Differential Diagnosis- Module 5: Screening for Hematologic Disease/Head, Neck and Back/Pelvic Girdle

Course Description:

This course is derived from the textbook Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists by Catherine Goodman, MBA, PT, CBP and Teresa Snyder, MN, RN, OCN, CS. Following the standards for competency established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) related to conducting a screening examination, Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists, 5th Edition gives you a consistent way to screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems. This comprehensive text centers on a 5-step screening model that covers past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical presentation, associated signs and symptoms, and review of symptoms for each client.

This course covers chapters 5, 14 and 15

• Chapter 5: Screening for Hematologic Disease
• Chapter 14: Screening for the Head, Neck, and Back
• Chapter 15: Screening for the Sacrum, Sacroiliac, and Pelvis

Methods of Instruction:

Online course available via internet

Target Audience:

Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Athletic Trainers.

Educational Level:

Intermediate

Prerequisites:

None

Course Goals and Objectives:

At the completion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Differentiate between the signs and symptoms of hematologic disorders
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of platelet disorders
3. Recognize how to use the screening model to evaluate the head, neck or back
4. Identify common red flag symptoms associated with back pain of systemic origin
5. Differentiate between the clinical signs and symptoms of major headache types
6. Recognize the varying origins of thoracic/scapular pain
7. Identify symptoms and possible causes of neck and back pain
8. Differentiate between vascular and neurogenic back pain
9. Recognize the screening techniques for oncologic/cardiac/peripheral vascular/pulmonary/renal and urologic/gastrointestinal/liver and biliary/gynecolgic/male reproductive and infectious causes of neck and back pain
10. Identify the signs and symptoms of an impending rupture or actual rupture of an aortic aneurysm
11. Identify tests the therapist should perform for clients with back pain who have suspicious history or concomitant respiratory symptoms
12. Recognize referred pain patterns
13. Identify signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
14. Recognize signs and symptoms of sacral and sacroiliac pain
15. List three types of sacrum factures
16. List red flag symptoms associated with pelvic pain
17. Identify signs and symptoms of gynecologic causes of pelvic pain
18. Recognize the risk factors for ovarian cancer

Criteria for Obtaining Continuing Education Credits:

A score of 70% or greater on the post-test