Confusion physical examination: Difference between revisions
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{{Confusion}} | {{Confusion}} | ||
{{CMG}} ; {{AE}} {{ADI}} | {{CMG}} ; {{AE}} {{ADI}} | ||
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==Physical examination== | ==Physical examination== | ||
===General Examination=== | |||
A comprehensive examination may be tough due to altered mental status of the patient. | |||
** General behavior | ** General behavior | ||
** Level of arousal | ** Level of arousal | ||
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** Presence of agitation, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety | ** Presence of agitation, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety | ||
* | ===Vital Signs=== | ||
** Cranial nerve examination : this is limited by uncooperative patients. Funduscopic examination helps in checking for papilledema or hemorrhages. Checking for gag reflex to ensure safe oral feeds and medications. | * Temperature : increase in temperature is significant for some infective foci. | ||
* Blood pressure : if decreased indicative of shock and hypoperfusion. | |||
* Pulse : if its increase it has to be correlated to raise in temperature. | |||
* Respiratory rate : there may be hyperventilation in few conditions due to anxiety, but in severe cases leading to coma respiratory rate may be compromised. | |||
===Neurologic=== | |||
* Cranial nerve examination : this is limited by uncooperative patients. Funduscopic examination helps in checking for papilledema or hemorrhages. Checking for gag reflex to ensure safe oral feeds and medications. | |||
* Motor examination : underlying brain disease | |||
* Gait evaluation : check for cerebellar lesion | |||
===Other=== | |||
* Skull fracture - trauma | |||
* Neck stiffness - meningitis | |||
* Lip erosions - ingestion of poisons | |||
* Indwelling catheters - sepsis | |||
* Tongue bites - seizures | |||
* Neck swelling - thyroid disease | |||
* Signs of liver failure | |||
* Excessive sweating - dehydration, hypoglycemia | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
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[[Category:Grammar]] | [[Category:Grammar]] | ||
[[Category:Neurology]] | |||
[[Category:Signs and symptoms]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | |||
[[Category:Psychiatry]] | |||
[[Category:Endocrinology]] | |||
[[Category:Grammar]] | |||
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]] | |||
Revision as of 18:50, 2 February 2013
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Confusion physical examination On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Confusion physical examination |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Confusion physical examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Physical examination in cases of confusion helps in localizing the lesion if the cause is from the brain. It even gives clues to the underlying cause of the disease. Complete neurological examination may not be done due to limitation of patient's condition.
Physical examination
General Examination
A comprehensive examination may be tough due to altered mental status of the patient.
- General behavior
- Level of arousal
- Alertness
- Language or speech defects
- Presence of agitation, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety
Vital Signs
- Temperature : increase in temperature is significant for some infective foci.
- Blood pressure : if decreased indicative of shock and hypoperfusion.
- Pulse : if its increase it has to be correlated to raise in temperature.
- Respiratory rate : there may be hyperventilation in few conditions due to anxiety, but in severe cases leading to coma respiratory rate may be compromised.
Neurologic
- Cranial nerve examination : this is limited by uncooperative patients. Funduscopic examination helps in checking for papilledema or hemorrhages. Checking for gag reflex to ensure safe oral feeds and medications.
- Motor examination : underlying brain disease
- Gait evaluation : check for cerebellar lesion
Other
- Skull fracture - trauma
- Neck stiffness - meningitis
- Lip erosions - ingestion of poisons
- Indwelling catheters - sepsis
- Tongue bites - seizures
- Neck swelling - thyroid disease
- Signs of liver failure
- Excessive sweating - dehydration, hypoglycemia