and Specific Learning Disorders

◫ Hematology 32

Iron Deficiency AnemiaAnemia of Chronic Disease (Anemia of Inflammation)Vitamin B12 Deficiency / Pernicious AnemiaFolate Deficiency AnemiaSickle Cell DiseaseThalassemia (Alpha and Beta)G6PD DeficiencyAplastic AnemiaWarm Autoimmune Hemolytic AnemiaImmune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) / Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)Hemophilia A and BVon Willebrand DiseaseAcute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)Hodgkin LymphomaNon-Hodgkin LymphomaMultiple MyelomaPolycythemia VeraHereditary SpherocytosisParoxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)Hereditary ThrombophiliasAntiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)Essential Thrombocythemia (ET)Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)Febrile Neutropenia / Neutropenic Fever

◧ Renal/Urology 34

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)End-Stage Renal Disease and DialysisNephrotic SyndromeNephritic SyndromeIgA NephropathyAcute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN)Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (PSGN)Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)Urolithiasis (Kidney Stones)Acute Cystitis (Uncomplicated UTI)Acute PyelonephritisRenal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)Bladder CancerUrinary Incontinence (Stress, Urge, Overflow)HyponatremiaHypernatremiaHyperkalemiaHypokalemiaMetabolic Acidosis (Anion Gap and Non-Gap)RhabdomyolysisFocal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)Minimal Change DiseaseMembranous NephropathyMembranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN)Lupus NephritisGoodpasture Syndrome (Anti-GBM Disease)Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener) and ANCA-Associated VasculitidesIgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura)Hyperphosphatemia and HypophosphatemiaHypomagnesemia and HypermagnesemiaMetabolic AlkalosisRespiratory Acidosis and Respiratory Alkalosis

◬ Infectious Disease 54

HIV / AIDSLyme DiseaseRocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)Infectious Mononucleosis (EBV)Cytomegalovirus (CMV)Sepsis and Septic ShockCellulitisErysipelasNecrotizing FasciitisTetanusRabies Post-Exposure ProphylaxisMalariaToxoplasmosisGiardiasisCryptosporidiosisSyphilisChlamydia trachomatis Genital InfectionGonorrheaGenital Herpes (HSV-2)HPV Genital Warts (Condyloma acuminatum)Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)COVID-19MRSA Skin and Soft Tissue InfectionsTravelers' Diarrhea and Typhoid FeverHistoplasmosisCoccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)BlastomycosisAspergillosis (Invasive, ABPA, Aspergilloma)Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV)Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP)MucormycosisInvasive Candidiasis (Candidemia)BabesiosisAnaplasmosis and EhrlichiosisStrongyloidiasisSchistosomiasisHookworm and Ascariasis (Intestinal Helminths)Taeniasis and CysticercosisEchinococcosis (Hydatid Disease)Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Pathogenic E. coli (Bacterial Enteritis)Vibrio cholerae and Other Vibrio InfectionsListeriosisCat-Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae)BrucellosisQ Fever (Coxiella burnetii)Anthrax, Plague, and Tularemia (Bioterrorism Trio)Measles (Rubeola)MumpsRubella (German Measles)Varicella (Chickenpox)Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease, Parvovirus B19)Roseola (HHV-6) and Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (Coxsackievirus)Scarlet FeverKawasaki Disease

◰ Dermatology 43

Acne VulgarisRosaceaAtopic Dermatitis (Eczema)Allergic and Irritant Contact DermatitisSeborrheic DermatitisPsoriasisLichen PlanusPityriasis RoseaTinea Infections (corporis, capitis, pedis, cruris, versicolor)Cutaneous CandidiasisScabiesPediculosisImpetigoHerpes Zoster (Shingles)Verrucae (Warts, HPV)Molluscum ContagiosumUrticaria (Acute and Chronic)Erythema MultiformeStevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal NecrolysisVitiligoHidradenitis SuppurativaBasal Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell CarcinomaMelanomaActinic KeratosisCutaneous Abscess, Furuncle, CarbuncleBurns (Thermal)Pemphigus VulgarisBullous PemphigoidDermatitis HerpetiformisErythema NodosumPyoderma GangrenosumAlopecia (Areata, Androgenetic, Telogen Effluvium)OnychomycosisParonychia (Acute and Chronic)Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis)Lichen Sclerosus (Genital)Lipoma and Epidermoid (Sebaceous) CystPyogenic GranulomaCafé-au-Lait Macules and Neurofibromatosis AssociationsPressure Ulcers (Decubitus)Frostbite and Heat-Related IllnessFolliculitis (Bacterial, Hot Tub, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae)

◷ EENT 40

Acute Otitis Media (AOM)Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)Sensorineural and Conductive Hearing LossCerumen ImpactionAllergic RhinitisAcute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis (ABRS)Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)EpistaxisGroup A Streptococcal PharyngitisPeritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)Bacterial ConjunctivitisViral ConjunctivitisAllergic ConjunctivitisHordeolum (Stye) and ChalazionBlepharitisAcute Angle-Closure GlaucomaPrimary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)Age-Related CataractsAge-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)Diabetic RetinopathyRetinal DetachmentCorneal AbrasionSubconjunctival HemorrhageDental Caries and Periodontal DiseaseOtosclerosisAcute MastoiditisCholesteatomaTemporomandibular Joint (TMJ) DysfunctionSalivary Gland Disorders (Sialadenitis, Sialolithiasis, Parotitis)Oral Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity)Leukoplakia and Erythroplakia (Oral Premalignant Lesions)Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores)Optic NeuritisAnterior Uveitis (Iritis)Pterygium and PingueculaDry Eye Disease (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)Traumatic HyphemaGlobe Rupture and Open Globe InjuryOrbital Cellulitis vs Preseptal (Periorbital) CellulitisOrbital Floor Fracture (Blowout Fracture)

Educational use only. This outline is a study aid for PA students and is not medical advice or a substitute for clinical judgment. FirstPassPA is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCCPA or PAEA. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants; End of Rotation™ is a program of the Physician Assistant Education Association.