Step 2 CS: Hoarseness

This is a very easy case because there are limited number of  things that can cause hoarseness of voice.

Step 2 CS: What to ask in cases involving joint

Any case of joint pain, ask OPDFCS LIQRAA first.

Then, ask - Calor, dolor, rubor, tumor, functio laesa (Mnemonic: CRaFTeD)

Calor - Is the joint warm?
Dolor - Is it painful on movement?
Rubor - Does it look red to you?
Tumor - Does the joint look swollen to you?
Functio laesa - How has this affected your day to day activities?

Blast cells - Acute or chronic leukemia? Mnemonic!

Hope you are having a good day so far! :D

Acute leukemias are characterized by a predominance of blasts. Chronic leukemias are characterized by proliferation of lymphoid or hematopoietic cells that are more mature than those of acute leukemias.

Opportunity for Medical students to be part of a research study!

Hello!

We are doing a study on internet addiction among medical students in south east Asia ( Mainly 4 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal).

Step 2 CS: What to ask a patient with positive pregnancy test

What to ask if a patient comes in with a positive pregnancy test:

Step 2 CS: Back pain causes mnemonic

Back pain mnemonic: D(i)SSCC

Step 2 CS: Hearing loss mnemonic

Hearing loss mnemonic:

EBOLA
MBOLA

It’s a desi (Indian) Medico’s thing! Part 2

Neighbours/Relatives: (Knowing that I am taking up internal medicine) So, you want to become a cardiologist later?

Me: Yes, it’s a possibility.

N/R: Nice. So, how long before you start performing surgeries?

Me: Never

N/R: WHAT?!?! Why?

It's a desi (Indian) Medico's thing!

Neighbours/Relatives: What specialization are you taking?

Me: Internal Medicine/General Medicine

N/R: You mean general physician?

Me: Yes

N/R: Chi, Yuck, Thuuu, Ayyoo (disgusted)

Step 2 CS: Blue sheet

What's a blue sheet? A blue colored paper given to you during the step 2 CS exam.

I finally figured out what my blue sheet will be like before entering the room and maybe it will be helpful for you guys too!

I tailored it from existing mnemonics and things I used to forget. You should make a personalized blue sheet according to your need too.

This is what my sheet would look like before I enter the room:

Step 2 CS blue sheet

Step 2 CS: Asking for sexual history

Sexual history is always a dilemma for step 2 Cs exam takers. Here's a simplification.

Are you sexually active?
Patient will answer either "Yes" or "No"

If no: Don't ask why and make it awkward. If the patient has problems, he will tell you.

If yes: How many sexual partners have you had in the past one year?

Step 2 CS: Transition phrases

Once you are done with History, do a Review Of Systems:

Transition phrase: "Just for the sake of completion, I would like to ask you a few more questions - You can answer these questions with a 'Yes' or a 'No'."

These are the questions I would usually ask:
"WAD FUG"
Any changes in your Weight?
Any Appetite changes?
Any changes in your Diet?

Do you have any Fever? (Night sweats / Chills)
Any changes in your Urinary habits?

Gastrointestinal complaints:
Any abdominal pain?
Any diarrhea or constipation?
Any nausea?
Vomiting?

Step 2 CS: Child with diarrhea mnemonic

For a child with diarrhea, make sure you ask these things (D's).

Diarrhea characteristics - Amount, Blood, Color, Consistency, Duration, Frequency, Odor,
Dehydration features - Dry mouth, sunken spot on forehead, Drowsy
Diet - Any new foods introduced that may have caused the diarrhea?