thyroid Flashcards
what signs might you notice on the patient’s hands
dry skin increased sweating thyroid acropachy palmer erythema tremor (using a piece of paper) tachycardia or bradycardia atrial fibrillation (hyper)
what might you notice on the face
dry skin
sweating
eyebrow loss
what might you see in the eyes
redness or inflammation of the conjunctiva
in what condition might eye movement be restricted or lid lag present
grave’s
what extra steps should you do on palpation
ask the patient to swallow water
ask patient to cough while you have your fingers over the thyroid
how should you describe the thyroid
size (goitre) symmetry consistency (smooth or nodular) masses palpable thrill (toxicosis)
how should you describe a mass
position shape tenderness consistency mobility
why might patients with graves have difficulty standing
proximal myopathy
what further tests could be done
thyroid function
ECG (if abnormal pulse or rhythm)
imaging (USS)
what reflex should you test
ankle
what should you do on general inspection
whole body inspection including face and legs
what should you do when inspecting the hands
inspect
palpate
tremor
radial pulse
what should you do when inspecting the face
look at face look at eyes (front, side and above) look for lid lag eye movements eye fields
what should you do on inspection of the neck
look for scars, symmetry and swelling
ask pt to protrude tongue and swallow water
how should you palpate the neck
palpate generally palpate thyroid -cricoid -isthmus -lobes -cervical lymph nodes
