Family Medicine EOR:
ENOT/Ophthalmology (Smarty PANCE)
3 WGU Academic Success Hub: OA
Preparation, PA Writing Strategies,
Competency-Based Learning Support &
Advanced Study Framework
Description
The WGU Academic Success Hub is a
comprehensive and strategically designed
study resource created specifically for
students at Western Governors University
(WGU) who want to improve academic
performance, strengthen competency
mastery, and approach assessments with
greater confidence and efficiency. Built
around WGU’s unique competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on
helping students understand exactly how to
,prepare for both Objective Assessments (OA)
and Performance Assessments (PA) while
developing stronger study habits, analytical
thinking skills, and long-term academic
strategies.
Unlike traditional study guides that focus
only on memorization or generic review
content, this resource is designed to help
students actively engage with material, apply
concepts in assessment-based scenarios, and
develop a more organized and effective
approach to learning. It combines practice-
based revision, competency-focused learning
techniques, structured study methods, and
detailed guidance to create a complete
academic support system that can be applied
across multiple WGU courses and programs.
This guide is especially valuable for students
navigating WGU’s self-paced learning
,environment, where success depends heavily
on organization, consistency, critical
thinking, and the ability to demonstrate
understanding effectively.
Acute vs. chronic sinusitis?
● Acute sinusitis: symptoms for < 4 weeks duration
● Chronic sinusitis: symptoms for > 12 consecutive weeks
● The disease is subacute when symptomatic for 4-12 weeks
Sign and symptoms of acute sinusitis?
- Headache
- Purulent sputum
- Fever
- Malaise
- Tenderness to palpation over sinus(es)
- Opacification w/ transillumination
MC fungal cause of chronic sinusitis?
Aspergillus
MC bacterial cause of chronic sinusitis?
Staph aureus
Diagnostic test of choice for sinusitis?
Limited coronal CT scan can be useful in recurrent infection or failure to respond to medical
therapy. Plainview X-ray (waters view) has fallen out of favor due to poor sensitivity
When to give antibiotics for acute sinusitis?
> 10 -14 days or severely ill. Antibiotics can shorten time to cure but only in 5 to 11 people per
100 and most improve without antimicrobial therapy.
First line antibiotics for acute sinusitis?
The first-line antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanate, with doxycycline or
respiratory fluoroquinolones as alternatives. Treat for 5 to 7 days in adults if uncomplicated
, bacterial rhinosinusitis (IDSA low-moderate-quality evidence). Treat for 10 to 14 days in children
if uncomplicated bacterial rhinosinusitis (IDSA low-moderate-quality evidence).
Second-line therapy for acute sinusitis (for those who fail to improve within 7 days)?
Second-line therapy (for those who fail to improve within 7 days) includes high-dose
Augmentin (2 g BID x 7 days), Moxifloxacin, Levofloxacin, or a third-generation cephalosporin
plus clindamycin.
Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)?
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) lasts 12 weeks or longer, despite attempts at medical management.
Therapy is typically given for at least three weeks and may be extended for up to ten weeks in
refractory cases. Augmentin or clindamycin are reasonable treatment options
Viral rhinitis PE signs?
Erythematous turbinate's
Allergic rhinitis PE signs?
Patients with allergic rhinitis will present with boggy turbinates, allergic shiners (edematous,
dark circles under eyes), and allergic salute
What is an allergic salute?
The transverse line on the nose which is a feature of chronic allergies - formed when a child
chronically pushes the nose up and back to relieve itching and free swollen turbinates
Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis can almost always be diagnosed based on history alone. Diagnostic testing is
not routinely needed unless patients do not improve when treated empirically; for such
patients, skin tests or an allergen-specific serum IgE test is done.
Diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis?
Nonallergic perennial rhinitis is usually also diagnosed based on history. Lack of clinical
response to treatment for assumed allergic rhinitis and negative results on skin tests and/or an
allergen-specific serum IgE test also suggests a nonallergic cause
Treatments for allergic rhinitis?
Treatment for allergic rhinitis includes the avoidance of any known allergens and use
of antihistamines, cromolyn sodium, nasal or systemic corticosteroids, nasal saline drops or
washes, and immunotherapy
ENOT/Ophthalmology (Smarty PANCE)
3 WGU Academic Success Hub: OA
Preparation, PA Writing Strategies,
Competency-Based Learning Support &
Advanced Study Framework
Description
The WGU Academic Success Hub is a
comprehensive and strategically designed
study resource created specifically for
students at Western Governors University
(WGU) who want to improve academic
performance, strengthen competency
mastery, and approach assessments with
greater confidence and efficiency. Built
around WGU’s unique competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on
helping students understand exactly how to
,prepare for both Objective Assessments (OA)
and Performance Assessments (PA) while
developing stronger study habits, analytical
thinking skills, and long-term academic
strategies.
Unlike traditional study guides that focus
only on memorization or generic review
content, this resource is designed to help
students actively engage with material, apply
concepts in assessment-based scenarios, and
develop a more organized and effective
approach to learning. It combines practice-
based revision, competency-focused learning
techniques, structured study methods, and
detailed guidance to create a complete
academic support system that can be applied
across multiple WGU courses and programs.
This guide is especially valuable for students
navigating WGU’s self-paced learning
,environment, where success depends heavily
on organization, consistency, critical
thinking, and the ability to demonstrate
understanding effectively.
Acute vs. chronic sinusitis?
● Acute sinusitis: symptoms for < 4 weeks duration
● Chronic sinusitis: symptoms for > 12 consecutive weeks
● The disease is subacute when symptomatic for 4-12 weeks
Sign and symptoms of acute sinusitis?
- Headache
- Purulent sputum
- Fever
- Malaise
- Tenderness to palpation over sinus(es)
- Opacification w/ transillumination
MC fungal cause of chronic sinusitis?
Aspergillus
MC bacterial cause of chronic sinusitis?
Staph aureus
Diagnostic test of choice for sinusitis?
Limited coronal CT scan can be useful in recurrent infection or failure to respond to medical
therapy. Plainview X-ray (waters view) has fallen out of favor due to poor sensitivity
When to give antibiotics for acute sinusitis?
> 10 -14 days or severely ill. Antibiotics can shorten time to cure but only in 5 to 11 people per
100 and most improve without antimicrobial therapy.
First line antibiotics for acute sinusitis?
The first-line antibiotic is amoxicillin/clavulanate, with doxycycline or
respiratory fluoroquinolones as alternatives. Treat for 5 to 7 days in adults if uncomplicated
, bacterial rhinosinusitis (IDSA low-moderate-quality evidence). Treat for 10 to 14 days in children
if uncomplicated bacterial rhinosinusitis (IDSA low-moderate-quality evidence).
Second-line therapy for acute sinusitis (for those who fail to improve within 7 days)?
Second-line therapy (for those who fail to improve within 7 days) includes high-dose
Augmentin (2 g BID x 7 days), Moxifloxacin, Levofloxacin, or a third-generation cephalosporin
plus clindamycin.
Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)?
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) lasts 12 weeks or longer, despite attempts at medical management.
Therapy is typically given for at least three weeks and may be extended for up to ten weeks in
refractory cases. Augmentin or clindamycin are reasonable treatment options
Viral rhinitis PE signs?
Erythematous turbinate's
Allergic rhinitis PE signs?
Patients with allergic rhinitis will present with boggy turbinates, allergic shiners (edematous,
dark circles under eyes), and allergic salute
What is an allergic salute?
The transverse line on the nose which is a feature of chronic allergies - formed when a child
chronically pushes the nose up and back to relieve itching and free swollen turbinates
Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis can almost always be diagnosed based on history alone. Diagnostic testing is
not routinely needed unless patients do not improve when treated empirically; for such
patients, skin tests or an allergen-specific serum IgE test is done.
Diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis?
Nonallergic perennial rhinitis is usually also diagnosed based on history. Lack of clinical
response to treatment for assumed allergic rhinitis and negative results on skin tests and/or an
allergen-specific serum IgE test also suggests a nonallergic cause
Treatments for allergic rhinitis?
Treatment for allergic rhinitis includes the avoidance of any known allergens and use
of antihistamines, cromolyn sodium, nasal or systemic corticosteroids, nasal saline drops or
washes, and immunotherapy
