Differential Dx Flashcards
Definition
List of all possible conditions or diseases that could be causing the Pt’s Sx
Setting basis
in the ED you start with most life threatening and work your way down from there;
In primary care you start with the most common Dx
DDx Drives what you will do!
- questions in Hx
- PE
- Labs and diagnostics
- information shared with other providers
- Tx plan
Steps of DDx
Acquire data on Pt condition
Id key features - per pos/neg from Hx, PE, labs and Diagnostics, chart review
Develop a problem list
Create DDx
Data and Key Features
CC
Make list of DDx
HPI to help prove or disprove possible Dx
PMH, FH, SH: any pertinent risk factors
PE
Labs and Diagnostics
Review olt charts to see if there is any information to help form Dx
Using DDx and Data
Prioritize DDx as you question to: develop a plan for what parts of the PE to include, and labs/diagnostics that may be pertinent
View records from triage, ems, etc to help develop DDx for current CC:
Include - PMH, Labs and Diagnostics, Contact information
Thought process
Epidemiology, cc, VS –> DDx –> Focused Hx and PE –> problem list –> Refine DDx –> further Hx –> Dx
Problem statement
utilize the problem statement to begin to develop your final DDx
Prob statement gives you the key features in explaining your rationale behind the DDx
This is like Ptx comes in with X presents on Y for Z time…
Key features to to Generate a DDx
Usually between 3-5 for a CC
However, there may be more than one problem with a Pt and you will need multiple sets of DDx; for example the Pt is Dx with sepsis, but what is causing the sepsis
Utilize the Key Sx from the Hx, and PE, and labs and Diagnostics
List in order of most likely to least likely; include what factors led you to your decision.
This lets anyone who follows you see what your thought process was and why you did what you did.
