The Complete Curriculum for Physician Assistant Students — Four-Tier Learning Pathway
Audience: Physician Assistant students in the University of Dubuque PA (UDPA) program. Content is also cross-applicable to other PA programs, medical students, and residents. For the audience-specific DPT specialty track, see DPT Nephrology Curriculum. For the comprehensive Resource Integration Map across every topic and modality, see Full Curriculum Integration Map.
Progressive depth from quick-start foundations through real-world complexity. Work through the tiers in order, or enter wherever your prior knowledge lands you.
Quick-start foundations. Renal anatomy, physiology, laboratory, urinalysis, imaging, then AKI, CKD, electrolytes, and more. Read first to build your knowledge base.
Deeper dive with calculators, progressive-disclosure content, and 2025 guideline updates. Apply what the Primer covers.
Real-world complexity. Nuanced scenarios, advanced diagnostics, evidence-based practice. Best for senior PA students and residents.
Printable reference guides across 18 topic folders — perfect for clinical rotation carry.
30 enhanced cases with 350+ integrated questions and progressive disclosure — the primary case-based learning on the site.
Progressive disclosure cases covering AKI, CKD, electrolytes, glomerular, hypertension, and cardiorenal scenarios.
SLE vs infective endocarditis · HFpEF with cardiac amyloidosis · the preserved-EF trap. Diagnostic reasoning at the senior level.
Audio companion to the Primer covering hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, cardiorenal, dialysis, and acid-base. Learning on the go.
Three pillars unlock 95% of nephrology. Start here.
BMP, electrolytes, and kidney function tests — the everyday nephrology chart.
The 12 major topic areas of the Lecture Series. Each links to the topic landing page with its deeper modules, calculators, and cases.
KDIGO staging, emergency recognition, drug-induced AKI.
KDIGO staging, five-pillars management, protein restriction rethink.
The master skeleton keys — 13 sub-modules.
2025 AHA/ACC guidelines — the most comprehensive module (30+ pages).
Nephritic/nephrotic, RPGN emergency, serological evaluation.
Heart-kidney integrated syndrome. Four-pillar GDMT.
The ultimate skeleton key. 8 sub-modules.
Bosniak classification, RCC staging, ADPKD.
Andy's "how I approach difficult and conflicting priorities" series — 79 reviews across 19 topics. For senior PA students who want beyond-curriculum depth.
ADVOR trial data, 5 pharmacologic targets, escalation framework from monotherapy to quadruple blockade.
Forrester profiles, PH classification, restrictive vs constrictive, cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM).
RTA types I–IV, ABG vs VBG, SGLT2 euglycemic DKA, IV bicarb evidence.
ICI nephrotoxicity, ICI pathology, HLH.
AL amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, cardiac diagnosis.
HRS-AKI, ammonia/dialysis, hepatopulmonary syndrome.
IgA nephropathy, MPGN, anti-GBM, lupus nephritis, and more.
CKD-MBD, protein restriction, GFR estimation.
Cardiorenal review deep dives.
A learning sequence for PA students on a nephrology rotation. Adjust the pace to your program's length.
Renal anatomy, physiology, and the three Skeleton Key pillars.
The emergencies PA students face first.
Outpatient chronic care — the bulk of nephrology practice.
Putting it together with advanced reasoning.
Curated search across 500+ high-impact journals, organized by specialty. Results ranked by impact factor.
PowerPoint and Gamma slides complementing the Primer and Lecture Series.
Cutting-edge AI applications in nephrology.
The comprehensive resource alignment across every topic and modality.
Recent site updates, new modules, and guideline refreshes.
Medical Associates staff training — 16 case-based questions on 2025 AHA/ACC protocols.
Other ways to enter the curriculum:
High-yield focused reading for students rotating with Andy. Primer review + Skeleton Key + UA + AKI + cardiorenal + edema + podcasts.
Audience-scoped nephrology for Doctor of Physical Therapy students — 5 lectures, 6 handouts, 5 cases.
Comprehensive four-tier view of every topic across every teaching modality.