I hate differential diagnoses.

[Old_Mil]

I mean, why on earth would you list "postnasal drip" on the DDx for a 50 year old coughing patient with THREE PILLOW ORTHOPNEA and EXERTIONAL DYSPNEA?

On the Step 2CS/PE exam, you aren't supposed to list more than 5 DDx items. What if you only want to list one or two because you KNOW?

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[MAYOphtho]

then that's fine....you only have to list the number on the DDx you think is reasonable....I passed first try and only listed 2 on many of the cases

 

[AlternateSome1]

I agree. I listed 4 or less on most cases and passed.

 

[SamusLives]

You can list as many or few ddx as you like. I didn't always use all 5. Most cases were a bit vague to allow for more differentials.

 

[NuMD97]

I mean, why on earth would you list "postnasal drip" on the DDx for a 50 year old coughing patient with THREE PILLOW ORTHOPNEA and EXERTIONAL DYSPNEA?

On the Step 2CS/PE exam, you aren't supposed to list more than 5 DDx items. What if you only want to list one or two because you KNOW?

I'll add my vote as well. On some cases, I, too, had less than five (it worried me, only insofar as we don't know how the examiners think). Some I had more than five. I, too, passed it the first time. Just play the game and you'll be fine.