Differential Diagnoses Flashcards
1
Q
Chest pain
10
A
- Angina
- ACS/unstable angina
- GORD
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumothorax
- Pneumonia
- Pericarditis
- Aortic dissection
- Pancreatitis
- Musculoskeletal
2
Q
Palpitations
7 categories
A
- CARDIAC - Atrial (AF, WPW, sick sinus syndrome, ectopic beats), Ventricular (VT, VF), Sinus tachycardia
- METABOLIC - hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, hypo/hyperCa, hypo/hyperK
- DRUGS - alcohol, amphetamines, anticholinergic, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, nitrates
- STRUCTURAL ABN. - left heart failure, aortic aneurysm, cardiomegaly, congenital heart disease (ASD, PDA, VSD), mitral prolapse, pericarditis, PE
- HIGH CARDIAC OUTPUT - anaemia, fever, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis
- PSYCHOGENIC - panic attacks, anxiety disorders, depression, phobia
- Other - emotional distress, hyperventilation, migraine, PMS
3
Q
Intermittent Claudication
5 + features
A
- INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION
Calf/buttock/thigh pain worse on exertion and relieved by rest.
Claudication distance.
Associated with ED. - OA HIP
Hip pain radiating to thigh or buttock.
Worse on weight bearing and can occur at rest (less intensity) or certain positions.
O/E: antalgic gait, reduced ROM] at hip joint - LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY
Hx of back pain, burning sensation back of leg.
Worse on bending/carrying.
O/E: reduced SLR, altered sensation in lower leg, reduced ankle reflexes - CHRONIC COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
Tight bursting pain in the calf muscle (common in athletes)
Starts after exercise and relief on elevation of leg.
O/E: ABPI normal - SPINAL STENOSIS
May present with slowly worsening back pain. Worse on exercise but patient has to sit down for few minutes to relieve the pain.
May also have assoc numbness/tingling.
O/E: pain reduced on spinal flex ion forwards. No weakness
4
Q
Varicose Veins
3 + features
A
- VARICOSE VEINS
Tortuous, unpleasant, along saphenous distribution
Aching, heaviness
Worse at end of the day, worse on standing; improved with rest & elevation
O/E: dilated veins in long/short saphenous vein distribution, pedal oedema, skin changes - SAPHENA VARIX
Enlarged saphenous vein at saphenous-femoral junction
O/E: cough impulse, lump in groin, bluish tinge, disappears on lying down. May appear with varicose veins - THROMBOPHLEBITIS
Superficial inflammation of a vein
May cause pain, redness, swelling
O/E: tender and hard vein
5
Q
Cough
6 + questions
A
- PNEUMONIA
Any phlegm/sputum? Colour (white, grey, yellow)?
Any fever/sweats?
2. PE Did it come on suddenly? SOB or coughing up any blood? Any leg pain? Recent flight?
- GORD
Get any heartburn?
Worse if you lie flat?
Ever get excessive saliva (water brash) or acidic taste in your mouth (acid brash)? - ASTHMA
Worse in morning or late at night?
Assoc with wheeze?
Do you suffer from hay fever or eczema? - TB
Had any night sweats?
Lived abroad for prolonged period?
Cough up any blood? - LUNG CANCER
Noticed any hoarseness to voice?
Coughed up any blood? How much?
6
Q
SOB
6 + questions
A
- HEART FAILURE
Worse when you lie down (orthopnoea)?
It ever wake you up in the middle of the night (PND)?
Any swelling of your legs?
How many pillows do you sleep on? Has this changed recently? - PNEUMONIA
Bring up phlegm/sputum? Colour (white, grey, yellow, green)?
Any fever/sweats? - PE
Come on suddenly?
Coughing up any blood?
Leg pain? - ASTHMA
Worse in morning or late at night?
Assoc with wheeze?
Suffer from hay fever/eczema? - PANIC ATTACK
Experience any palpitations, sweaty palms or pins and needles around lips?
Describe yourself as an anxious person? - CARDIAC
Did you experience your heart beating heavier of faster when the breathlessness started?
7
Q
Asthma
4
A
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- PE
- GORD
8
Q
COPD
4
A
- COPD
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Heart failure
9
Q
Abdo pain
9 + questions
A
1. PEPTIC ULCER Pain related to meals? Drinking milk make it better? Find spicy foods make it worse? Any black/tarry stools? Vomited up any blood?
- PANCREATITIS
Pain move to back?
Made worse by drinking alcohol or better if you lean forwards?
3. GASTROENTERITIS Eaten out recently? Any diarrhoea/vomiting? Cramping abdominal pains? Been abroad?
- GALLSTONES
Pain in right upper part of tummy?
Go to your shoulder?
Made worse after fatty foods? - APPENDICITIS
Pain shifted from middle tummy to lower right side?
Worse on walking or moving?
Fever/diarrhoea?
6. DIVERTICULITIS Cramping pain lower left side? Feel bloated? Any fever or blood in your stools? Constipation/diarrhoea?
- INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION
Opened bowel recently or passed any wind? - RENAL COLIC
Experienced dull ache?
Does it go from back to groin?
How bad is the pain? - ECTOPIC
Missed your period recently?
Any PV bleeding?
10
Q
Dyspepsia
5 + questions
A
1. GORD Pain - burning feeling? Go to your throat? Acidic taste or excessive saliva? Worse at night?
- PEPTIC ULCER
Pain go to back?
Related to meals?
Milk make it better? Find spicy food make it worse? - STOMACH CANCER
Loss of appetite/weight recently?
Vomiting blood or black stools recently?
Difficulty swallowing? - BILIARY
Pain in right upper tummy? Go to shoulder?
Made worse after fatty foods?
Fever? - CARDIAC
Pressure on your chest?
Symptoms go to left arm?
Come on at rest or exercise?
11
Q
Obesity
3
A
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- PCOS
12
Q
Diarrhoea
11 + questions
A
1. FOOD POISON Eaten out recently? Eat any uncooked foods? Anyone else unwell? Vomited?
- TRAVEL
Abroad recently?
Visit a farm?
3. IBD Mucus or blood in stool? Ulcers in the mouth? Hay fever or weight loss? Any eye symptoms?
- IBS
Any stress?
Feel bloated?
Pain better with bowel motions? - COELIAC
Stool difficult to flush away (steatorrhoea)?
Related to certain foods (gluten)?
Weight loss?
6. CANCER Recent change in bowel habits (>50yo)? Weight loss? Loss of appetite? Blood in stool?
- PANCREATITIS
Problems flushing away stool?
Upper tummy pain?
Drink alcohol? - HYPERTHYROID
Feel tired all the time?
Always feel hot and sweaty? - APPENDICITIS
Pain shifted from middle of your tummy to lower right side?
Worse on walking or moving? - DIVERTICULITIS
Any cramping pain on lower left side of tummy?
Feel bloated?
Fevers or noted blood in stool? - OVERFLOW
Becoming more constipated before diarrhoea started?
Sometimes have no control over it?
Soil your underwear?
13
Q
Travel
7
A
- Malaria
- Travellers diarrhoea
- Giardiasis
- Cholera
- Typhoid
- Dengue fever
7 Hepatitis A
14
Q
Dysphagia
8 + questions
A
- GORD
Burning feeling in chest? Does it go to your throat?
Acidic taste or too much saliva in your mouth?
Worse at night? - ACHALASIA
Difficult swallowing both solids and liquids?
Bring up food?
Coughing fits at night when trying to sleep?
3. PHARYNGEAL POUCH Noticed bulge in side of neck? First mouth full easy to eat then it gets progressively more difficult to swallow? Bring up food? Noticed any bad breath?
- GLOBUS PHARYNGEUS
Feel as if there is a lump in the throat? Otherwise have no problems swallowing?
Suffer from stress/anxiety? - OESOPHAGEAL CANCER
Had to swallow solids (meals) initially, then now affecting liquids (drinks) as well?
Lost any weight?
Discomfort when you swallow? - BULBAR PALSY
Harder to swallow at the beginning rather than at the end? - CVA
Have slurred speech?
Weakness of arms or legs?
Problems with vision? - CREST
Tightening or thickening of skin of hands or feet?
Notice your hands change colour from white to blue or red?
15
Q
PR bleeding
7 + questions
A
- PEPTIC ULCER
Burning pain? Drinking milk make it better? Black tarry stools? Vomited up any blood? - DYSENTERY
Eaten out recently? D/V? Cramping abdo pains? Recently travelled abroad? - COLON CANCER
Change in bowel habits? Weight loss? Blood mixed with stool? Tenesmus? - ANAL FISSURE
Soreness in back passage particularly when wiping? - PILES
Strain when you open your bowels? Blood bright red on tissue paper? Itchy back passage? Been constipated? - IBD
Pass mucus with stool? Abdo pain or fevers with it? Ulcers in mouth or anus? - DIVERTICULITIS
Cramping pain on lower left side of tummy? Feel bloated? Any fevers?