Recommendation CER
Students write a CER that recommends a diagnosis and next steps from synthesized evidence.
CER with a specific diagnostic claim, multi-source evidence from the workup, reasoning linking each evidence point to the claim, a next-steps recommendation, and one stated limitation.
- 1Do thisStudents write a CER that recommends a diagnosis and next steps from synthesized evidence.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisCER: CER with a specific diagnostic claim, multi-source evidence from the workup, reasoning linking each evidence point to the claim, a next-steps recommendation, and one stated limitation.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 2.3 New to the Practice: New patient diagnostic workup: history, vitals, bloodwork, genetics, evidence synthesis. › CEROpen Schoology
Read to prepare for today
Vetted sources picked for today's question. Skim these before you take a position or start the work, so your argument and evidence are grounded.
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: A diagnostic recommendation is only as strong as the evidence behind it: multi-source support and stated limitations are non-negotiable.
- 0-8 minReview Wednesday evidence table; identify the three strongest data points supporting the top diagnosis.
- 8-20 minWrite the claim: one sentence naming the most likely diagnosis.
- 20-45 minWrite evidence section: cite history, vitals, lab, and genetic data with specific values.
- 45-62 minWrite reasoning: connect each evidence point to the diagnostic claim.
- 62-72 minAdd next-steps recommendation (confirmatory test or referral) and one limitation.
- 72-80 minPeer review: check that claim is specific, evidence is multi-source, limitation is stated.
- • Your team built the evidence table yesterday; today you write the individual CER that turns that evidence into a recommendation.
- • Each CER must have a specific diagnosis in the claim, not a general description.
- • Cite at least three data types from the workup: history, vitals, bloodwork, or genetics.
- • The next-steps recommendation is what separates a diagnosis from a plan of care.
- 1State a claim naming the most likely diagnosis for the patient.
- 2Cite specific history, vital, lab, and genetic evidence that support the claim.
- 3Explain reasoning that connects each evidence point to the diagnosis.
- 4Recommend confirmatory tests or referrals to reduce remaining uncertainty.
- 5Name assumptions and limitations that could change the recommendation.
- • Write a CER with a clear diagnostic claim and multi-source evidence.
- • Recommend appropriate next steps and state at least one limitation.
- • A diagnostic CER claim must name a specific condition, not just a symptom cluster.
- • Multi-source evidence means citing at least history, one lab value, and one other data type.
- • Recommending confirmatory tests is how clinicians reduce uncertainty without guessing.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 2.3 New to the Practice: New patient diagnostic workup: history, vitals, bloodwork, genetics, evidence synthesis. · Recommendation CER
Day 4 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open myPLTW and locate any Lesson 2.3 New to the Practice recommendation or CER-writing activity to use as a writing guide.
Submit any platform prompts for this lesson before starting the independent CER.
Platform prompts should be done in the first 15 minutes; the CER is today's main product.
Completed CER submitted in Schoology is the primary evidence.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 2.3 New to the Practice: New patient diagnostic workup: history, vitals, bloodwork, genetics, evidence synthesis. · Recommendation CER
Open myPLTW and locate any Lesson 2.3 New to the Practice recommendation or CER-writing activity to use as a writing guide.
Platform prompts should be done in the first 15 minutes; the CER is today's main product.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Students write a CER that recommends a diagnosis and next steps from synthesized evidence.
- State a claim naming the most likely diagnosis for the patient.
- Cite specific history, vital, lab, and genetic evidence that support the claim.
- Explain reasoning that connects each evidence point to the diagnosis.
- Recommend confirmatory tests or referrals to reduce remaining uncertainty.
- Name assumptions and limitations that could change the recommendation.
CER: CER with a specific diagnostic claim, multi-source evidence from the workup, reasoning linking each evidence point to the claim, a next-steps recommendation, and one stated limitation.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| State a claim naming the most likely diagnosis for the patient. | _______ |
| Cite specific history, vital, lab, and genetic evidence that support the claim. | _______ |
| Explain reasoning that connects each evidence point to the diagnosis. | _______ |
| Recommend confirmatory tests or referrals to reduce remaining uncertainty. | _______ |
| Name assumptions and limitations that could change the recommendation. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Write a CER with a clear diagnostic claim and multi-source evidence.
- Recommend appropriate next steps and state at least one limitation.
Resources & readings
Hand-picked materials for this lesson. Class file items open the document directly; the rest are vetted readings and interactives from other biomedical programs.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your CER.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
NIH MedlinePlus Lab TestsOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Wed, Nov 4, 2026 · Recommendation CER here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
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