1032-25: Masters of Disguise: Considering Medical Mimickers in the Diagnostic Process 

Join this interactive session to explore the overlap between medical and psychiatric symptoms. Through case studies and collaboration, participants will develop practical skills to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care by recognizing medical mimickers in their differential diagnosis.

Presenters:  Mark Crawford, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Leslie Lane, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Alexandra Sietsma, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  1 hour 45 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Differentiate at least one medical and psychiatric condition using a red flag framework.   

Key Takeaway(s): 

• Not all psychiatric symptoms are psychiatric illnesses; always consider a medical mimic.
• Red flag frameworks and interdisciplinary thinking save lives and prevent misdiagnosis.

Keywords:  Medical Mimic, Diagnosis, Psychosomatic Medicine, Misdiagnosis

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.75 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 23, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

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