Clinical Reasoning

Question 1

An effective problem list. . .

Answer 1

uses precise language, is updated & modified over time; lists problems in order of priority; and makes associations between problems

Question 2

Ways of grouping problems or information for clinical reasoning

Answer 2

Lumping and splitting

Question 3

A Ddx base on splitting

Answer 3

3-5 possible explanations for cough

3-5 possible explanations for fever

3-5 possible explanations for lymphadenopathy

Question 4

A Ddx base on lumping

Answer 4

3-5 possible explanations for cough, fever, and lymphadenopathy

Question 5

As you consider your differential diagnoses, possibilities can often be categorized into three large buckets of thought:

Answer 5

1. Likely diagnoses – diagnoses most likely to explain your patient’s condition, these also tend to be prevalent conditions.
2. “Must-not-miss” diagnoses –diagnoses that could be life-threatening, high-stakes. You should think about them even if they are less prevalent overall or less likely with your patient.
3. The Zebras - Highly uncommon diagnoses that tend to be memorable. Be mindful of the (low) prevalence rate when prioritizing your differential.

Question 6

“A/P”

Answer 6

Assessment and Plan

Question 7

VINDICATE

Answer 7

Vascular

Infectious

Neoplastic

Degenerative

Iatrogenic

Congenital

Autoimmune

Traumatic

Endocrine/metabolic

Question 8

Critical reasoning process diagram

Answer 8

Question 9

Biases relevant to POM

Answer 9

• Availability bias
• Anchoring bias
• Confirmation bias
• Premature closure