Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion
Episodic/Focused SOAP Note
Patient Information:
M.B., 9 years, Male
S.
CC: The patient presents with a sore throat that started yesterday and felt warm. The patient did not check their temperature.
HPI: M.B., a 9-year-old male, presents to the clinic with his father and siblings complaining of a sore throat since yesterday. He describes feeling warm at times. He denies nasal drainage, cough, headache, upset stomach, or eye drainage. His appetite is normal, but he reports pain upon swallowing. Siblings are also experiencing similar symptoms.
Location: Throat Onset: Started yesterday
Character: Soreness, warmth
Associated signs and symptoms: Denies nasal drainage, cough, headache, upset stomach, or eye drainage. Reports pain upon swallowing. Siblings also experiencing similar symptoms.
Timing: Since yesterday
Exacerbating/relieving factors: Not specified
Severity: Not specified
Current Medications: Amoxicillin 400 mg/5 mL oral liquid, 6.25 mL every 12 hours, prescribed for strep throat.
Allergies: Gentamicin ophthalmic (specific reaction not mentioned)
PMHx: Ongoing strep pharyngitis and Circumcision
Soc & Substance Hx (Social & Substance History): Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion
Lives with father, mother, and siblings.
No alcohol use reported.
No electronic cigarette/vaping reported.
One cat in the household.
Regular nutrition, no dietary restrictions.
Sleep without concerns reported.
Fam Hx:
Mother has a history of heart attack.
Mother has a history of Von Willebrand disease.
Surgical Hx: Circumcision
Mental Hx: There’s no mention of this in the case study
Violence Hx: There’s no mention of this in the case study
Reproductive Hx: Not applicable as the patient is a 9-year-old male.
ROS:
GENERAL: Well-appearing, in no distress.
HEENT:
Head: Normocephalic, atraumatic.
Eyes: Conjunctivae clear, sclera non-icteric.
Ears: External auditory canals clear. Tympanic membranes within normal limits.
Nose: Bilateral patent nares, green rhinorrhea.
Throat: Moderate erythema, tonsils +3 with crypts.
SKIN: Warm, dry, and good turgor.
CARDIOVASCULAR: Regular rate and rhythm, no murmurs.
RESPIRATORY: Clear to auscultation bilaterally, no wheezes, rhonchi, or rales. Breathing unlabored.
GASTROINTESTINAL: Abdomen soft, non-tender, non-distended, no hepatosplenomegaly or masses.
GENITOURINARY: Not assessed in the provided case study.
NEUROLOGICAL: Not assessed in the provided case study.
MUSCULOSKELETAL: Not assessed in the provided case study.
HEMATOLOGIC: Not assessed in the provided case study.
LYMPHATICS: Not assessed in the provided case study.
PSYCHIATRIC: No history of depression or anxiety.
ENDOCRINOLOGIC: Not assessed in the provided case study
REPRODUCTIVE: Not applicable as the patient is a 9-year-old male.
ALLERGIES: Gentamicin ophthalmic. Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion
O.
Physical Exam:
General:
Appearance: Well-appearing, no distress.
Skin: Warm, dry, with good turgor.
HEENT:
Head: Normocephalic, atraumatic.
Eyes: Conjunctivae clear, sclera non-icteric.
Ears: External auditory canals clear. Tympanic membranes within normal limits.
Nose: Bilateral patent nares, green rhinorrhea.
Throat: Moderate erythema, tonsils +3 with crypts.
Cardiovascular:
Heart: Regular rate and rhythm, no murmurs.
Respiratory:
Lungs: Clear to auscultation bilaterally, no wheezes, rhonchi, or rales. Breathing unlabored.
Diagnostic Results:
According to guidelines by Mustafa and Ghaffari (2020), patients presenting with sore throat symptoms should have a fast strep test performed to confirm the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis. Positive findings suggest the presence of germs and call for the use of antibiotics. Furthermore, if there are worries about complications or an unusual presentation of the disease, imaging examinations like a CT scan may be requested; however, the case study does not disclose particular results from the CT scan.
A.
Primary Diagnosis: Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
Streptococcal pharyngitis is a frequent bacterial infection caused mostly by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. It is characterized by a painful throat, a high body temperature and frequent tonsillar exudates. The major diagnostic test is the fast strep test, which identifies group A streptococcal antigens in throat swabs. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends quick identification and treatment with antibiotics such as amoxicillin or penicillin to avoid problems and transmission (Tanael, 2020). The recommendation recommends starting therapy in individuals with a positive quick strep test to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of rheumatic fever and suppurative consequences (Mustafa & Ghaffari, 2020).
Differential Diagnoses:
Viral pharyngitis, commonly caused by adenovirus, influenza virus, or rhinovirus, presents with similar symptoms to streptococcal pharyngitis but typically lacks tonsillar exudates. Diagnosis is often clinical, with supportive management focusing on symptom relief. Antiviral medications may be considered in high-risk patients or during outbreaks (Sykes et al., 2020).
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, which can manifest as lethargy, sore throat, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis is confirmed through serological tests like the monospot test or EBV-specific antibody testing. Management includes supportive care, as antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections like IM (Naughton et al., 2021)Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion.
Acute retroviral syndrome, the initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, may manifest with symptoms resembling streptococcal pharyngitis, including sore throat and fever. Diagnostic testing includes HIV antigen/antibody testing or nucleic acid testing. Early detection is crucial for timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (AVA), as outlined in the guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (Gabert et al., 2023).
Reflection:
In this case, the course of therapy is in accordance with evidence-based recommendations for the handling of strep throat. According to Di Muzio et al. (2020), amoxicillin is a suitable antibiotic to treat bacterial illnesses like streptococcal pharyngitis. For patients to comply with treatment and to stop the illness from spreading to others, it is crucial to place a strong focus on education on completing the entire course of antibiotics and good cleanliness habits.
Reflecting on this case, I agree with the treatment provided by my preceptor. However, I learned the importance of considering potential complications such as peritonsillar abscess, especially in cases of severe sore throat. In the future, I would ensure thorough assessment for signs of complications and consider imaging studies if necessary.
In the context of illness prevention and health promotion, patient characteristics like age, socioeconomic level, and cultural background are critical. In this instance, promoting good hygiene habits among the patient and their family and getting medical care as soon as possible will help limit the propagation of illnesses within the community and at home.
Reference
Di Muzio, I., d’Angelo, D. M., Di Battista, C., Lapergola, G., Zenobi, I., Marzetti, V., … & Altobelli, E. (2020). Pediatrician’s approach to diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 39, 1103-1107. https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00431-023-05211-w
Gabert, R., Lama, J. R., Valdez, R., Dasgupta, S., Cabello, R., Sanchez, H., … & Duerr, A. (2023). Acute retroviral syndrome is associated with lower CD4+ T cell nadir and delayed viral suppression, which are blunted by immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation. AIDS, 37(7), 1103-1108. https://doi.org/10.1097/qad.0000000000003511 Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion
Mustafa, Z., & Ghaffari, M. (2020). Diagnostic methods, clinical guidelines, and antibiotic treatment for group A streptococcal pharyngitis: a narrative review. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 10, 563627. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.563627
Naughton, P., Healy, M., Enright, F., & Lucey, B. (2021). Infectious Mononucleosis: diagnosis and clinical interpretation. British journal of biomedical science, 78(3), 107-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/09674845.2021.1903683
Sykes, E. A., Wu, V., Beyea, M. M., Simpson, M. T., & Beyea, J. A. (2020). Pharyngitis: approach to diagnosis and treatment. Canadian Family Physician, 66(4), 251-257.
Tanael, M. (2020). Pharyngitis guidelines and missional goals. Military Medicine, 185(9-10), e1341-e1342. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa056
Will upload Patient INFO and SOAP TEMPLATE
Assignment
RUBRIC
RAC_6541_Week3_Assignment2_Rubric
PRAC_6541_Week3_Assignment2_Rubric | ||||||
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization of Write-up |
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10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThoroughness of History |
|
20 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHistory of Present Illness |
|
10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThoroughness of Physical Exam |
|
10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiagnostic Reasoning |
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10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTreatment Plan/Patient Education |
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20 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePatient Education / Follow Up / Reflection |
|
10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation. Professional language utilized |
|
5 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeScholarly References and Clinical Practice Guidelines. The assignment includes a minimum of 3 scholarly references that are not older than 5 years. Clinical practice guidelines are included if applicable. |
|
5 pts | ||||
Total Points: 100 |
Episodic SOAP Note Case Study Assignment Discussion