Nursing Case Studies: Diagnosis, Rationales, Fundamentals

Test your knowledge and clinical investigative skills in trying to diagnose what is going on with the patients presented in each of the Case Study Investigations. Can you come up with the right diagnosis? Case Studies Articles

Bizarre behavior and fever: What's going on?

Case Study: Child With Altered Mental Status

In this Case Study, an 11-year-old child with autism presents by ambulance to the children's hospital with altered mental status, bizarre behavior and fever.

Four Days of Nausea, Vomiting and Fever

What is most important in this case study in which an older Vietnamese woman presents to the ER with fever, nausea and vomiting?

Why is this man dizzy?

I'm Dizzy, Tired and Can't Remember What I Ate for Lunch

A 74-year-old white male presents to the ED with confusion, fatigue, dizziness, headache and distal right arm paresthesia. Experienced nurses, model your.

Excruciating Pelvic Pain:

Agonizing Pelvic Pain: What's Going On with this 17-year-old? | Ca…

A new case study in which the patient, a 17-yr-old African American female, is having ongoing, excruciating pelvic pain. This case study is based upon the very.

What's happening to this woman?

A Fracture from a Fall: What's Going on Here?

A new case study in which a 77 yo white female arrives to the emergency room by taxi with a suspected skull fracture. This topic was suggested by a reader –.

Breathless, Coughing and Run-down: What's Going On? | Case Study

A new case study in which the patient, a 32-yr-old white male presents to a local free clinic with fatigue, moderate dyspnea, and a persistent and.

Patient states, “I just don't feel like anything matters. I used to be so happy.”

Suicidal Ideation and Muscle Twitches | Case Study

A new case study in which the patient, a 40 yr-old mixed-race woman presents to her primary care physician with concerns about suicidal ideation. She has some.

What is going on with this young woman?

Unexplained Diarrhea and Weight Loss: What's going on? | Case Stud…

A new case study in which the patient, a 28 y/o white female presents to a primary care clinic complaining of recurrent diarrhea. She first experienced diarrhea.

This guy keeps mimicking me. Is he

Repeat After Me. What's the problem here? | Case Study

A homeless man is brought to the ER by the local police after he is found sitting at a bus stop with a bloody rag pressed to his left knee. The temperature.

What's causing mood swings and outbursts of anger?

Wild Mood Swings and Outbursts of Anger: What's Wrong with this M…

A new case study in which the patient, a 50-yr-old male of mixed race visits his primary care physician with concerns about wild mood swings and outbursts of.

Is this a case of dementia? Delirium? What is it?

Case Study: Does this Cherokee Woman Have Dementia?

An 85-yr-old Cherokee woman living in a skilled nursing facility has lost weight since admission and won’t socialize or join in activities. She won't.

Does this woman have breast cancer?

Case Study: It's a Lump, but is it Breast Cancer?

I am so excited about this Case Study because I feel it will be useful to so many of you! Welcome to a new Case Study in which the patient, a 45-yr-old, white.

Why is my baby vomiting?

Case Study: Newborn with Vomiting and Diarrhea

A three-day old male infant is brought to the ER by his 22-yr-old mother with vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnostic results will be released upon request, with the.

Can you figure out the diagnosis?

Case Study: Joint Pain, Rash, Hair Loss - What's Going On?

A new case study in which R.W. presents to her PCP with a cough, mild fever, joint stiffness and pain and a history of rashes, anemia and hair loss.

Can you solve this obstetrical case study?

Case Study: An OB Catastrophe

The following is a case simulation involving a patient initially encountered in Labor and Delivery. While the initial encounter occurred in a specific setting.

How Good of an Investigator Are You?

Differential Case Study: Lyme Disease or Covid-19?

Lakeith, a 35-year-old black man living in New York State, presents with a fever of 101 degrees F. He is concerned he might have contracted Covid-19. Based upon.

What is this pain?

Case Study: Sudden Severe Pain

A new case study in which the patient, D.C., a 52-year-old, white, married college professor wakes up to severe and intensifying pain. Though the coronavirus.

What is the first thing you think of when you see bruises on a child?

Case Study: Unexplained Bruises

Karen brings her daughter, Ann into the pediatric clinic stating, "She's just been so tired lately. All she wants to do is sleep and she’s got no appetite.

Is it a cold, a virus, a bacterial infection? Maybe it's TB? Pneumonia?

Case Study: What's Causing This Cough?

A new case study in which the patient, H.T. an 82-year-old Hispanic man presents to his primary care clinic with cough, malaise and confusion. How well do you.

Is this Stomach Flu? Anxiety? What is it?

Case Study(CSI): Stomach flu? Anxiety? What's Going on Here?

A new case study in which the patient, A.W. a 65-year-old African American woman presents to her primary care clinic with unspecified complaints. She told the.

Why are they feeling exhausted?

Case Study: I'm too tired to walk the dog.

A new case study in which the patient, T.K. a 51-year-old woman who has finally taken a staycation, doesn’t have enough energy to walk her dog. You’re the.

What is causing abdominal pain?

Case Study: My Stomach Hurts

It's late in the day on a beautiful Saturday in late summer. You are finishing up your shift at a local urgent care clinic when a 28-year-old, white male comes.

Why do nurses have to be knowledgeable about alternative treatment modalities?

Case Study: Trust Your Gut? A Fecal Transplant Could Change Your L…

Fecal Microbial Transplant (FMT) is a well-accepted practice for the treatment of C. diff, however in the U.S. it is still typically used only after multiple.

Can taking ecstasy heal PTSD?

Case Study: Magic Mushrooms as Medicine? Mind-Body Connection Pt. …

Can "tripping" cure depression? Can LSD reduce chronic anxiety? This article explores the use of psychedelics to treat mental illness. Read on to find links for.

Can antidepressants cause the hippocampus and amygdala to increase in size?

Case Study: Does Childhood Abuse Prevent Weight Loss? Pt. 2

This is an important topic for nurses. We need to understand the connection between childhood trauma and mind/body issues to build trust with patients and.