This one-of-a-kind resource is designed to help Advanced Practice Provider students master the process of conducting a quality differential diagnosis. It contains 95 symptom-based cases that empower readers to practice and hone their clinical skills. Consistently formatted, patient-based case scenarios begin with a common symptom and provide expert guidance to help students work though a diagnosis. Diagnostic reasoning for each clinical scenario is presented step-by-step and each step is explicitly linked to the next. They are now organized by body system and coordinate with related texts for easy reference.
Cases include focused patient history questions and responses, physical exam findings, a differential diagnosis table, a diagnostic examination table, and a summary analyzing the critical thinking process. Symptoms are presented via a systematic case study approach that encompasses chief complaint, past history, physical exam, case study, differential diagnosis, diagnostic exam, and clinical decision making. Boxes comparing clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis further help to illuminate the decision-making process.
New to the Third Edition:
Key Features:
Illuminates decision making with boxes comparing clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis
Jacqueline Rhoads, PhD, APRN-BC, CNL-BC, PMHNP-BE, FAANP, holds three board certifications as an acute care nurse practitioner, adult gerontology nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse leader. She is board eligible as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She has more than 30 years of clinical experience in leadership, critical care, acute care, and primary care nursing. Dr. Rhoads teaches in graduate and baccalaureate programs in acute and primary care and in the family and adult nurse partitioner tracks. She has special interest in advance health assessment and pharmacology. She has authored six major advanced practice textbooks related to advanced health assessment, differential diagnoses, and clinical management of psych/mental health, as well as numerous peer-reviewed articles. She has held research positions such as project director, principal investigator, and project coordinator in three major universities. Her areas of research include investigating posttraumatic stress disorder post-Vietnam, Desert Storm, and disaster-related situations.
Julie Penick, DNP, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, maintains both an active family practice, specializing in complementary and alternative health care modalities, and an education practice where she is full-time lead faculty in an MSN-FNP program at Herzing University. Dr. Penick earned her MSN in adult health nursing in 1992, her post-master’s family nurse practitioner certificate in 1996, her PhD in Energy Medicine in 2003, and her DNP in 2011. Dr. Penick has been involved with numerous research projects and continues to be involved in research projects that involve the application of ‘energy’ as healing approaches – be that nutrient energy, subtle energy techniques, application of magnetic field energy, and application of direct or indirect current. Dr. Penick is active in curriculum writing and conducting continuing professional education for nurses. Dr. Penick has been a certified family nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) for more than 25 years.
Introduction to Differential Diagnosis and Diagnosis of Common Problems
Section I: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
Blurred Vision
Congestion
Ear Discharge
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Eye Discharge
Eye Pain
Fever
Headache
Hoarseness
Mouth Lesions
Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
Section I Supplemental Chapters*
Earache
Red Eye
Runny Nose
Sore Throat
Section II: Pulmonary System
Coughing Up Blood
Shortness of Breath
Wheezing
Section II Supplemental Chapter*
Cough
Section III: Cardiovascular System
Bradycardia
Chest Pain
Diaphoresis
Dizziness
Fainting
Lower Extremity Edema
Palpitations
Weight Gain
Section III Supplemental Chapter*
Weight Loss
Section IV: Gastrointestinal System
Abdominal Pain
Bloated
Dysphagia
Heartburn
Nausea and Vomiting
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal Pain
Vomiting Blood
Section IV Supplemental Chapters*
Constipation
Diarrhea
Iron Deficiency / Pernicious Anemia
Section V: Genitourinary System
Blood in Urine
Erectile Dysfunction
Flank Pain
Incontinence
Nocturia
Painful Urination
Priapism
Scrotal Mass
Scrotal Pain
Section VI: Musculoskeletal System
Foot Pain
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Muscle Pain
Muscle Weakness
Shoulder Pain
Wrist Pain
Section VI Supplemental Chapters*
Ankle Pain
Elbow Pain
Hand Pain
Leg Pain
Low Back Pain
Section VII: Neurological System
Confusion
Delirium
Difficulty Speaking
Diplopia
Memory Loss
Tremors
Unsteady Gait
Section VIII: Gynecological System
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Amenorrhea
Bleeding
Discharge
Lesions
Pain with Intercourse
Pelvic Pain
Vaginal Irritation
Section VIII Supplemental Chapter*
Breast Masses / Lumps
Section IX: Dermatological System
Alopecia
Hives
Pain
Skin Rashes
Skin Ulcers
Vesicular Eruptions
Section IX Supplemental Chapters*
Itchiness in Skin
Skin Lesion
Section X: Endocrine System
Excessive Thirst
Fatigue
Night Sweats
Nipple Discharge
Sleep Disturbances
Urinary Frequency
Section XI: Psychological System
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
