Bedbugs, Scabies, MRSA, or What? Using the Scientific Method to Diagnose a Progressive Skin Condition

When a WOC Nurse develops skin lesions of unknown etiology, she uses the Scientific Method to investigate the cause.

The poster will demonstrate the journey through each medical misdiagnosis as a hypothesis. The research that was completed following each misdiagnosis will include cause, treatment and cellular changes associated with that diagnosis. Photographs will be used to compare the hypothesis to the case study’s lesions, and to demonstrate the six week progression of the skin affliction, from a single lesion to a progressive rash.  This data is analyzed to test each hypothesis.  As the symptoms changed, new physicians were consulted. When one hypothesis is rejected, another is formed until the problem is solved, and the accurate diagnosis is made.

Research Question:  What is causing the skin lesions?

Hypothesis #1: The wounds are caused by an Insect or Parasite.

Research: Mosquitos, Bedbugs, and Scabies

Hypothesis #2:  The wounds are caused by a Bacterial Infection

Research:  Clinical Infection of Tissue and MRSA

Hypothesis #3: The rash is caused by a Contact Dermatitis

Research:  Poison ivy, Latex Allergy

Hypothesis #4: The rash is caused by a Fungal Infection

Research: Candidiasis, Tinea Corporis

Hypothesis #5: The rash is caused by a Viral Process

Research: Pityriasis Rosea and Herald Patch

Conclusion:  The rash was caused by Pityriasis Rosea

The final step of the Scientific Method is to communicate findings to my colleagues. The poster brings my journey through the Scientific Method to a close.