When it comes to collecting history from a patient, it is important to ask relevant questions in order to gain insight into the presenting symptoms. This includes asking about when the symptoms began, any associated triggers, what makes them worse or better, any underlying medical conditions, current medications and family history of similar issues. The physical exam should be tailored towards the patient’s chief complaint and should include general assessment such as checking vital signs as well as more specific tests depending on the condition being investigated. Diagnostic tests may also be appropriate to gather more information on the patient’s condition and could include things such as lab work or imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans.

· Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient. · Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis? · Identify at least five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.

When considering possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for a given patient, there are many factors which need to taken into account such age , gender , pre-existing comorbidities lifestyle habits . For example , if an elderly female presents with chest pain then conditions such heart attack coronary artery disease congestive heart failure will be some consider while younger male might present stroke other vascular related issue . Other potential diagnoses might involve pulmonary problems like pneumonia bronchitis asthma gastrointestinal issues Crohn\’s Disease ulcerative colitis . Finally , infections can also cause similar type symptoms flu virus strep throat even common cold so those possibilities would need considered based presenting symptomatology impacted individual .