Written by Leya Bedar
Pericarditis (features of infection, pleuritic chest pain, improves when leaning forward, recent viral illness)
Other differentials:
Pulmonary embolism (shortness of breath, sudden onset, pleuritic chest pain, but less likely due to features of infection)
Oesophagitis (features of infection but unlikely as no link to swallowing/eating and no previous heartburn)
Mark scheme for history taking can be found below
Neurological history 2 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Acute closed-angle glaucoma (eye pain, red eye, blurred vision, halos, age) Differential diagnosis: Orbital cellulitis (eye pain, red eye, vision affected, but ocular movements spared and would have been more relevant if recent cellulitis) Cluster headache (pain around the eye, but vision is affected and the pain…
Osteoarthritis We have cartilage between our joints to cushion the joints. Over time, this cartilage breaks down and wears away. As a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing swelling and pain in that joint. Rheumatoid arthritis The body needs a way of protecting itself. We call this the immune system. The…
Respiratory history 6 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Community acquired pneumonia (recent infectious contact, green/yellow sputum, fever, dyspnoea, tachycardia, chills and sweating) Other differentials: Acute bronchitis (similar in presentation but sweating and fever more associated with pneumonia, no wheeze or chest tightness) Influenza (less likely due to chills, productive cough, tachycardia, sweating, and no improvement…
Respiratory history 5 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Lung cancer (haemoptysis, cough, constitutional symptoms, family history of lung cancer, smoking history) Other differentials: Tuberculosis (ethnic, haemoptysis, constitutional symptoms but lack of travel history, infectious contacts, night sweats, make less likely) COPD (cough, SOB and smoking history but less likely due to haemoptysis and constitutional symptoms)…
Mental health history 2 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Depression (lethargy, weight loss due to lack of appetite, thoughts of self-harm and suicide, hopelessness, worthlessness, early-morning wakening, stress) Other differentials: Hypothyroidism (lethargy, loss of appetite however less likely as no weight gain or systemic features) Anxiety (due to stress but very unlikely as patient does…
