What is a differential diagnosis and how is it linked to the chief complaint? How do we use the differential diagnosis to guide history taking and planning the assessment?

Choose one of Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages. Think about the approximate ages of patients at each stage and the complete physical assessment for your chosen stage. How will you conduct the assessment? What psychosocial developments do you need to keep in mind? What additional testing and screenings will you need to perform? Discuss two abnormalities found […]

Unfortunately, mental illness is frequently in the news. Reflect on one recent news item that discusses mental illness. What points did the media correctly identify about the disease? What points did the media miss or discuss correctly? How does media coverage of mental illness add to the stigma of the disease? How does it impact […]

In the assigned article, you read about ovarian teratomas. This diagnosis, although rare, can cause patients to present with psychiatric symptoms. However, if not discovered, the patient can end up in respiratory arrest and/or cardiac arrest on the psychiatric unit. Think back over your experience to a time when a misdiagnosis may have had serious […]

When a patient presents to a primary care provider with a complaint of abdominal pain, there are a number of possibilities that must be considered. Discuss the first three steps you would complete in assessing a patient with this complaint. Then, discuss at least two differential diagnoses for a patient with abdominal pain. How would […]

When a patient presents to a primary care provider with a complaint of chest pain, there are a number of possibilities that must be considered. Discuss the first three steps you would complete in assessing a patient with this complaint. Then, discuss at least two differential diagnoses for a patient with chest pain. How would […]

In your professional opinion, what is the difference between chronic and acute pain? How is the assessment for each type of pain different? What must you keep in mind when assessing acute pain? What must you keep in mind when assessing chronic pain?  Reflect upon a time when you assessed a patient in pain. What […]

Complete a comprehensive risk assessment for a friend or family member. Please do not use the patient’s name or identifiers. Discuss your findings. Then, reflect on your interview and discuss which parts went well and which parts you will change the next time you complete a risk assessment.

Kathy is a 12-year-old female patient who presents to your clinic with a new diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. What education regarding diet and supplements should you provide the patient and her parents? What other anticipatory guidance information is necessary for this patient? Discuss your plan for treatment and the clinical guidelines you would use […]

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Paper   Although adolescents age 15–24 account for nearly half of the 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014), a diagnosis of an STD is a common presentation with patients of all ages in the primary care setting. For many patients, a […]