Question

Once you have reached a possible diagnosis for a​ patient, you​ should:

A. stop looking for other causes for the​ patient's signs and symptoms.
B. aggressively treat the patient for that condition only.
C. continue to look for data that will help rule in or rule out other conditions.
D. assume your diagnosis is wrong and start your assessment over from the beginning.

Answer 1

You should continue to look for data that might confirm or rule out the initial diagnosis by considering all evidence and performing additional tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Once you have reached a possible diagnosis for a​ patient, you​ should continue to look for data that will help rule in or rule out other conditions. It is essential not to stop the diagnostic process prematurely because many diseases can produce similar signs and symptoms. Instead, you should gather further evidence from preliminary tests and assess the best possible conclusion for a diagnosis. Consider all alternative diagnoses and avoid jumping to conclusions without reasonable support. Performing additional tests and considering a complete clinical picture is critical before finalizing a diagnosis and recommending treatment.