NR576 Midterm Study Guide for Weeks 1-4

If you understand that clinical reasoning and decision-making involve examining the patient's presentation, clinical data, and diagnostic test results to distinguish one disease from another and arrive at the correct diagnosis. In that case, you will be successful on the midterm exam.

Week 1: Foundations in Differential Diagnosis Formulation

• Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making
• History of Present Illness (HPI)
• Sensitivity
• Specificity
• Pretest Probability

Week 2: Skin Rashes and Pain, Nail Changes

• Be able to differentiate the following rashes from each other:
• Be able to differentiate skin cancer/lesions from each other:
• Acne Vulgaris
• Furuncle
• Epidermoid Cyst
• Sialadenitis
• Treatment Onychomycosis

Week 3: Ear Pain, Sore Throat and Nasal Drainage, Changes in Hearing

• Differentiate hearing loss
• Ear Pain
• Meniere’s Disease (triad symptoms)
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Allergic Bacterial Rhinosinusitis (ABRS)
• Acute Viral Rhinosinusitis (AVRS)
• Pharyngitis vs. Strep Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)

Week 4: Eye Discharge and Pain, Changes in Vision

• Differentiate Eye Drainage/Discharge
• Differentiate Eye Pain/Infectious Processes
• Differentiate Changes in Vision

Directions:

Worksheet for Studying for the Midterm Exam

For each condition, fill in:

1. risks associated with the condition (i.e., swimming and otitis externa)
2. significant subjective and objective findings, especially those unique to the condition (i.e., otitis media and ear pain)
3. the best diagnostic test used to confirm or diagnose
4. first-line treatment with a second-line option for the condition
5. most important patient education regarding the treatment (answers should follow EBM guidelines)