Please Reply to the following 2 Discussion posts:
Requirement
APA format with intext citation
Word count minimum of 150 words per post
References at least one high-level scholarly reference per post within the last 5 years in APA format.
Plagiarism free.
Turnitin receipt.
DISCUSSION POST # 1 Reesha
Please Reply to the following 2 Discussion posts:
Usually primary providers go through a certain process of coming to a conclusive diagnosis. It requires essential key components that must be analyzed or assessed. Health care providers may come up with what is known as differential diagnosis. Which includes the process of differentiating between two or more conditions which share similar signs or symptoms. So if a patient is coming in with a variety of signs and symptoms, providers will come up with a type of list that makes up these differential diagnoses that require further assessment to be ruled out. In hopes of coming to a more definitive diagnosis. “The diagnostic process involves identifying or determining the etiology of a disease or condition through evaluation of patient history, physical examination, and review of laboratory data or diagnostic imaging; and the subsequent descriptive title of that finding” (Cook & Decary, 2019). As stated, there are three differential diagnoses processes involved in the making of differential diagnosis. The first being revising the patient’s history to assess what risk factors that may be applicable to them. Looking at their history will give a lot of information on their health status, as well provide hints on what could be causing their chief complaint. Next, is physical assessment which can be self explanatory, you as the provider will first hand examine the patient assessing any noticeable deviations. The clinical manifestation will further provide insight to the investigation process of diagnosing accurately. Finally after running any tests or diagnostic markers such as labs, imaging and so on to prove what providers may be inclined to think is the diagnosis. Primary care providers face the challenge of false leads when interpreting diagnostic test results. “All tests, clinical examination or imaging, have strengths and weaknesses. Flaws in interpreting the accuracy of a test, poor understanding of probabilities and low-quality evidence can derail the analytical process” (Cook & Decary, 2019). The goal here is to reduce error so that patients can receive effective treatment and avoid complications. Differential diagnoses are meant to be ruled out with critical thinking and evidence so again, patient outcomes will be optimal.
DISCUSSION POST #2 Gema
According to Cook, the differential diagnosis (DD) process states the following: “Differential diagnosis is a systematic process used to identify the proper diagnosis from a set of possible competing diagnoses” (Cook & Decary, 2020). It is a way to disseminate and exclude all other possible etiological disorders in order to produce a diagnosis, identify the presence of disease and or of a condition. In addition, differential diagnosis, once identified uses and implements the ICD coding system, which allows diseases to be categorized and grouped. Serving as a system that supports and records statistics on disease, reimbursement and much more.
Differential diagnosis is crucial in the treatment and care of patients. Clinical reasoning, physical assessment along with medical history are essential components of this process in that it provides and leads to an accurate diagnosis (Shimizu, 2022).
These Three DD’s include but are not limited to, as mentioned above: physical assessment, review of medical history, and clinical reasoning. The benefits of utilizing these components provide a sound interpretation of disease, a diagnosis and treatment plan. Allowing the provider to advance health care goals and promote preventive care.
Some risks include misdiagnosis due to misinterpretation of diagnostic test results, faulty reasoning that is not evidence based, along with conflict of interest that results in poor clinical decision making (Cook & Decary, 2020).
Nonetheless, when differential diagnosis is implemented and put to practice correctly by advanced practice nurses through sound clinical problems solving and clinical reasoning/critical thinking patient outcomes are favorable without a doubt.
