Differentials for Pathologies Flashcards

1
Q

Epidural Hematoma

Top 5

A

Did you hit your head in the temporal region?

Do you have focal pain/a headache in the temporal region?

Have you been vomiting?

Did your symptoms happen within the past few hours (suddenly)?

Did you lose consciousness?

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2
Q

Subdural Hematoma

Top 5

A

Did you fall or hit your head at all?

Do you have a headache that just keeps getting worse?

Did you lose consciousness?

Did you take any antiplatelets/anti-clotting medications (Asprin + heparin)?

Do you have any difficulty speaking or seeing?

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3
Q

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Top 5

Located at bifurcations

45% younger than 55 y/o

Can affect children the elderly & alcoholics

A

Are you experiencing a THUNDER CLAP headache?

Did the symptoms come on suddenly? (min-hours-days)

Do you have nuchal rigitidy? (up and down head movement)

Do you have a past/family history of brain aneurysms?

Check/ask about photophobia?

Projectile vomiting?

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4
Q

Intraparenchymal/Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Top 5

anterior portion of the temporal lobes & the posterior portion of the frontal lobes

older men (68)

A

Do you have a headache in a sepcific spot?

Did you fall or hit your head recently?

Does you have a history of hypertension or AVM?

Were you straining yourself?

Are you on any anticoagulant/antiplatlet medications (heprin +aspirin)

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5
Q

Basal Skull Fracture

Top 5

A

Was there a high energy M.O.I involved?

Are you losing consciousness/did you?

Do I see racoon eyes?

Do I see/feel any skull deformeties?

Do I see any blood/csf coming from the nose or ears?

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6
Q

Hydrocephalus

Top 5

A

Are you diagnosed with Hydrocephalus?

Do you have a shunt?

Do I see a pee rash - maculopapular rash?

Do you have a headache/migraine that hurts more when you stand?

Do you need to go to the bathroom a lot?

Do I see any open wounds or infections?

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7
Q

Meningitis

Top 5

A

Check/ask about the photophobia (bright light sensitivity)

Check/ask about the presence of a stiff neck and/or nuchal rigidity.

Ask the patient if they’ve had any recent injuries/open wounds – assess the area.

Were you vaccinated against meningitis as a child?

Do you have a rash? (Red/Purple blotches)

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8
Q

Alzheimer’s Disease

Top 5

A

Everyday tasks become increasingly difficult such as driving, paying bills, cooking

They may ask or repeat the same phrase over and over.

They may get lost easily

find simple tasks confusing

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9
Q

Parkinson’s Disease

Top 5

A

Do you have Parkinson’s Disease?

Do you take any parkinson medications like dopamine?

Do you have tremors - maybe have them hold something?

Do you have difficulty with balance?

Have you noticed any of your normal movements slowing down like walking or putting clothes on?

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10
Q

Multiple Sclerosis

Top 5

A

Do they have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or autoimmune disorders?

Has there been a recent onset of muscle weakness or inability to function normally?

Are you having vision problems (blurred, double, painful)?

Are you experiencing global burning/shooting pain sensations?

Are you having trouble concentrating recently?

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11
Q

Huntington’s Chorea

Top 5

A

Have you been diagnosed with huntington’s?

Does your family have a hx of HDC?

Do you often have uncontrolled movements like jerks/twitch/full reflex?

Do you have trouble walking? Are you felling at all?

Look for dystonia (stuck in twitch posture)

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12
Q

Myasthenia Gravis

Top 5

A

Have you been diagnosed with MG?

Have you had any muscle weakness recently?

I’m looking for ptosis - drooping of the eye(s)

I’m looking for dysarthria - imparied speech

Do you have difficulty swallowing or breathing?

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13
Q

Epilepsy - Absence

Top 5

A

Do they have a diagnosis of absent seizures?

Do I notice lip smacking/eye fluttering?

How long does it last? - 5-30sec

Do you lose conciousness? -no just zone out

How often does this occur? - 15-100x

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14
Q

Epilepsy - Tonic Clonic

Top 5

A

Do you have a diagnosis?

Do I see incontinence?

Did you have a post-ictal phase - 5min to several hours of confusion?

Did you have an aura - few sec long?

Did you lose consciousness?

Do they experience tonic (frozen) phase of 5-15sec and clonic phase of 30sec (the twitching)?

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15
Q

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Top 5

A

Do you have a diagnosis?

Do you experience sudden and severe headaches?

Have you ever had a seizure or lost consciousness before?

Do you have numbness or tingling in certain areas of your body?

Do you have a cardiac hx meaning have you ever had surgeries on your heart before?

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16
Q

Ischemic Thrombotic Stroke

Top 5

A

Have you had a TIA before?

Do you have a headache?

Did your symptoms come on gradually?

Have you had a stroke within the last 5y?

Do you have a hx of plque buildup in your ateries - atherosclerosis

17
Q

Ischemic Embolic Stroke

Top 5

A

Do you have atrial fibrillation?

Do you have cardiovascular disease? (hypertension/hypercholesterolemia)

Do you take any blood pressure medications? (Atenolol)

Do you have a headache?

Did your pain/symptoms come on suddenly (within sec-min)?

18
Q

Spinal Cord Injury

Top 5

A

Was the patient involved in a significant MVC?

Does the patient have any spinal cord deformities? (tearing, shot, sliced)

Does the patient have sensation in their entire body?

Dose the patient have full body motor ability?

Do you feel extreme pressure in your head/neck/back?