what is a secondary medical diagnosis?

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Hello,

I am working on my care plan and clinical prepwork for tomm. does anyone know what a secondary medical diagnosis is. Is it like all of the other problems the patient is having?

Thanks in advance.

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Hello,

I am working on my care plan and clinical prepwork for tomm. does anyone know what a secondary medical diagnosis is. Is it like all of the other problems the patient is having?

Thanks in advance.

That's what it is. sometimes it is listed in the chart, sometimes you have to find it in the history. Some big ones you can look for, if not listed, are things like diabetes, COPD, and hypertension. PM me and maybe I can help you with the info that you have.

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Yep--you got it! Secondary diagnosis/conditions are other things that the patient may have; and these may or may not contribute to the Primary diagnosis. For example: I had a patient the other week who was admitted for Exacerbated Asthma and Tachycardia (her Primary diagnosis) but had a history of Hypertension, Depression, Hepatitus C, known drug abuse and various other conditions. These would all be classified as Secondary. Boy-did I have alot of research that night--we have to give the disease processes for the Primary and secondary conditions!

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Thanks for the responses, Really helped me alot. I am a new nursing student so I am still learning so many things.

Thanks,

Kim

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