Define a Physician Assistant.

• A. PAs diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient's principal healthcare provider
• B. PAs are nurse assistants with limited prescribing rights
• C. PAs replace physicians in all settings
• D. PAs perform only clerical duties

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a Physician Assistant is a clinician who provides medical care in collaboration with a physician. They evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses, and develop and manage treatment plans. They can order and interpret tests, adjust therapies, and in most places have the authority to prescribe medications. PAs often act as the patient’s primary healthcare provider, especially in primary care or specialty clinics, working within a team and under supervision or collaboration with physicians as required by law. This reflects the real scope of practice, unlike options that describe PAs as nurse assistants with limited prescribing rights, as physicians who replace doctors in all settings, or as performing only clerical duties.