ADVANCED ASSESSMENT 4TH EDITION
INTERPRETING FINDINGS AND
FORMULATING DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
BY MARY JO GOOLSBY EXAM STUDY
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2026
⩥ What is the overall diagnostic failure rate? Answer: Approximately
15%
⩥ What is the outpatient diagnostic error rate? Answer: Approximately
5%
⩥ What characterizes intuitive diagnostic decision making? Answer: It is
fast, relies on experience and intuition, and is more prone to dangerous
errors.
⩥ What are the characteristics of analytical diagnostic decision making?
Answer: It is deliberate, effortful, time-intensive, and more reliable with
fewer errors.
⩥ Why is analytical decision making needed in practice settings?
Answer: Because practice settings include distractors and competing
demands.
, ⩥ What is a key approach in diagnostic reasoning? Answer: A measured,
consistent approach that avoids bias from first impressions.
⩥ What do expert diagnosticians maintain? Answer: Suspicion.
⩥ What should expert diagnosticians consider? Answer: A range of
explanations.
⩥ How do expert diagnosticians narrow differentials? Answer: Based on
experience and evidence.
⩥ What are the components of effective diagnosis? Answer: Focused
symptom analysis, skilled physical exam, and appropriate diagnostic
study selection.
⩥ What organization supports improved diagnosis in medicine? Answer:
Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine.
⩥ What is another organization that supports bedside medicine? Answer:
Society of Bedside Medicine.
⩥ Platinum Rule Answer: Treat patients as they would like to be treated.
INTERPRETING FINDINGS AND
FORMULATING DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
BY MARY JO GOOLSBY EXAM STUDY
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2026
⩥ What is the overall diagnostic failure rate? Answer: Approximately
15%
⩥ What is the outpatient diagnostic error rate? Answer: Approximately
5%
⩥ What characterizes intuitive diagnostic decision making? Answer: It is
fast, relies on experience and intuition, and is more prone to dangerous
errors.
⩥ What are the characteristics of analytical diagnostic decision making?
Answer: It is deliberate, effortful, time-intensive, and more reliable with
fewer errors.
⩥ Why is analytical decision making needed in practice settings?
Answer: Because practice settings include distractors and competing
demands.
, ⩥ What is a key approach in diagnostic reasoning? Answer: A measured,
consistent approach that avoids bias from first impressions.
⩥ What do expert diagnosticians maintain? Answer: Suspicion.
⩥ What should expert diagnosticians consider? Answer: A range of
explanations.
⩥ How do expert diagnosticians narrow differentials? Answer: Based on
experience and evidence.
⩥ What are the components of effective diagnosis? Answer: Focused
symptom analysis, skilled physical exam, and appropriate diagnostic
study selection.
⩥ What organization supports improved diagnosis in medicine? Answer:
Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine.
⩥ What is another organization that supports bedside medicine? Answer:
Society of Bedside Medicine.
⩥ Platinum Rule Answer: Treat patients as they would like to be treated.
