red flags signs and symtpoms

Question 1

cauda equina

Answer 1

pins and needles
loss of feeling in the saddle area
numbness near buttocks
urinary and faecal retention/incontinence
sexual dysfunction
bilateral neurogenic sciatica

Question 2

fractures

Answer 2

pain
deformity
oedema
loss of function
muscle spasm/ atrophy
abnormal movement
shock
bleeding/bruising

Question 3

fractures from osteoarthritis

Answer 3

loss of height
difficulty lying
high pain
low level trauma

Question 4

cancer

Answer 4

muscle spasm
fever
neurological symptoms
insidious onset

Question 5

discitis

Answer 5

general unwell feeling
insidious onset
pain on movement
fever and night sweats
weight loss
changes in mobility
signs of spinal cord/root compression

Question 6

CAD non ischaemic

Answer 6

head/neck pain
horners syndrome
pulsatile tinnitus
cranial nerve palses
scalp tenderness
neck swelling
cervical VI palsy
orbital pain
anhidrosis

Question 7

CAD ischaemic

Answer 7

TIA
ischaemic stroke (usually MCA)
retinal infarction (death of eye tissue)
amaurosis fugax (loss of vision in both eyes)

Question 8

deep vein thrombosis

Answer 8

postitve homans sign
pain
redness and heat
swelling uni/bilateral
tenderness

Question 9

5Ds and 3Ns

Answer 9

dizziness
diplopia
dysarthria
dysphagia
drop attacks
nausea
nystagmus
facial numbness
progressive pain in neck/head

Question 10

what does dysarthria mean

Answer 10

difficulty speaking

Question 11

what does dysphagia mean

Answer 11

difficulty swallowing

Question 12

what are the general treatments for red flags

Answer 12

surgical intervention
A&E referral
urgent imaging
referral to GP
oncologist referral
graduation of compression socks