Differentials

Question 0

Short Of Breath

Answer 0

Cardiac: CHF, PE
Pulmonary: Pneumonia, Bronchospasm (Asthma/COPD)
Miscellaneous:
Obstruction
Anxiety
Pneumothorax
Massive pleural effusions
Massive ascites
PostOp Atelactasis
Cardiac Tamponade
Aspiration of gastric contents

Question 1

Chest Pain

Answer 1

ACS/MI
- Plaque, vasoconstriction, anemia, rate related/arrhythmia, 
SCAD
Aortic Dissection/Aneurysm
Pericarditis
Valvular issue
PE
Pneumothorax
Pleuritis
Esophageal Spasm
GERD
Peptic Ulcer
Costochondritis
MSK
Rib Fx
Herpes Zoster
Panic Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Cholecystitis

Question 2

Mnemonic for Syncope

Answer 2

HEAD
HEART
VESSELS

Question 3

CNS Differentials of Syncope

Answer 3

Hypoxia
Epilepsy
Anxiety/Hyperventilation
Dysfunction of brain stem (Basovertebral TIA)
\+CVA/TIA
\+SAH
\+Cervical Spondylosis

Question 4

Cardiac Differentials for Syncope

Answer 4

Heart Attacks (ACS)
Embolism
Aortic Obstruction (HSS(??), AS, Myxoma)
Rhythm Disturbance (Arrhythmia/Pacemaker Fail)
Tachydysrhythmia
\+HOCM
\+ARVD
\+Bradydsyrhythmias

Question 5

Vascular Differentials of Syncope

Answer 5

Vasovagal
Ectopic pregnancy
Situational (Bezold-Jarisch reflex, etc)
Subclavian Steal
ENT (Glossopharyngeal neuralgia)
Low SVR - Autonomic dysfunction, or drugs (Beta blockers, CCB’s, anti HTN)
Sensitive Carotid Sinus
\+Hypovolemia/Anemia

Question 6

DLOC Differentials

Answer 6

Alcohol
Epilepsy
Insulin
Overdose/Oxygenation
Uraemia
Trauma/Toxins
Infection
Poisoning/Psychogenic/PE
Shock/Stroke/

Question 7

Stroke Imitators

Answer 7

Hypoglycemia
Complicated Migraine (similar events?)
Post-ictal paralysis
Hypertensive Encephalopathy
Conversion Disorder
Meningitis/Encephalitis 
Lower Motor Neuron Facial Palsy (Bell’s palsy)
Spinal cord compression/inflammation

Question 8

Seizure Mimic Differentials

Answer 8

Syncope
TIA
Migraine
Paroxysmal movement disorders
Psychological disorders (pseudoseizures)

Question 9

Hypotension Differentials

Answer 9

Hypovolemic - hemorrhagic, diarrhea, diaphoresis
Obstructive - pneumothorax, PE, tamponade
Cardiogenic - MI, ACS, Valvular, Dysrhythmia, Tachy/Brady,
Distributive - septic, anaphylaxis,
Neurogenic - Cord damage resulting in decreased adrenal secretion and vasoconstriction