What to expect on Path Boards

As in do they except you to do math? Yes.

http://www.abpath.org/SampleQCalculator.htm

Here is the calculator they give you to use...

 

Yes, a calculator is provided, and yes, you should be prepared to answer a few questions that require some minor math skills. Off the top of my head, you will absolutely be required to calculate fibrinogen dosing, and determine sensitivity and specificity. Other calculations you may be required to perform could include fractional excretion as well as clearance. If you are not a numbers type of person, just study everything else really hard so that you can afford to miss a few questions because these questions probably will not go beyond five questions.

 

I have heard you need to know how to calculate LDL from other data. Other stuff mentioned above. Probably some other stuff too - the clinical compendium has some calculations in it, so does the Henry review book.

 

Here are some of the areas which I remember using math:

1) Blood Bank - RhIg dosing, CCI, chance of finding a particular unit of blood
2) Chemistry - Creatinine clearance, LDL, Henderson-Hasselbach
3) Statistics - Sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive value
4) Lab Management - General accounting

I'm sure there's probably more. Feel free to add to my list.


----- Antony

 

I heard there were things like converting nanograms to micrograms.

 

I hope so.

A couple of other blood bank issues include dosage (factor VIII, Cryo, FFP, Rhogam). I hate those questions, but it's hard to be angry at them since it's kind of important information to know.

I can, however, be very annoyed without prejudice about the TSI micro questions.