General Red Flags

Question 1

What are the red flags that could indicate an infection?

Answer 1

Systemic red flags:
fever, sweats (especially night sweats), chills

Vulnerable populations:
immuno-compromised

Exposure to risk:
Penetrating wound, exposure to infection

Question 2

What are the red flags that could indicate a serious neurological pathology?

Answer 2

Progressive neurological symptoms in limbs
Changes to speech, vision, and/or hearing
Aura lasting over 1 hour

Question 3

What are the red flags that could indicate a malignancy?

Answer 3

Pain:
at multiple sites, at rest, night pain

Systemic:
Night sweats, unexplained weight loss, failure to improve

Other:
history (personal or family) of malignancy, risk factors for malignancy

Question 4

What are the red flags that could indicate a CVD pathology?

Answer 4

Cardiorespiratory SSX:
Palpitations, tachycardia, SOB, dyspnoea

Systemic:
Pallor, sweating, nausea / vomiting

Neuro:
Mental state changes

SSX ARE AGGRAVATED BY ACTIVITY

Question 5

Which substances pose a high risk factor for serious pathologies?

Answer 5

Cocaine
Methamphetamines
Corticosteroids

Question 6

What are the 5 types of general red flags?

Answer 6

CVD red flags
Infection red flags
Malignancy red flags
Neurological red flags
Onset and populations red flags

Question 7

Pain at rest, pain at multiple sites, night pain and/or pain failing to improve are red flags that could indicate what type of pathology?

Answer 7

A malignant tumour.

Question 8

Heart palpitations, nausea / vomiting, shortness of breath and sweating are red flags that could indicate what type of pathology?

Answer 8

A cardiovascular pathology