Online Continuing Education Courses

Pharmaceutical Pitfalls Considerations for Differential Diagnosis

• Quantify the levels of intensity for manual techniques using the Tolerance, Incremental, Light or Energy Method categories when considering the patient’s medications to determine the proper treatment application. 
• Differentiate the three types of precautions/contraindications (Permanent, Ongoing and Temporary) when categorizing the patient’s current and past medications to assist the clinician in diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Contrast the permanent nature of corticosteroids, depending upon dosage and delivery method, and how this alters the clinician’s differential diagnosis options and future treatment plans.
• Compare and contrast the short and long-term effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, aspirin and acetaminophen, including specific discussion about the alteration of the patient’s musculoskeletal symptomatology during examination.
• Discuss the alteration in the clinician’s palpation when the patient is under the influence of muscle relaxants, their half-life, and the necessary changes in treatment while influenced.
• Interpret the symptomatology of the presenting patient with musculoskeletal symptoms when under the influence of bisphosphonates (and similar), as medications used to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia have significant side effects including hypocalcemia and severe musculoskeletal pain.
• Determine the necessary pharmaceutical precautions when considering the side effects of medications used to control cholesterol (including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors), specifically those those that may mimic musculoskeletal symptoms during patient examination.
• Recognize the potential side effects of the 7 most common cardiovascular medication classes that are important to consider in the differential diagnosis of the patient presenting symptoms.
• Explain the pharmacodynamics of various types of blood pressure medications and detail which require limiting or avoiding the prone position to avoid complications with the clinician’s therapy.
• Detail the procedure of BoNT injections for musculoskeletal conditions, and clarify the side effects and precautions that are significant to the clinician when determining diagnosis and treatment protocols.