Step 2 CS: Headache / photophobia

When dealing with a patient with severe photophobia, you might want to dim the light out for the patient just to make the patient comfortable. Say, "I see that the light is making you uncomfortable, let me dim the lights out for you to make you feel more comfortable."

Then you start taking history.

Think of differentials, then ask  about -

Migraine - Ask about aura, catamenial migraine

Cluster headache - Ask about tearing of eyes, rhinorrhea

Tension headache - Ask about stresses in life

Meningitis - Ask for neck stiffness, fever

Excess use of antibiotics can cause Diabetes

New research has pointed out that excess of antibiotics in children can increase there risk of getting diabetes in future.

Why?

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?