What is a primary differential diagnosis?
A differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions that share the same symptoms that you described to your healthcare provider. This list is not your final diagnosis, but a theory as to what is potentially causing your symptoms.
What is differential diagnosis in healthcare?
A differential diagnosis looks at the possible disorders that could be causing your symptoms. It often involves several tests. These tests can rule out conditions and/or determine if you need more testing.
What are some examples differential diagnosis?
Examples of differential diagnoses
- Chest pain. Chest pain is a symptom that can have many causes. Some are relatively mild, whereas others are serious and require immediate medical attention.
- Headaches. Headaches are a common issue.
- Stroke. Stroke requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
What is a differential diagnosis in nursing?
The differential diagnosis begins as a list of common and not so common diagnoses that are associated with a particular chief complaint or symptom. This process allows the advanced practice nurse to consider a multitude of interrelated cause- and-effect possibilities.
Why is differential diagnosis important in healthcare?
Generating a differential diagnosis — that is, developing a list of the possible conditions that might produce a patient’s symptoms and signs — is an important part of clinical reasoning. It enables appropriate testing to rule out possibilities and confirm a final diagnosis.
What are the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis?
Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis
| Extra-Pulmonary Location | Differential Diagnosis |
|---|---|
| Tuberculous Arthrits | Bacterial septic arthritis, pseudogout |
| Central Nervous System Tuberculosis | Bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, encephalitis |
| Tuberculosis Peritonitis | Bacterial peritonitis, chronic peritoneal dialysis |
What is the difference between a diagnosis and a differential diagnosis?
A differential diagnosis means that there is more than one possibility for your diagnosis. A doctor must differentiate between multiple diagnoses to determine the correct one and make an appropriate treatment plan. For instance, there are currently no lab tests to identify depression.
