The final Exam will be composed of:
Final Case Study- Interviewing a Live Patient 50 points
For this final case
study a live patient will visit the class. You will take notes and ask
the patient
questions in an attempt to get a full patient history. I will take notes of
questions asked and the way they are asked; be certain to display respect for
the patient, honor their privacy, but get to issues of importance.
The initial purpose of a case history is to develop a differential diagnosis without jumping to an unsubstantiated conclusion or overlooking important underlying factors. Questions should be directed at the patient's general level of health (e.g. any history of diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, chronic infections, allergies, etc), recent important events or personal habits (travel, food eaten, sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use, smoking, stress levels, physical activity or injury, weight gain or loss, sleeping habits), current medication, notable family history, vaccination records, etc. These questions cue the patient to reveal information to you that they may not realize is pertinent. The patient history paints a pallet or background to develop the differential diagnosis.
The next step is to find out the patient's current complaint. Ask the patient questions that will clarify the symptoms which caused them to seek medical care. Symptoms are a perception the patient has of things occurring in their body. Ask questions to clarify the meaning of the patient's perceptions - often the patient has rushed to judgment based on something they think they know or understand. At this point you have a list of potential problems which may be affecting the patient, a differential diagnosis, a hypothesis concerning the patient's complaint, which you need to begin to evaluate. Do not rush to judgment, keep your analysis open. Consider viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents but also include potential allergic reactions and metabolic conditions. Consider the potential of a confusing picture as a result of underlying conditions such as diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, chronic infection, drug abuse, or a compromised immune system. Finally get the signs that will help with scientific data to begin ruling out the potential causes listed in your differential diagnosis. List the vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature) and any other lab tests that would give scientific data relevant to the differential diagnosis.
Write
down the relevant questions and answers
from the class interview, including
the question you asked and the answer you
received. If you think of other questions that should have been asked, but there
was no opportunity while the patient was present, you may include them in the
report noting why they should have been asked during the interview.
Using MLA format to create a report
with the following components:
The report should be easy to follow, and respond to the areas graded in the rubric. Use scientific terminology, formal writing (no personal pronouns), and check for spelling and grammar errors.
Some of these questions will be on the last chapters and some will be comprehensive questions.
3) Unknown 50 points
250 points left between now and the end of the semester
Bakersfield College | Kern Community College District
| Dr. Janet Fulks
1801 Panorama Dr. - Bakersfield, CA 93305 - (661)395-4381
Date last updated
11/23/2011
ŠJanet Fulks