How to write a differential diagnosis essay

Differential Diagnosis Sore Throat — Essay Sample If a patient presents with a complaint of a sore throat, a number of differential diagnoses must be considered before determining a final diagnosis. This paper considers three examples of potential diagnoses for this condition with an explanation of why such a diagnosis might be appropriate if other symptoms apply.

Get Full Essay Get access to this section to get all help you need with your essay and educational issues. Case Study for Meningitis Essay Sample Abstract The chronic inflammation of the meninges is known as chronic meningitis. Among the pathologic agents that can cause this disease is Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A case of tuberculous meningitis is reported here. A year old male presented with recurrent headache accompanied by vomiting and body weakness. Physical examination was unremarkable except for bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and harsh breath sounds on both lung fields.

Lumbar puncture revealed cerebrospinal fluid CSF pleocytosis with predominance of mononuclear cells, low CSF glucose and elevated protein. The patient has a good prognosis provided there is proper compliance to anti-TB medication which has a treatment duration lasting six to twelve months and a combination of 3 or more anti-TB drugs.

A rapid diagnosis is essential for a favorable treatment outcome. A year old male had recurrent headache for over a month.

He tolerated his condition by self-medicating with analgesics which afforded temporary pain relief. However, persistence of severe headache accompanied by vomiting and body weakness prompted the patient to seek medical consult.

Past medical history revealed the patient had been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis but had poor compliance with his anti-TB medication. At the emergency department, the patient was drowsy and disoriented. Chest x-ray revealed bilateral opacities at the hilar and apical area.

A CT scan of the head was indicated which did not reveal any sign of increased intracranial pressure and no evidence of a space-occupying lesion. Routine laboratory test were unremarkable. Patients with chronic meningitis usually present with the following cardinal features: Physical examination should have emphasis on looking for signs of neck pain and rigidity secondary to meningeal irritation, changes in mental status such as drowsiness, inattention, disorientation and memory loss and cranial nerve involvement such as facial weakness, double vision, and visual and hearing loss Braunwald et al.

The clinical assessment and physical examination should lead the physician to request for the most significant diagnostic test in this case which is the lumbar tap. In this test, CSF is drawn and examined for signs of inflammation.

Further CSF analysis such as CSF culture and staining techniques can be helpful in identifying the etiology of the disease whether it was bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoal in origin.

In this case, the presence of acid-fast bacilli from the culture will indicate Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the etiologic agent. These brain imaging studies helped identify if the intracranial pressure was elevated which would have carried a potential risk of brain herniation when lumbar puncture was done Braunwald et al.Myocardial Infarction.

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Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction is the medical term for an event commonly known as a heart attack. It happens when blood stops flowing properly to part of the heart and the heart muscle is injured due to not receiving enough oxygen.

Write a differential of at least five (5) possible diagnosis’s and explain how each may be a possible answer to the clinical presentation above.

Remember, to list the differential in the order of most likely to less likely. Impetigo – a very contagious skin condition that usually presents itself on the face, neck, hands and diaper area which is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Identify at least five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient. To complete: Analyze the subjective portion of the note. diagnosis –Common language –Inform clinical care •Overview of today’s –Differential diagnosis –Comorbidity.

Use of the Manual •DSM-5 uses a single axis system that combines the Write out the name of the disorder: – Ex.: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Making a Differential Diagnosis March 2, Original Assignment Answers Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please read Chapter 1: Differential Diagnosis Step by Step in DSM Handbook of Differential Diagnosis and review the same case study you used to write your Weeks One and Two discussion forums and Week Three Assignment.

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please read Chapter 1: Differential Diagnosis Step by Step in DSM Handbook of Differential Diagnosis and review the same case study you used to write your Weeks One and Two discussion forums and Week Three Assignment.