Price: $229.99
Access: 27 Months
Deliverables: 11,000+ Board-Style Questions, Comprehensive Study Library, and AAPA Category 1 CME Credit
The burden of maintaining your PA certification involves a constant juggling act between clinical practice, board exam preparation, and meeting state-mandated CME requirements. For many physician assistants, pharmacology represents the most challenging section of the NCCPA Blueprint and the most critical area for clinical safety. CME Review Courses has integrated these requirements into a single, efficient stream via the PAtopia All-Access Pass. By utilizing the pharmacology modules within the PAtopia app, you can simultaneously prepare for the PANCE or PACKRAT while earning AAPA Category 1 CME credit in Pharmacology.
Two Birds, One Stone: Clinical Mastery and CME Compliance
Efficiency is the primary driver behind the PAtopia interface. Instead of spending money on a separate question bank for exam prep and a separate subscription for your 2-year CME cycle, PAtopia provides a dual-value platform. The questions you answer within the pharmacology module are designed to mirror the rigors of the PANCE and PANRE-LA, but they also serve as the basis for your pharmacology CME credits.
This is particularly relevant for PAs in states with specific pharmacology credit mandates for license renewal. By focusing your study time on high-yield drug interactions, mechanism of action (MOA) details, and prescribing guidelines, you are meeting both your professional certification goals and your legal licensing requirements in one workflow.
The NCCPA 50% Self-Assessment Bonus
One of the most underutilized advantages in the PA profession is the NCCPA Self-Assessment Bonus. When you complete AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME, the NCCPA awards a 50% bonus on the credits earned.
For example, if you complete a pharmacology module designated for 10 hours of AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment credit, the NCCPA will count this as 15 hours toward your 100-hour requirement for the 2-year cycle. This weighting is applied automatically by the NCCPA when you log your credits. The PAtopia system is designed to leverage this advantage, allowing you to reach your 100-hour goal significantly faster than traditional Category 1 activities.
PAtopia App Access: iOS and Android
The PAtopia platform is built for the modern PA on the move. Whether you are in the clinic between patients or studying at home, you have full access to over 11,000 board-style questions.
- iOS Download: Access the full library of pharmacology, internal medicine, and specialty questions on your iPhone or iPad.
- Android Download: Available for all Android devices via the Google Play Store.
- Free Trial: We offer a free 25-question sample quiz and a 3-day test drive to ensure the platform meets your educational needs before purchasing.
Maximizing Your CME Budget with Gift Card Add-Ons
We understand that many PAs have a yearly CME allowance from their employer. To help you maximize the value of these funds, we offer CME with Amazon and Apple Gift Card add-ons. This allows you to add a $100 to $1500 gift card to your CME purchase. This is an efficient way to use your remaining CME money to not only secure your board review materials and pharmacology credits but also to purchase the hardware (like an iPad or MacBook) or educational resources (like medical textbooks) you need for your practice.
Clinical Pharmacology Practice Questions
To maintain the high standards of our review materials, we have included three pharmacology vignettes below. These are representative of the complexity and style found within the PAtopia All-Access Pass.
Practice Question 1
Your patient is a 64-year-old male with a history of chronic heart failure (HFrEF) and a current ejection fraction of 30%. He presents for a follow-up. He is currently taking Lisinopril, Carvedilol, and Furosemide. His blood pressure is 132/78 mmHg, and his heart rate is 68 bpm. He reports persistent NYHA Class II symptoms. Which of the following medications should be substituted for Lisinopril to further reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization?
A. Losartan (Cozaar)
B. Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto)
C. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
D. Hydralazine and Isosorbide Dinitrate
Correct Answer: B. Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto)
Explanation: In patients with HFrEF (Stage C) who remain symptomatic on standard therapy (ACEi/ARB and Beta-blocker), switching the ACE inhibitor or ARB to an Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) like Sacubitril/Valsartan is recommended. Clinical trials, specifically PARADIGM-HF, demonstrated that ARNI therapy is superior to ACE inhibitors in reducing mortality and hospitalizations.
- Losartan (Choice A) is an ARB and is usually used for patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors, but it does not offer the additional benefit of neprilysin inhibition.
- Spironolactone (Choice C) is an add-on therapy (MRA), not a substitution for an ACE inhibitor.
- Hydralazine (Choice D) is generally reserved for patients who cannot tolerate ACEi/ARB or as an add-on specifically for African American patients with persistent symptoms.
Practice Question 2
Your patient is a 45-year-old female with a history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and a BMI of 34 kg/m². Her latest HbA1c is 8.1% despite adherence to Metformin 1000 mg BID. She is interested in a medication that will help with weight loss while improving her glycemic control. She has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma in her family. Which of the following medications is contraindicated in this patient?
A. Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
B. Sitagliptin (Januvia)
C. Liraglutide (Victoza)
D. Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Correct Answer: C. Liraglutide (Victoza)
Explanation: Liraglutide, like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, carries a black box warning due to its association with C-cell tumors in rodent studies. It is strictly contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Dapagliflozin (Choice A) is an SGLT2 inhibitor and does not carry this contraindication.
- Sitagliptin (Choice B) is a DPP-4 inhibitor and is safe in terms of MTC.
- Glipizide (Choice D) is a sulfonylurea and is not associated with thyroid cancer, though it is less desirable here as it often causes weight gain rather than weight loss.
Practice Question 3
Your patient is a 28-year-old male with a history of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). He was recently started on Paroxetine 20 mg daily. He returns to the clinic reporting new-onset agitation, diaphoresis, and tremors. On physical exam, you note hyperreflexia and spontaneous muscle clonus. His temperature is 101.2°F. He mentions he recently started taking an over-the-counter cough medicine. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
D. Malignant Hyperthermia
Correct Answer: B. Serotonin Syndrome
Explanation: The constellation of neuromuscular hyperactivity (clonus, hyperreflexia), autonomic instability (fever, diaphoresis), and mental status changes (agitation) in a patient on an SSRI strongly suggests Serotonin Syndrome. This is often precipitated by the addition of a second serotonergic agent, such as Dextromethorphan found in OTC cough suppressants.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (Choice A) typically presents with "lead-pipe" rigidity rather than hyperreflexia/clonus and is associated with dopamine antagonists.
- Anticholinergic Toxicity (Choice C) presents with "dry" skin and decreased bowel sounds, unlike the "wet" skin (diaphoresis) seen in Serotonin Syndrome.
- Malignant Hyperthermia (Choice D) is an acute reaction to volatile anesthetics or succinylcholine, not SSRIs.
Take Control of Your Pharmacology Preparation
Pharmacology isn't just a section on the NCCPA Blueprint; it is the cornerstone of clinical practice. The PAtopia All-Access Pass ensures you are prepared for the 11,000 questions you might face on your boards while securing the AAPA Category 1 CME credits you need for your career.
If you are looking for a comprehensive recertification solution, our PANRE Review Course offers 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 credit. For those needing a focused pharmacology update, the PAtopia pharmacology module is the most efficient choice for your time and your budget.
About the Author
Jeremy Boroff, MPAS, PA-C is a practicing Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant with 24 years of clinical experience. He is the author of multiple PA exam review books including Emergency Medicine End Of Rotation (EOR) Exam Review and Test Prep, Ace the Psychiatry & Behavioral Health EOR: The Ultimate Study Guide & Question Bank, and Gynecologic, Sexual, and Reproductive Health End of Rotation (EOR) Exam Review. As an educator and content creator, Jeremy founded CME Review Courses to help PAs pass their certification and recertification exams with high-yield, blueprint-aligned content. He is also the creator of the PAtopia app.
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