Overview
Research Paper: Differential Diagnosis of Common Clinical Complaints
Purpose
The goal of this assignment is to help you develop critical thinking skills by exploring how to approach common clinical complaints that nurses frequently encounter. You will examine possible differential diagnoses and discuss how these conditions are evaluated in different care settings.
Assignment Instructions
Choose one (1) of the following common clinical complaints:
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of Breath
- Headache
- Abdominal Pain
- Syncope
- Dizziness/Vertigo
- Fatigue
For the complaint you select:
- Identify three (3) differential diagnoses that could be associated with the complaint.
- For each diagnosis, discuss the clinical approach in different care settings (for example: emergency department, inpatient unit, outpatient/primary care, urgent care, telemetry).
- Support your paper with at least three peer-reviewed research studies published within the last five (5) years. At least one clinical practice guideline may also be used. Be sure to include your course book also: Gawlik, K., Melnyk, B. M., & Teall, A. (2020). Evidence-Based Physical Examination: Best practices for health & well-being assessment. Springer Publishing Company.
- Format your paper in APA 7th edition style, including:
- Title Page
- Introduction (overview of the complaint and importance of differential diagnosis)
- Body (organized into sections for each differential diagnosis and clinical setting discussion)
- Conclusion (summarize key points and clinical implications)
- References Page
Paper Requirements
- Length: 5–7 pages (not including title and references).
- Turnitin Similarity Index: Preferred ≤20%, not acceptable if >30%. References are excluded from this percentage.
- Writing must be clear, organized, and professional.
Grading Rubric (100 points total)
| Criteria | Exemplary (100) | Competent (90) | Developing (80) | Emerging (70) | Not Submitted (0) |
| Content & Clinical Accuracy (40 pts) | Thorough and accurate discussion of complaint and three differential diagnoses; strong clinical reasoning. | Mostly accurate and clear; minor gaps. | Some inaccuracies; limited clinical depth. | Major inaccuracies or very limited discussion. | Not submitted. |
| Use of Evidence (25 pts) | At least 3 current, high-quality research articles integrated effectively; guidelines included as appropriate. | Meets minimum source requirement but integration could be stronger. | Uses fewer than 3 articles or sources not fully current/relevant. | Little to no scholarly support. | Not submitted. |
| Organization & Clarity (20 pts) | Excellent flow, well-structured sections, professional writing. | Clear overall, some minor issues with flow or clarity. | Organization is uneven, some confusion. | Poorly organized and unclear. | Not submitted. |
| APA Formatting (10 pts) | Flawless APA 7th edition formatting. | Few minor APA errors. | Multiple APA errors. | Major APA issues or formatting not followed. | Not submitted. |
| Professionalism (5 pts) | Academic tone maintained, originality upheld. | Minor lapses in tone or mechanics. | Noticeable grammar or tone issues. | Frequent errors or unprofessional style. | Not submitted. |
Reminder: For APA support, visit the Purdue OWL resource: APA Formatting and Style Guide