History Taking

Question 1

what are three semicircular canals names:

Answer 1

Anterior/superior: when we nod our head
posterior: when head is down to our shoulders
Horizontal/lateral: from head side to side

Question 2

components of vestibular system:

Answer 2

utricle: to me to “u” so horizontal.
saccule: “slide” so up and down so vertical.

Question 3

what is the benefits of history taking?

Answer 3

Can help to diagnose – 80% of the diagnosis comes from the history. Helps to distinguish between differential diagnosis. don’t say dizzy.

Question 4

what are some examples of symptoms that patients say?

Answer 4

Walking on cotton wool
 Sinking into the floor
 Eyes are playing catch up (image is moving)
 Spinning
 Disorientated and imbalance
 Struggles to walk in the dark
 Veering off to one side – Unable to walk in a straight line
 Sensitive to light
 Unable to look over my right/left shoulder

Extreme symptoms: BLACKOUTS. (This should be referred)

Question 5

how to take the history?

Answer 5

Open ended questions
Accurate timeline
Off the cuff comments
Be patient – usually quite complicated and can take a while
Difficult to describe symptoms
Summarise

Question 6

what are key onset features of a history?

Answer 6

Onset? How long ago, did they have a cold at the time? Any accidents?
 Any presenting features? Headaches, nausea etc.
 Frequency? Every week, once every three times?
 What can cause it? E.g. looking up, rolling over in bed?
 How long does it last? E.g. seconds, minutes?
 What kind of sensation? E.g. spinning, swaying etc.
 Anything that coincides/changes ? E.g. tinnitus, changes to hearing
 Medical conditions?
 Any medications? E.g. anti-emetics (anti-sickness)