Formal Terminology Beginner Emergency Medicine

Workup

Formal Definition

The diagnostic evaluation of a patient: labs, imaging, and procedures ordered to establish a diagnosis.

How It's Used on the Ward

"Start the workup" or "What's the workup?" - means get the diagnostic tests going.

Example

""For this chest pain workup, let's get a troponin, BMP, CBC, EKG, and chest X-ray. If troponin is positive, we'll add a CT angiography.""

Clinical Context

A focused workup shows clinical reasoning. Ordering everything ("shotgunning") is frowned upon. Know what you're looking for and why.

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