Differential Diagnosis Workshop:

Review the below Chief Complaints and make a list of the worst possible diagnoses, along with the most common diagnoses for each complaint. Limit each list to a maximum of 10 items. If 10 items do not exist for a specific complaint that is ok.

Goal: Complete the list below by the beginning of your 3rd month. Keep your differential list handy.

1. Chest pain

2. Abdominal pain

3. Shortness of breath

4. Dental Pain

5. Headache

6. Back pain

7. Nausea and vomiting

8. Dizziness

9. Cough

10. General Weakness

11. Earache

12. Altered mental status/confusion

13. Sore throat

14. Palpitations

15. Rash

16. Seizures

17. Diarrhea

18. Syncope (fainting)

19. Urinary symptoms (e.g., dysuria, frequency)

20. Sickle pain

21. Allergic reaction

22. Vaginal bleeding

23. Joint pain/swelling

24. Eye problems (e.g., vision changes, pain)

25. Hypotension

26. Missed Dialysis

27. Vomiting blood (hematemesis)

28. Rectal bleeding

29. Ingestion/overdose

30. Flank pain