Clinical skills: haematological history

Question 1

4 components of systems review questions?

Answer 1

RBCs
WBCs
Platelets
Systemic

Question 2

RBCs
- What questions to ask?

Answer 2

Anaemia
- Fatigue/weakness
- SOB
- Chest pain
- Postual dizziness

Polycythaemia
- Headache
- Pruritis

Question 3

WBCs
- What questions to ask?

Answer 3

• Recurrent/opportunistic infections
• Mouth ulcers
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Bone/abdominal pain

Question 4

Platelets
- What questions to ask?

Systemic
- What questions to ask?

Answer 4

Platelets
- Easy bleeding/bruising

Systemic
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Night sweats

Question 5

EXAM
Components?

Answer 5

Initial approach
General inspection
Vital signs
Arms (including epitrochlear and axillary lymph nodes)
Face (including cervical lymph nodes)
Bones
Abdomen
Legs (including popliteal lymph nodes)

Question 6

General inspection
- How to remember?
- What to look for?

Answer 6

Question 7

Arms
- What to look for?

Answer 7

Question 8

FACE
What to inspect for?

Answer 8

• Jaundice
• Anaemia
• Scleral haemorrhage
• Injection
• Fundi

Question 9

MOUTH
What to inspect for?

Answer 9

• Angular stomatitis
• Gingival hypertrophy + gingivitis
• Glossitis
• Mouth ulcers
• Bleeding

Question 10

FACE AND NECK
Additional exam?

Answer 10

Cervical lymph nodes

Question 11

BONES
What to examine?

Answer 11

Spine
Scapula
Clavicle
Sternum

Question 12

ABDOMEN
Inspects for?

Answer 12

• Distension
• Swelling
• Masses
• Scars
• Symmetry

Question 13

ABDOMEN
Palpate/percuss?

Answer 13

General - light and deep
Liver - palpate, percuss, measure
Spleen - palpate, percuss
Kidneys - ballot
Inguinal (not year A)
Para-aortic lymph nodes - palpate

Question 14

LEGS
Examine for?

Test for?

Additional thing?

Answer 14

Scratches
Bruises
Pigmentation

Pitting oedema
Neurological abnormalities - light and sharp touch

Popliteal lymph nodes