Systemic enquiries

Question 1

CVD symptoms to ask for (8)

Answer 1

• chest pain
• SOB (rest/exertion)
• orthopnoea
• breathlessness at night (PND)
• palpitations
• peripheral oedema
• cold/blue peripheries
• claudication (pain in calves on walking)

Question 2

Resp symptoms to ask for (8)

Answer 2

• cough
• sputum (colour, volume)
• haemoptysis
• SOB
• wheeze
• fever, night sweats
• recent CXR
• breast (lumps, bleeding, discharge)

Question 3

GI symptoms to ask for (7)

Answer 3

• bloating, distension
• indigestion, heartburn
• dysphagia
• odynophagia
• weight changes
• bowel habits
• faecal incontinence

Question 4

Genitourinary symptoms to ask for (10)

Answer 4

• incontinence
• frequency & volume urination
• dysuria
• nocturia
• urine colour
• hesitancy, dribbling
• pain
• rashes, lumps
• cycle changes

Question 5

Neurological symptoms to ask for (13)

Answer 5

• headache
• vision, hearing
• dysphasia, dysarthria
• dizzy, vertigo
• faints, blackouts
• weakness
• numbness
• coordination problems
• walking, unsteadiness, falls
• sleep disturbances
• tremors
• concentration
• memory

Question 6

MSK symptoms to ask for (7)

Answer 6

• joint problems
• pain variation during the day
• symptom changes in cold
• dry mouth, red eyes
• fever, skin rashes, ulcers
• nodules/lumps
• back/neck pain

Question 7

Mental health symptoms to ask for (5)

Answer 7

• mood changes
• thoughts of self-harm
• memory/concentration problems
• hallucinations/delusions
• intellectual changes

Question 8

Endocrine symptoms to ask for (8)

Answer 8

• hot/cold environment preferences
• sweating
• fatigue
• hand trembling
• neck swelling
• weight changes
• thirst
• changes in urine volume/frequency

Question 9

Vascular symptoms to ask for (6)

Answer 9

• claudication presentation
• skin changes/ulceration
• cold hands/feet
• reduced exercise tolerance
• sensation changes
• swollen ankles