II. Evaluation
• Introduce your main argument (what should you focus on/do; can be from any
perspective, a nurse, a forensic scientist, a kinesiologist etc.). What is your suspicion?
What are the differential diagnoses?
• What tests do you plan to run?
• Physical examination
o Describe the physical examination, succinctly, in consistent format
o General check list of areas/items that may be included:
§ Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate etc.)
§ Palpation (ie. Neck, lymph nodes, breasts, chest, cardiovascular,
abdomen, genitourinary, rectal, extremities, skin, neurologic
§ Laboratory findings; blood work; imaging; biopsies, etc…
III. Discussion
• Discussion of relevant background and explanatory information
o i.e. define relevant terminology and concepts
o What findings from lab/physical exam/medical history that are relevant or
unusual?
o What is the diagnosis?
o Discuss the physiology/pathophysiology associated with the case, disease,
symptoms, treatment, or ailment. Not all of these items need to be discussed -
you can choose to focus on one in more detail if you like. The strongest remarks
will be those that have a physiological focus.
• Describe possible lessons learned by this case
IV. Conclusions
• This summary should include a few well-crafted sentences, perhaps 3-5 in all. A concise,
accurate summary shows that you have grasped the essentials of the case and can distill
the clinical data into its essence.
V. Discussion Questions
Generate 3 creative, thought-provoking questions that you could use to generate a discussion
surrounding your case. Use your critical thinking skills and identify well-crafted and succinct
questions that would elicit a detailed discussion about your case that relate to the
physiology/pathophysiology of your condition. Questions can build upon one another. Make
sure to include the answers as well!