PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT NATIONAL CERTIFYING
EXAM 2026 EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY
SYSTEMS BASED MEDICINE PHARMACOLOGY
AND PATIENT MANAGEMENT WITH SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
◉ PA-C versus NP Answer: Physician Assistant
- medical model of education
- scope of training - generalist
- can practice in any specialty
- more exposure to procedures and surgery; often assist in OR
- traditionally trained in team-based, physician-led care
- Single national certification exam (PANCE)
- High lateral mobility
Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing model of education
- specialist
- limited to certified population focus
- minimal surgical training
- greater emphasis on independent practice
,- multiple certification exams
- limited motility
◉ Registered Nurse education and exam Answer: Education:
Nursing diploma, Associate degree of nursing (ADN), or bachelors of
science in nursing (BSN)
examination: NCLEX-RN Licensure
◉ Role of Registered Nurse Answer: Deliver direct bedside care,
administer meds, monitor patients, educate families, and coordinate
nursing care
◉ Registered Nurse PA Collaboration Answer: Communicate Orders,
follow up on patient status, receive critical updates, and coordinate
discharge planning
◉ LPN Answer: Licensed Practical Nurse
NCLEX-PN
◉ RN Versus LPN Answer: Registered Nurses (RNs) have more
extensive education and a broader scope of practice, allowing them
to perform complex patient care, assessments, and create care plans,
while Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have a shorter program,
focus on basic patient care under RN supervision, and assist with
tasks like vital signs and comfort measures. RNs also tend to have
, higher salaries, more leadership roles, and greater career
advancement opportunities.
◉ Medical Assistant (MA) Answer: Education: certificate/diploma or
associate degree; certification optional
Role: Rooming, vitals, history taking, administration support
PA Collaboration: Assist PAs in clinic workflow, lab draws and
scheduling
◉ Patient Care Technician (PCT)/ Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Answer: Education: certificate program
Role: Provide basic bedside care, support RNs and PAs in direct
patient care
PA Collaboration: Rely on PCTs for routine monitoring, reporting
changes in patient condition, assisting with procedures, ensuring
patient comfort and safety
◉ Pharmacist Answer: Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, licensure
exams
Role: Dispense meds, monitor interactions, patient counseling.
Clinical Pharmacists: Able to work in patient or out-patient clinics
and able to establish visits with patient for specialty
PA Collaboration: consult for dosing, interactions, specialty
medication
EXAM 2026 EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY
SYSTEMS BASED MEDICINE PHARMACOLOGY
AND PATIENT MANAGEMENT WITH SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
◉ PA-C versus NP Answer: Physician Assistant
- medical model of education
- scope of training - generalist
- can practice in any specialty
- more exposure to procedures and surgery; often assist in OR
- traditionally trained in team-based, physician-led care
- Single national certification exam (PANCE)
- High lateral mobility
Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing model of education
- specialist
- limited to certified population focus
- minimal surgical training
- greater emphasis on independent practice
,- multiple certification exams
- limited motility
◉ Registered Nurse education and exam Answer: Education:
Nursing diploma, Associate degree of nursing (ADN), or bachelors of
science in nursing (BSN)
examination: NCLEX-RN Licensure
◉ Role of Registered Nurse Answer: Deliver direct bedside care,
administer meds, monitor patients, educate families, and coordinate
nursing care
◉ Registered Nurse PA Collaboration Answer: Communicate Orders,
follow up on patient status, receive critical updates, and coordinate
discharge planning
◉ LPN Answer: Licensed Practical Nurse
NCLEX-PN
◉ RN Versus LPN Answer: Registered Nurses (RNs) have more
extensive education and a broader scope of practice, allowing them
to perform complex patient care, assessments, and create care plans,
while Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have a shorter program,
focus on basic patient care under RN supervision, and assist with
tasks like vital signs and comfort measures. RNs also tend to have
, higher salaries, more leadership roles, and greater career
advancement opportunities.
◉ Medical Assistant (MA) Answer: Education: certificate/diploma or
associate degree; certification optional
Role: Rooming, vitals, history taking, administration support
PA Collaboration: Assist PAs in clinic workflow, lab draws and
scheduling
◉ Patient Care Technician (PCT)/ Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Answer: Education: certificate program
Role: Provide basic bedside care, support RNs and PAs in direct
patient care
PA Collaboration: Rely on PCTs for routine monitoring, reporting
changes in patient condition, assisting with procedures, ensuring
patient comfort and safety
◉ Pharmacist Answer: Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, licensure
exams
Role: Dispense meds, monitor interactions, patient counseling.
Clinical Pharmacists: Able to work in patient or out-patient clinics
and able to establish visits with patient for specialty
PA Collaboration: consult for dosing, interactions, specialty
medication
