Publications regarding the patient encounter and patient note
It is important to develop a systematic and standard way to approach patients in the USMLE Step 2 CS exam. Please, review the following publications to get more information about this.
Reading these publications is important before reading the blue sheet and notes for each case since it depicts the general approach to the patients and makes every note published below easier to understand.
LIST OF BLUE SHEETS AND NOTES:
Please, check up these Step 2 CS Notes. They discuss the more important information to know about the exam preparation.
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Calf pain/Leg pain
- Chest pain
- Chronic Cough
- Diabetes/Follow up diabetes
- Dizziness
- Dyspareunia/Painful penetration
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Hearing loss
- Hematuria/Dark urine
- Hoarseness/Coarse voice
- Insomnia/Sleep problems
- Jaundice in adults
- Knee pain
- Memory Loss/Forgetfulness/Dementia
- Menstrual irregularities/Amenorrhea
- Motor vehicle accident MVA
- Neck pain
- Night Sweats
- Pregnancy control/Positive pregnancy test
- Psychosis NEW
- Sexual/Physical assault
- Shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
You will find the blue sheet of every case which I used for my exam preparation. I suggest writing the initials of the mnemonics in your blue sheet before entering the room. Moreover, it is helpful to write part of the word to help you remember the mnemonics easily during the patient encounter, because there isn’t much time to think once inside with the SP (standardized patient) and it can be quite difficult to remember the mnemonics under pressure.
I also listed the more important steps in the physical examination and diagnostic tests needed to order in these cases. You will find a list of differential diagnosis as well for every case.
Use the blue sheet repeatedly. Practice it. You will get better by simulating the cases closely as will find on the real exam. Time every single practice case that you do. The mnemonics used in the notes are not mine but I modified them to make them in my perspective a little easier and practical. You can find them throughout the internet. Some of the mnemonics were invented by me though, however, feel free to copy and use them as you like. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues.
If you have a copyright issue you may want to discuss with us, please, contact us and we will happily get back to you.
Good luck. I hope this helps you prepare for your exam. If you have any question or comment regarding these notes please do not hesitate to contact us.
