Step 3: Generate a Differential Diagnosis

Objective :

Use a Diagnostic Sieve to generate a differential diagnosis list

Diagnostic sieves are a valuable and efficient way of assessing a patient's symptoms and signs to reach a diagnosis.

Click on the categories that are relevant to this case. Correct answers are highlighted in green.

Neoplasm

The mass in the breast combined with enlarged lymph nodes make a neoplasm a definite possibility. The pain in the right hip without any history of trauma also points toward this diagnosis.

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Degenerative / Deficiency

The pain and inability to weight bear on the right hip without any history of trauma could be caused by a fracture due to osteoporosis.

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Traumatic

Hearing the crack is highly suggestive the bone has fractured. But the trauma is very minor, so you have to be suspicious something else is going on too.

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Next Step

Open ended questions establish which symptoms are most important to the patient and promote good rapport.