Written by Leya Bedar
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 not feel anxious)
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…
Epilepsy Your brain cells send electrical signals to your body to tell you to do things, like move. Normally, the brain fires electrical signals in a controlled way. In epilepsy, the brain fires electrical signals in a random and uncontrolled way. When a fit happens, the brain cells are a bit like people at a…
Musculoskeletal history 1 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis (morning stiffness >1hr, features of inflammation, improves with ibuprofen and with use, quicker onset, age, autoimmune history) Other differentials: Osteoarthritis (stiffness, joint pain, swelling) Repetitive strain injury (pain, stiffness, throbbing, occupation) Mark scheme for history taking can be found below
Acute Kidney Injury We have two kidneys in our body. The kidney is like a filter, removing waste and toxins from the blood. This waste and toxins come out in your pee. Acute kidney injury, or AKI, is when your kidneys are damaged, and the kidneys suddenly stops working properly. If the kidneys don’t do…
Respiratory history 3 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Pulmonary embolism (pleuritic chest pain, SOB, cough, recent surgery, signs of DVT, recent long journey) Other differentials: Acute coronary syndrome e.g. stable angina (possible due to chest pain but unlikely due to cough, pleuritic chest pain and lack of cardiovascular risk factors, past medical history and family…
Cardiovascular history 2 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Stable angina (due to cardiac nature of pain, onset with exertion, improvement with rest, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac family history) Other differentials: Myocardial infarction (unlikely due to intermittent nature, lack of autonomic associated symptoms, likely more severe pain) Pulmonary embolism (due to shortness of breath and sudden…
