PANCE: Buzz Words

When studying for the PANCE it is difficult to "know it all" - sometimes you need some helpful hints to jog your memory or lead you in the direction of a likely answer....  The following list contains some word association stuff that may help for which organisms in pneumonia are most common in particular populations. Word association is no substitute for knowing and understanding the clinical scenario, but it may help you narrow down the options.

I will put a list here... quiz yourself (see below for answers):

Which pneumonia organisms would you match with the following patient populations or buzz words?

1. ETOH 
2. COPD
3. Air conditioners/cooling systems
4. Cystic fibrosis
5. Asplenic
6. College
7. Leukemia
8. Kids < 1 yo
9. Kids > 2 yo

 Answers:

1. ETOH = Klebsiella
2. COPD = Haemophilus influenza (H.flu)
3. Air conditioners/cooling systems = Legionella
4. Cystic fibrosis = Pseudomonas
5. Asplenic = encapsulated organisms (strep pneumo/H.flu)
6. College = mycoplasm pneumo or chlamydia pneumo (longer prodrome, sore throat, hoarseness)
7. Leukemia = fungus
8. Kids < 1 yo = RSV
9. Kids > 2 yo = parainfluenza virus