A list of possible conditions that could be causing the patient's symptoms, including unstable angina (reduced blood flow to the heart), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), and aortic dissection (tear in the aorta).
Used when a clinician is considering multiple potential diagnoses based on the patient's presentation.
"Patient presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Differential diagnosis includes unstable angina, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection. Further testing is required to determine the definitive diagnosis."
This phrase is typically used when multiple serious conditions need to be ruled out.
Common questions about using medical phrases in clinical documentation