Symptom checking

Symptom Check-List After recovery, the volunteer rates himself 0, 1 or 2 on about... 

Rief, W., Fichter, M. The Symptom Check List SCL-90-R and its ability to discriminate between dysthymia, anxiety- disorders, and anorexia nervosa. Psychopathology 25<3), 128-138. 1992. 

It is important at the outset of therapy to identify and document the specific target symptoms for pharmacotherapy. Rating scales may be used to measure symptom severity, and a baseline determination is indicated if these tools are used (e.g., L eyton Obsessional Inventory, Symptom Check List 90-OC, and the National Institutes of Mental Health Global Scale). The most widely used scale is the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). ... 

Vent and purge lines Procedure to indicate how to check if fully purged Ensure training covers symptoms of pressure in line Line pressure indicator at controls. Interlock device on line pressure. 

An ongoing assessment is important in evaluating the patient s response to therapy, such as a decrease in temperature, the relief of symptoms caused by the infection (eg, pain or discomfort), an increase in appetite, and a change in the appearance or amount of drainage (when originally present). The nurse notifies the primany health care provider if symptoms of the infection appear to worsen. The nurse checks the patient s skin regularly for rash and is alert for any loose stools or diarrhea... 

The rate of infusion is checked every 15 minutes and adjusted as needed. This is especially important when administering vancomycin because rapid infusion of the drug can result in severe hypotension and shock. The nurse inspects the vein used for the IV infusion every 4 to 8 hours for signs of tenderness, pain, and redness (which may indicate phlebitis or thrombophlebitis). If these symptoms are apparent, the nurse restarts the IV in another vein and bring the problem to the attention of the primary health care provider. 

If the patient has a DVT, it usually occurs in a lower extremity. The nurse examines the extremity for color and skin temperature The nurse also checks for a pedal pulse, noting the rate and strength of the pulse. It is important to record any difference between the affected extremity and the unaffected extremity. The nurse notes areas of redness or tenderness and asks the patient to describe current symptoms. The affected extremity may appear edematous and exhibit a positive Homans sign (pain in the calf when the foot is dorsiflexed). A positive Homans sign is suggestive of DVT. 

Six months later, RB s mother brings her back for a check-up. The patient has been using her albuterol inhaler 3 to 4 times a week to treat symptoms, and she is waking up about twice a month with shortness of breath. She has developed a sore mouth. White patches on the back of her tongue and the inside of her cheek are observed on examination. 

Monitor for symptoms of neutropenia (e.g., fever or sore throat), and check white blood cell count if symptoms occur. 

Enlarged prostate on digital rectal exam check for prostate nodules or induration, which would suggest prostate cancer instead of benign prostatic hyperplasia as the cause of the patient s voiding symptoms... 

Check the patient s general health including previous surgery, presence of diabetes mellitus, or medications that may cause or worsen voiding symptoms. 

Urinalysis to rule out infection as a cause of the patient s voiding symptoms also check urinalysis for microscopic hematuria, which typically accompanies benign prostatic hyperplasia. 

A 56-year-old man presents to the emergency room with complaints of right lower leg pain and redness. Examining his leg, you notice that he has erythema and edema extending from his ankle to proximal tibia. The area feels warm. On questioning, the patient states that the redness started approximately 2 days ago. He has felt feverish over the previous 48 hours but did not check his temperature. He has had no other symptoms. He states that he bumped his shin on the bed frame last week and sustained a bruise but no apparent breaks in the skin. His vital signs at the clinic reveal a temperature of 38.3°C, pulse 102 beats per minute, blood pressure 11 0/72 mm Hg, and respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute. The physician diagnoses this patient with cellulitis. 

Inability to resolve an infection may indicate a mixed infection, infection due to a non-albicans strain, or an infection that is not fungal. Difficulty treating WC can also be indicative of serious underlying conditions, such as diabetes or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. For these reasons, if infection does not resolve easily with a single course of antifungal therapy or if symptoms return within 2 months, practitioners should check cultures and further evaluate the patient s health status or refer the patient to a physician. 

While the press doesn t treat these news items like OJ Simpson, the sex scandal in Belgium may be a symptom that people are ready for the truth about some of their missing children. It began in 1993 when convicted rapist, car thief and arms dealer, Marc Dutroux, was building a room in his cellar to hold children he kidnapped. Police checked it out, but believed that Dutroux was using the cellar as a drainage system for the house. 

Time of symptom onset well established to be less than 180 minutes before treatment would begin Exclusion Criteria (all NO boxes must be checked before treatment)... 

Strength Initial evacuees treated and vital signs monitored at decon check points established by Fire Department additional treatment station established at GVW Fire Department Station 2. Medical communications regarding signs/symptoms were clear and accurate. Haz-Mat/EMT/First Responder training conducted by GVW Fire Department now includes discussion of appropriate actions to this event. 

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