systemic enquiry

Question 1

Common systemic symptoms to ask about

Answer 1

Fevers
Night sweats
Weight change
Fatigue

Question 2

Cardiovascular symptoms

Answer 2

Chest pain
Palpitations
SOB
Dyspnoea
Pre-syncope, Syncope
Cyanosis
Orthopnoea - lie flat, pillow use
Peripheral oedema
Claudication - pain on walking

Question 3

Respiratory symptoms

Answer 3

Dyspnoea
Cough
Sputum
Wheeze
Haemoptysis
Pleuritic chest pain
Breast - lumps, bleeding, discharge

Question 4

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Answer 4

Appetite change
Nausea
Vomiting
Dyspepsia
Dysphagia
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Abdominal distension
Jaundice
Changes in bowel habit: constipation, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, melaena, hematochezia

Question 5

Genitourinary symptoms

Answer 5

Changes in urine output or colour: oliguria, polyuria, anuria, dark urine, haematuria

Infective symptoms: urinary frequency, dysuria, flank pain, offensive discharge, pelvic pain

Bladder control symptoms: urinary urgency, urinary incontinence

Obstructive symptoms: terminal dribbling, nocturia

Uraemic symptoms: fatigue, nausea, anorexia, pruritis

Question 6

Neurological symptoms

Answer 6

Visual symptoms: blurred vision, changes in colour vision, sudden loss of vision, floaters

Headache: unilateral headache, bilateral headache, thunderclap headache

Motor or sensory disturbance: muscle weakness, numbness, paraesthesia

Loss of consciousness including seizures

Confusion

Question 7

Musculoskeletal symptoms

Answer 7

Bone and joint pain
Muscular pain
Trauma

Question 8

Dermatological symptoms

Answer 8

Rashes
Skin lesions
Skin colour changes
Ulcers