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Physical Examination: Difference between revisions
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====General appearance in severe disease==== | ====General appearance in severe disease==== | ||
*Signs of acute life threatening disease which need acute intervention to avert death. First important symptom is the colour of the face and skin which could be pallor or cyanotic as a sign of diminished circulation and/or respiration. Furthermore, the respiratory pattern and rate should be assessed for severe signs such as slow and irregular pattern, an audible rasp breathing with foam around the mouth, or in some cases a very fast and superficial breathing pattern. Additionally, the absence or a very weak pulsation could also be a sign of an acute life threatening disease. (For more detailed assessment of the pulse please notice the paragraph on this topic [http://www.textbookofcardiology.org/wiki/Physical_Examination#Pulse]) Be aware that these symptoms can be apparent, but there absence does not rule out an acute life threatening disease. | *Signs of acute life threatening disease which need acute intervention to avert death. First important symptom is the colour of the face and skin which could be pallor or cyanotic as a sign of diminished circulation and/or respiration. Furthermore, the respiratory pattern and rate should be assessed for severe signs such as slow and irregular pattern, an audible rasp breathing with foam around the mouth, or in some cases a very fast and superficial breathing pattern. Additionally, the absence or a very weak pulsation could also be a sign of an acute life threatening disease. (For more detailed assessment of the pulse please notice the paragraph on this topic [http://www.textbookofcardiology.org/wiki/Physical_Examination#Pulse]) Be aware that these symptoms can be apparent, but there absence does not rule out an acute life threatening disease. | ||
*Signs of severe diseases which are life threatening demands a similar approach with special attention to face colour, respiration and pulse. The face colour can be pallor, cyanotic or red. Respiration can be fast and superficial, often a sign of severe disease. The pulse is also important in case of severe disease, for more information see [ | *Signs of severe diseases which are life threatening demands a similar approach with special attention to face colour, respiration and pulse. The face colour can be pallor, cyanotic or red. Respiration can be fast and superficial, often a sign of severe disease. The pulse is also important in case of severe disease, for more information see [http://www.textbookofcardiology.org/wiki/Physical_Examination#Pulse]. Furthermore it is important to assess signs of lowered degree of consciousness, emaciation, high body temperature and agitation. | ||
====Body position==== | ====Body position==== | ||