Minor ailment referral Flashcards
1
Q
Cold
A
- Severe earache
- Vulnerable pt groups e.g. elderly, very young, coronary disease, pulmonary disease and asthma
- Persistent cough and pyrexia
- Unexplained SOB
Risk of further complications in the infection; asthma; COPD (….)
2
Q
Cough
A
- Duration of 2 weeks with no improvements
- Chest pain
- SOB
- Wheezing
- Recurrent nocturnal coughing (asthma?)
- Whooping cough/croup
- Potential pharmacologically caused coughing (ACEi, β-blockers)
- Yellow, green, brown/blood stained phlegm or sputum
- Offensive or foul smelling phlegm/sputum
Lung disease (cancer, asthma, COPD), CHD, pulmonary infection (….)
3
Q
Sore throat
A
- Dysphagia
- Symptoms lasting longer than 1 week
- Hoarseness longer than 3 weeks
- Sore throat w/ skin rash
- White spots, exudate or pus on tonsils w/ pyrexia & swollen glands
Tonsillitis, allergies, GORD, (….)
4
Q
Ear (wax)
A
- Foreign body present
- Pain
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Treatment failure
Otitis externa (itch, inflammation, discharge) – recent ear submersion, ruptured ear-drum
5
Q
Headache
A
- Recent head trauma/injury
- Children under 12
- Stiff neck, pyrexia or rash
- Sudden onset and/or severe pain
- Suspected pharmacological origin (oral contraceptive pills)
- Trouble with balance/dizziness, blackouts, visual disturbances or vomiting
- Recurrent
6
Q
Constipation
A
- Melaena
- Pain on defecation
- Suspected pharmacological origin (opiates, antidepressants)
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating
- Weight loss
- Failed treatment
- Change in bowel habits of more than 2 weeks
7
Q
Diarrhoea
A
- Persistent bowel habits changing
- Recent travelling abroad
- Presence of blood or mucous in stool
- Vomiting and fever
- Dehydration symptoms:- dry mouth, drowsiness/confusion, passing little/no urine, sunken fontanelle (soft spot of head in babies) and eyes
- Suspected pharmacological origin (antibiotics)
- Severe abdominal pain
8
Q
Dyspepsia
A
- Unexplained weight loss
- Suspected pharmacological origin (ferrous sulphate/NSAID use)
- Persistent vomiting
- Symptoms persisting for longer than 5 days/recurrent
- Melaena
- Severe pain
- Pain radiates to arm or elsewhere
- Symptoms being first recognised at ages 45≤
- Dysphagia
- Failed treatment
9
Q
Haemorrhoids
A
- Melaena
- Abdominal pain or vomiting
- Weight loss
- Persistent change in bowel habits
- Longer than 3 weeks
10
Q
Mouth ulcers
A
- Longer than 3 weeks duration
- Suspected pharmacological origin (NSAIDs)
- More than 5 ulcers in an area
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Involvement of other mucous membranes
11
Q
Cystitis
A
- Diabetics
- Immunocompromised
- Pregnant
- Men
- Children
- Elderly women
- Vaginal discharge
- Haematuria
- Pyrexia, N&V
- Flank tenderness or pain
- Recurrence
- Failed treatment
- Longer than 2 days
12
Q
Primary dysmenorrhoea
A
(Defined as painful menstruation)
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Heavy/unexplained bleeding
- Signs of systemic infection (pyrexia)
- Signs of secondary dysmenorrhoea
13
Q
Vaginal thrush
A
- Diabetics
- More than 2 incidences in the last 6 months
- Failed OTC treatment
- Pregnant
- Vulval/vaginal sores/blisters
- Vaginal discharge that is green-yellow or blood stained
- Foul smelling discharge
- Under 16 or older than 60
- No improvement in 1 week
- History of STD or exposure to partner known to have an STD
- Abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding
- Any associated lower abdominal pain or dysuria
14
Q
Athlete’s foot
A
- Lack of clinical response to treatment
- Nail involvement
- Spreading to other parts of foot
- Diabetic
- Bacterial involvement (weeping, pus, yellow crusting)
15
Q
Cold sores
A
- Longer than 2 weeks
- Mouth lesions
- Eyes are affected
- Immunocompromised
- Signs of secondary bacterial infection (weeping, pus, yellow crusting)
- Babies and children
- Severe widespread or worsening lesions
- Painless lesion
