STOOL Tests : A Mnemonic for Step 3 CCS
I've listed this mnemonic under Step 3 instead of the SmartMD blog, since that's where it might be most useful for USMLEtoMD.com readers . On the CCS, what will save you time is quick fact-finding about what case you are dealing with, a big part of that is ordering the right tests on your digital patients - here's a quick way of remembering what tests need to be ordered when dealing with a case that needs stool examination
S - Staining ! for Fat (qualitative/quantitative) + bacteria
T - Toxin Testing (e.g. C-Diff)
O - Occult Blood Testing (Cancers, GI Bleed), Ova & Parasites testing
O - Osmolality (Diff. b/w Osmotic/Malaborptive v/s Secretory Diarrhea)
L - Leukocytes (inflammatory diarrheas)
S - Staining ! for Fat (qualitative/quantitative) + bacteria
T - Toxin Testing (e.g. C-Diff)
O - Occult Blood Testing (Cancers, GI Bleed), Ova & Parasites testing
O - Osmolality (Diff. b/w Osmotic/Malaborptive v/s Secretory Diarrhea)
L - Leukocytes (inflammatory diarrheas)
Additions / Suggestions r welcome :) And of course, the mnemonic does not mean that you have order ALL the tests - you will need to stay within the domain of relevance ..so, I would not do C.Difficile testing in a case of an old patient presenting with progressive constipation, but would certainly test of occult blood - coz remember that on the Step 3 CCS you are also testing for how efficiently you use resources...
Labels: Mnemonics
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