Question

Give the major differential diagnosis for each of the following circumstances. Do not use abbreviations, spell out the terms completely.1. Sudden, unilateral CP after trauma to the chest: {___________}2. Cough, SOB, and fever: {___________}3. SOB with a 30-year history of smoking: {___________}4. Burning epigastric pain that is often exacerbated with ingestion of more acidic foods: {___________}

Answer 1

Differential diagnosis:

1. Sudden, unilateral CP after trauma to the chest: Pneumothorax

2. Cough, SOB, and fever: Pneumonia

3. SOB with a 30-year history of smoking: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

4. Burning epigastric pain that is often exacerbated with ingestion of more acidic foods: Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Explanation:

Pneumothorax refers to collapsed lungs due to leakage of air into the space between the chest wall and lungs due to any trauma or injury to the lungs or chest, or lung diseases. Symptoms include sudden unilateral chest pain.

Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi in the lungs which inflames the lung air sacs with purulent material. This leads to symptoms like cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, chills and fever. Microbes like cause pneumonia.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease depicts chronic obstruction of airflow in the lung airways as a result of emphysema or chronic bronchitis. This is an inflammatory disease caused due to chronic smoking. Smoking reduces lung function, causes shortness of breath, chronic cough and wheezing with chest tightness, and other respiratory symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder occurs due to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus and irritates lining of esophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the chest commonly referred as heartburn due to the proximity to heart, regurgitation of swallowed food, swallowing difficulty, and/or chest pain.