Let’s be honest: when you’re prepping for the PANRE, you don’t want to be taught by someone who has never sat in the "hot seat" of a busy clinic or the high-stakes environment of a Pearson VUE testing center. You want the insider trading. You want the high-yield, "just tell me what I need to know" secrets that only another Physician Assistant can provide. That is the exact philosophy behind the PANRE Review Course at CME Review Courses.
Written by PAs, for PAs, this content cuts through the fluff of traditional academic lecturing and gets straight to the clinical heart of the NCCPA blueprint. It’s efficient, it’s relevant, and quite frankly, it’s the secret weapon you didn't know you needed.
Quick Logistics: What You’re Getting
- Price: $399.99
- Duration of Access: 30 months
- Quantifiable Deliverables: 1,672 Board-Style Review Questions, Answers, and Detailed Explanations
- Credit: 100 Hours of AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME Credit (Note: NCCPA applies an additional 50% weighting, making this worth 150 credits in your portal).
The Efficiency of the Peer Perspective
When a physician writes a board review, they often dive into the deep, dark rabbit holes of pathophysiology that you’ll likely never see on a recertification exam. When a PA writes it, we focus on the clinical presentation, the first-line diagnostic tests, and the "must-not-miss" treatments. We know exactly how the NCCPA likes to phrase questions because we’ve been there.
This course covers the entire spectrum of the PANRE blueprint, including Cardiology, Pulmonology, GI, Musculoskeletal, and beyond. Because it was developed by practicing PAs, the language is familiar and the focus is pragmatic. We don’t just give you a list of symptoms; we give you the "clinical gut feeling" that helps you differentiate between two similar-looking diagnoses under the pressure of the clock.
Not Just for PAs: Value for the Whole Team
While our primary mission is helping our fellow PAs crush the PANRE, our content has become a favorite for other clinicians as well.
- For Physicians: This course provides excellent clinical refreshers. While it does not count for Category 1 CME for physicians, it is highly valued for Category 2 CME.
- For Nurse Practitioners: Many states and credentialing bodies (like the AANP) accept AAPA Category 1 credit for NP recertification. It’s a great way for NPs to get a deep dive into medical blueprints while earning their required hours.
Enrich Your Education (and Your Wallet)
We know you have a CME budget, and we want you to use it as efficiently as possible. This is why we offer our CME with Amazon and Apple Gift Card add-ons. You can add a gift card ranging from $100 to $1,500 to your purchase. The gift card cost is bundled into the total package price on one receipt, allowing you to use your employer-provided funds to secure both high-quality education and the tools (like a new tablet or medical equipment) you need to further your professional development.
Clinical Assessment: Putting Knowledge into Practice
To give you a taste of the PA-to-PA style, let's look at a few clinical scenarios. These are the types of high-yield questions you will encounter among the 1,672 questions in our PANRE Review Course.
Scenario 1: Cardiology
Your patient is a 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and tobacco use who presents to the clinic with complaints of progressive exertional chest pain over the last three months. He describes the pain as a "heavy pressure" that radiates to his left jaw, occurring after walking two blocks and resolving with rest. His current medications include lisinopril and amlodipine. On physical exam, his HR is 72 bpm and BP is 138/84 mmHg. Lungs are clear and S1/S2 are normal. EKG shows normal sinus rhythm with no ST-segment changes.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
A) Immediate referral for cardiac catheterization
B) Exercise stress echocardiography
C) Start high-intensity statin and aspirin, then re-evaluate in 4 weeks
D) Troponin I and CK-MB levels
Explanation:
The correct answer is B) Exercise stress echocardiography. The patient’s presentation is classic for stable angina. Since his baseline EKG is normal and he is capable of exercise, a stress test is the appropriate non-invasive next step to evaluate for inducible ischemia. A is incorrect as catheterization is generally reserved for unstable symptoms or high-risk findings on non-invasive testing. C is incorrect because while those medications are indicated, the diagnosis must be confirmed first. D is incorrect as cardiac enzymes are used for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) evaluation, and this patient is currently asymptomatic with a chronic, stable pattern.
Scenario 2: Dermatology
Your patient is a 24-year-old female who presents with a "stubborn rash" on her back. She states it began two weeks ago with a single, large, oval-shaped red patch on her abdomen, followed by a sudden eruption of smaller, similar-looking lesions across her trunk. She notes mild pruritus but is otherwise asymptomatic. On exam, you observe multiple salmon-colored, scaly papules and plaques following the cleavage lines of the back in a "Christmas tree" distribution.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Tinea Corporis
B) Secondary Syphilis
C) Pityriasis Rosea
D) Guttate Psoriasis
Explanation:
The correct answer is C) Pityriasis Rosea. The "herald patch" followed by a secondary eruption in a "Christmas tree" distribution is pathognomonic. A is incorrect because tinea corporis usually presents as a single or few annular lesions with central clearing, not a widespread eruption. B is incorrect as secondary syphilis usually involves the palms and soles and often presents with lymphadenopathy. D is incorrect because guttate psoriasis typically follows a streptococcal infection and the scales are much thicker and more silvery.
Scenario 3: Pulmonology
Your patient is a 55-year-old male smoker with a history of COPD who presents with increased shortness of breath and a productive cough for the past three days. He has noticed a change in the color and amount of his sputum. His SaO2 is 90% on room air (baseline 93%). On auscultation, you hear diffuse wheezing and diminished breath sounds. He is not in acute respiratory distress.
In addition to increasing his bronchodilator frequency, which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this acute exacerbation?
A) Outpatient treatment with oral prednisone and a macrolide
B) Immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation
C) High-flow oxygen to achieve an SaO2 of 100%
D) Inhaled corticosteroids only
Explanation:
The correct answer is A) Outpatient treatment with oral prednisone and a macrolide. Management of a COPD exacerbation includes bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids (prednisone), and often antibiotics if sputum purulence or volume increases. B is incorrect as he is not in acute failure. C is incorrect because over-oxygenating a COPD patient can lead to hypercapnia; the goal is usually 88-92%. D is incorrect as inhaled steroids are for maintenance, not the primary treatment for an acute flare.
Conclusion
Recertifying doesn't have to be a grind. By choosing a review course designed by your peers, you ensure that your study time is spent on the topics that actually matter for your practice and your exam. With 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 credit, a massive question bank, and the ability to add on a gift card for your own professional enrichment, the PANRE Review Course is the most efficient choice for today's Physician Assistant.
Don't just study: study smart with the PAs who have been where you are.