Red Flags

Question 1

Constipation

Answer 1

Blood in stool
Rectal bleeding
Unintentional weight loss
FH colorectal cancer

Question 2

Abdominal Pain

Answer 2

Severe pain
Signs of shock (eg, tachycardia, hypotension, 
diaphoresis, confusion)
Abdominal distention
Progressive vomiting
Lightheadedness on standing
Acute onset of pain
Pain that progresses in intensity over hours
Involuntary guarding 
Progressive abdomen distention
Orthostatic hypotension 
Fever
Leukocytosis and granulocytosis
Decreased urine output

Question 3

Headache

Answer 3

Confusion/altered mental state
Sudden onset of severe headache w neurological signs
Stiff neck
Syncope
History of trauma
Fever
Thunderclap headache

Question 4

Fever

Answer 4

Unintentional weight loss
Night sweats
Severe headache
Skin rash
Stiff neck or pain when bending forwards
Confusion
Persistent vomiting
Dyspnea w chest pain
Abdominal pain or dysuria 
Convulsion/seizures

Question 5

Unintentional weight loss/gain

Answer 5

Weight loss - (Cancer)
Fever 
Fatigue
Night sweats
Loss of appetite 

Weight Gain - (DM)
Polyuria (excessive urination)
Polyphagia (excessive eating)
Polydipsia (extreme thirst)

Question 6

Lower Extremity Limb Pain

Answer 6

DVT risk factors
Recent injury/trauma
Head of femur pain (Avascular necrosis)

Question 7

Upper Extremity Limb Pain

Answer 7

Recent injury/Trauma
Severe pain, burning, numbness (Acute compartment syndrome)
Unrelenting diffuse pain at night, fever, weight loss (Bone cancer, infection, osteomyelitis)
Scaphoid pain (Fracture can limit blood flow to whole hand)

Question 8

Chest pain

Answer 8

Acute onset
History of trauma 
N/V
SOB
Blood in sputum 
Smoking
History of HTN, CVD, MI

FLASHED - Family history, lipids, age (55 M / 45 F), HTN, exercise, diabetes, diet

Question 9

Syncope

Answer 9

History of heart disease
SOB
Palpitations
Loss of consciousness during/after exercise

Question 10

Cough

Answer 10

Fever
Respiratory distress
Hemoptysis
Altered level of consciousness

CURB-65 (Confusion, BUN, RR > 30, BP < 90/60, 65YO)

Question 11

Dyspnea

Answer 11

Acute onset
Itching/swelling (throat/body)
Eating/drinking with onset
Recent bedrest/prolonged sitting (plane)
Recent surgery
History of DVT, clotting disorders
Recent fracture/trauma 
PE/DVT symptoms
Anaphylaxis symptoms