CAQ-Peds case studies
CAQ-Peds · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) is a specialty credential offered through NCCPA, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. NCCPA describes the CAQ as a way for PAs to "show your advanced expertise in your specialty," and it lists "Earn Specialty Certificates" as a distinct path alongside becoming certified and maintaining certification. The credential is aimed at PAs who are already Board Certified and who want documented recognition of focused, advanced practice in a specialty area such as pediatrics. NCCPA states that its certification programs reflect standards for clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning, other medical skills, and professional behaviors required both at entry into practice and throughout PAs' careers. The CAQ-Peds case studies are 5 cases and about 2,975 words.
1Fever in a 21-Day-Old Infant: When 'Well-Appearing' Is Not Reassuring
A 21-day-old former 38-week infant is brought to the emergency department at 02:00 with a rectal temperature of 38.2°C taken at home one hour earlier. The infant is formula-fed, feeding at baseline, and has had two wet diapers in the last 6 hours.
618 words, about 3 min2Adolescent Pregnancy, Confidentiality, and Safety Assessment
A 15-year-old girl presents to the emergency department with 2 days of lower abdominal pain and vomiting. She is hemodynamically stable.
608 words, about 3 min3Spiral Femur Fracture in a 14-Month-Old: Recognizing and Responding to Possible Abuse
A 14-month-old boy is brought to urgent care by his mother for right leg pain and refusal to walk. He is not yet walking independently but cruises.
602 words, about 3 min4New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in DKA: Fluids, Insulin, and Cerebral Edema Risk
A 9-year-old boy with a 3-week history of polyuria and weight loss is brought to the emergency department with vomiting and lethargy. He is awake but tired.
568 words, about 3 min5Jaundice at 36 Hours: Phototherapy, Workup, and Feeding Support
A 36-hour-old breastfed infant is brought to the newborn clinic for a weight check. He was born at 38 weeks and 2 days by spontaneous vaginal delivery, birth weight 3.4 kg, and now weighs 3.1 kg, an 8.8% loss.
579 words, about 3 min