Signs and symptoms Flashcards
What is the difference between signs and symptoms?
Signs are objective, observable by others, and measurable (e.g., rash, high BP), while symptoms are subjective and only experienced by the patient (e.g., pain, nausea).
Give examples of signs.
Bleeding, bruising, swollen lymph nodes, abnormal blood pressure, irregular heart rate, skin rashes, finger clubbing, abnormal lab results (e.g., low eGFR).
What are anamnestic signs?
Signs that indicate past diseases, such as skin scars from acne.
What are pathognomonic signs?
Signs that specifically indicate a certain disease, e.g., certain microbes confirming an infection.
What are diagnostic signs?
Signs that help identify diseases, e.g., elevated PSA levels suggesting prostate cancer.
What are prognostic signs?
Signs that predict future outcomes, such as tumor characteristics indicating survival rates.
Give examples of symptoms.
Burning during urination, fatigue, headache, nausea, chest pain, anxiety, tinnitus.
What are remitting symptoms?
Symptoms that improve or resolve completely, such as in an eye infection.
What are relapsing symptoms?
Symptoms that return after appearing to resolve, like in depression.
What are chronic symptoms?
Long-term, ongoing symptoms such as those in COPD.
Define acute conditions.
Conditions with a sudden onset, short-term duration (less than 6 months), and eventual resolution, e.g., acute infections.
Define chronic conditions.
Conditions with a slow onset, lasting over 6 months, potentially worsening over time, e.g., diabetes.
What is differential diagnosis?
A systematic method to identify the correct diagnosis among several possibilities using patient signs and symptoms.
List tools used in differential diagnosis.
Medical history, drug history, physical exam, mental state exam, lab data, imaging, family history, NICE CKS.
What is the purpose of patient medical history in differential diagnosis?
It provides details about patient characteristics, complaints, past and social history to aid in diagnosis.
What information is gathered in a patient drug history?
Details about medications, allergies, OTC drugs, and compliance.
What is assessed in a physical examination?
Body abnormalities, vital signs, and overall physical health.
What does a mental state examination include?
Appearance, behavior, mood, cognition, and risk factor assessments.
Name a useful resource for differential diagnosis in primary care.
NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS).
What is the WWHAM mnemonic used for?
For collecting info in pharmacies: Who, What, How long, Action taken, Medication.
What does the SIT DOWN SIR mnemonic stand for?
Site, Intensity, Type, Duration, Onset, With other symptoms, Annoyed, Spread, Incidence, Relieved.
Why is recognizing signs and symptoms important in pharmacy?
It ensures accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, and patient safety.
Why should pharmacists know their limits in diagnosis?
To ensure appropriate referral to other healthcare professionals when necessary.
