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Diagnostic Reasoning Questions with Detailed
Verified Answers
What is inductive reasoning? Ans: Moving from specific finding or
complaint to more general.
What does diagnostic reasoning allow the NP to do? Ans: Focus on what
needs to be asked and examined
Cluster abnormal findings
Develop differential diagnoses
Analyze and interpret findings
What may the differential diagnosis of a cough include? Ans: Viral
syndrome. bronchitis/pneumonia
Chronic condition: asthma, COPD, heart failure
GERD
Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, cancer
What are the differential diagnoses of dyspnea? Ans: Copd
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Heart failure
Anemia
Asthma, poor conditioning
Acute = PE or foreign body aspiration, anaphylaxis, pneumothorax,
epiglottitis, asthma
The differential diagnoses of rhinitis/congestion may include? Ans:
Sinusitis
Allergic Rhinitis
Abuse of nasal decongestants (no discharge just congestion)
URI
Why do we take a history? Ans: Gather information/clues to help you
make the diagnosis
Begins the therapeutic relationship
Determines patient goals
What type of questions should be asked in the interview?
What is the Chief Complaint?
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What type of information do you collect for the HPI? Ans: Open-ended.
Tell me about .....
The reason the patient states they are here for a visit, use quotes
OLD CART
Onset, location, duration, character, aggravating or associating
symptoms, releving, treatment
What is the ROS?
When is it completed?
How many areas do you focus on for symptomatic/acute visit? Ans:
Review of systems
Ask any pertinent question related to new information using OLDCART
At the end of the subjective portion
Look at the big 5
What order is correct to complete a patient visit? Ans: Chief complaint
HPI
Past medical history
Diagnostic Reasoning Questions with Detailed
Verified Answers
What is inductive reasoning? Ans: Moving from specific finding or
complaint to more general.
What does diagnostic reasoning allow the NP to do? Ans: Focus on what
needs to be asked and examined
Cluster abnormal findings
Develop differential diagnoses
Analyze and interpret findings
What may the differential diagnosis of a cough include? Ans: Viral
syndrome. bronchitis/pneumonia
Chronic condition: asthma, COPD, heart failure
GERD
Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, cancer
What are the differential diagnoses of dyspnea? Ans: Copd
, Page | 2
Heart failure
Anemia
Asthma, poor conditioning
Acute = PE or foreign body aspiration, anaphylaxis, pneumothorax,
epiglottitis, asthma
The differential diagnoses of rhinitis/congestion may include? Ans:
Sinusitis
Allergic Rhinitis
Abuse of nasal decongestants (no discharge just congestion)
URI
Why do we take a history? Ans: Gather information/clues to help you
make the diagnosis
Begins the therapeutic relationship
Determines patient goals
What type of questions should be asked in the interview?
What is the Chief Complaint?
, Page | 3
What type of information do you collect for the HPI? Ans: Open-ended.
Tell me about .....
The reason the patient states they are here for a visit, use quotes
OLD CART
Onset, location, duration, character, aggravating or associating
symptoms, releving, treatment
What is the ROS?
When is it completed?
How many areas do you focus on for symptomatic/acute visit? Ans:
Review of systems
Ask any pertinent question related to new information using OLDCART
At the end of the subjective portion
Look at the big 5
What order is correct to complete a patient visit? Ans: Chief complaint
HPI
Past medical history
