NURS 6917 - Differential Diagnosis
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A07, CRN 30896,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Melody Wright
Professional Qualifications:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Nursing Education, Trinity School of Nursing, Steubenville, Ohio
APRN, MSN, NP-C
Email: mlwright03@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa Hall: Room 3309
Office Phone: 330-941-1793
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
The best form of communication is via email. Emails are checked every day throughout the week and after hour requests and weekends may not be addressed until the following business day but all effort is made to respond in a timely manner. Please do not send any messages through blackboard messaging, please use email for all communication.
How to Refer to me:
Ms. Wright
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Course Description
6917. Differential Diagnosis. Developing diagnostic reasoning skill through comprehensive analysis of present and past histories, physical findings, and diagnostic studies that contribute to differential diagnoses of major health problems across the lifespan. The client is assessed from a holistic advanced practice perspective with consideration of individual culture, social, family, and community environments. Prereq.: NURS 6902.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Required Text Rhodes, J., Penick Julie C., (2023). Formulating a Differential Diagnosis for the Advanced Practice Provider (3rd ed) New York: Springer. |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | Begin Reading Course Introduction in your textbook. Review the Welcome tab and Readings and media Start Module 1 course readings, assignments and tests. Read the Preface and Introduction to Differential Diagnosis of Common Problems. Review and listen to the 2 PowerPoints provided: Formulating a Differential Diagnosis and Soap note formation and explanation. Watch: Soap Notes How to get a Patient History • Read: Introduction to differential Diagnosis and Diagnosis of common problems. • • Confusion (351), Depression/Depressed Mood (543), Difficulty Speaking (367), Dizziness ( 137), Headache (51), Memory Loss (381), Panic (555), Pain (skin pain 469), Tremors (389) (MO2,3,4) • Worksheet for SOAP Note podcast (MO 2, 3, 4) • Worksheet for Altered Mental Status Podcast (MO 2, 3, 4) Watch: • Video (Strong Medicine) on Differential diagnosis • Building a Differential in 5 easy steps • Video Phone apps you may like (FYI) • SOAP Note (progress Note) Podcast • Altered Mental Status (AMS) Podcast Read: • Review cases beginning on pages: Pages are indicated as: (3rd Ed textbook): • Confusion (351), Depression/Depressed Mood (543), Difficulty Speaking (367), Dizziness (137), Headache ( 51) Memory Loss (381), Panic/Panic Episodes (555), Skin Pain (469), Tremors (489) Watch: • Headache Podcast: • The HINTS Exam (8:04) • How to approach the patient with vertigo (5:32) • Anxiety/Anxious Mood (537), Chest Pain (123), Coughing up Blood (83), Fainting (145), Fatigue (501), Lower Extremity Edema (155), Weight Gain (171) Shortness of Breath (91) • Worksheet for Chest Pain Video and Podcast • Worksheet for Shortness of Breath Watch: • 5 most lethal causes of chest pain • Chest Pain podcast • Shortness of Breath podcast • Review cases: Blood in Urine (243), Incontinence (259), Painful Urination (267), Rectal Bleeding (219), Flank Pain (253), Scrotal Pain (281), • Double Vision/Diplopia (375), Ear Discharge (15), Enlarged Lymph Nodes ( 23), Hoarseness (59), Congestion (9), Ear Pain/Earache (E-Version/Optional), Eye Pain (37), Eye Redness (E-Version/Optional) Mouth Lesion (65), Runny Nose ((E-Version/Optional), Sore Throat (E-version/Optional) Watch: • Painful Urination • • Ear Pain • Review cases Pages are indicated as: ( • Abdominal Pain (183), • Bloating (191), Dysphagia/Difficulty Swallowing (197), Heartburn (203), Rectal Pain (219),, Rectal Pain (237), Vomiting Blood (233). Additional online resources/optional: Weight Loss (Digital Diarrhea (Digital), Constipation/Difficulty Achieving Bowel Movements ( Digital) • Worksheet for abdominal pain Watch: • Abdominal Pain Video • Heartburn Skin Rash (473) Hives (463), Vesicular Eruptions (485) (Optional: Skin Lesion (Digital), Itchiness of Skin (Digital) • Fever (43), Foot Pain (289), Hip Pain (295), Knee pain (303) Muscle Pain (313), Muscle Weakness (321), Shoulder Pain (329), Wrist Pain (339 ) • Optional Chapters: Ankle Pain (15, Digital), Elbow Pain (141, Digital ), , Low Back Pain (291, Digital), Hand Pain (209, Digital) • Dermatological History & Diagnosis (PDF) Watch: • Skin Rash • Muscle Weakness MO |
First week of the course Review all of the content located in: Getting Started Blackboard Orientation and Requirements Developing a Differential Diagnosis Neurological System Pulmonary System Genitourinary system Focus will be on HEENT Gastrointestinal System Musculoskeletal System (focus) Also reviewing Integumentary system |
Acknowledge the Syllabus Due by Sunday of the first week by 11:59PM. Complete the Practice Test located in Module 1. Complete Case Study Worksheet: Building a Differential Diagnosis By Sunday of the first week no later than 11:59pm. There are no peer responses required the first week.. • Initial Discussion Post: Developing Differential Diagnoses By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #2: See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates • Discussion Post on Case study located in Module 3: week 3 By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #3 See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates • Discussion Post on Case study located in Module 4: week 4 By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #4 See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates • Discussion Post on Case study located in Module 5: week 5 • By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #5 See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates • Discussion Post on Case study located in Module 6: week 6 • By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #6 See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates • Discussion Post on Case study located in Module 7: week 7 • By Wednesday 11:59PM. • Respond to 2 peers by no later than Sunday of each week by 11:59 PM Complete Quiz #7 See schedule provided in Syllabus for exact open and close dates |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.