Which statement best defines a Physician Assistant?

• A. A nurse practitioner
• B. A resident physician
• C. A licensed health professional that practices medicine as part of a healthcare team, exercises autonomy and prescribes medication and other therapies
• D. A medical coder

Answer: (C)

Physician Assistants are licensed clinicians who practice medicine as part of a healthcare team, exercising clinical autonomy within their scope and prescrib­ing medications and other therapies. They work under the supervision or collaboration of a physician, handling patient evaluations, ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing conditions, creating and implementing treatment plans, and providing patient education. This description best captures the PA role as a defined mid‑level provider with professional autonomy and prescriptive authority, distinct from a nurse practitioner, a resident physician, or a medical coder.