Chest pain physical examination: Difference between revisions
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Physical examination should focus on evaluating for the life-threatening causes of chest pain first. A complete physical exam should be done, which includes a thorough cardiac, lung, and abdominal exam. | Physical examination should focus on evaluating for the life-threatening causes of chest pain first. A complete physical exam should be done, which includes a thorough cardiac, lung, and abdominal exam. | ||
==Physical Examination== | |||
===Vitals=== | |||
* Temperature (pericarditis, pleuritis, fever can precipitate ischemic attacks) | * Temperature (pericarditis, pleuritis, fever can precipitate ischemic attacks) | ||
* Absent or decreased pulses in limbs (aortic dissection all four limbs), tachycardia (pulmonary embolism) | * Absent or decreased pulses in limbs (aortic dissection all four limbs), tachycardia (pulmonary embolism) | ||
* Blood pressure in both the arms (aortic dissection) | * Blood pressure in both the arms (aortic dissection) | ||
===Neck=== | |||
* Elevated [[jugular venous pulse]] | * Elevated [[jugular venous pulse]] | ||
===Cardiovascular=== | |||
* Auscultation | * Auscultation | ||
** Third and fourth heart sound | ** Third and fourth heart sound | ||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
** [[Pericardial rub]] ([[pericarditis]]) | ** [[Pericardial rub]] ([[pericarditis]]) | ||
** Murmur (systoloic murmur in [[Hypertrohic cardiomyopathy]], [[aortic stenosis]]) | ** Murmur (systoloic murmur in [[Hypertrohic cardiomyopathy]], [[aortic stenosis]]) | ||
====Pulmonary==== | |||
* [[Palpation]] - shift in trachea from midline (tension pneumothorax) | * [[Palpation]] - shift in trachea from midline (tension pneumothorax) | ||
* [[Auscultation]] - Decreased breath sound (pulmonary edema), pleural rub (pleuritis, pneumonia) | * [[Auscultation]] - Decreased breath sound (pulmonary edema), pleural rub (pleuritis, pneumonia) | ||
===Gastrointestinal=== | |||
*Inspection, palpation and auscultation to evaluate for gastrointestinal etiologies of chest pain | *Inspection, palpation and auscultation to evaluate for gastrointestinal etiologies of chest pain | ||
* Rectal | * Rectal examination - occult bleeding ([[peptic ulcers]]) | ||
===Central Nervous System=== | |||
* Cerebrovascular accidents (aortic dissection) | * Cerebrovascular accidents (aortic dissection) | ||
* [[Paraplegia]] | * [[Paraplegia]] | ||
Revision as of 15:15, 21 January 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Physical examination should focus on evaluating for the life-threatening causes of chest pain first. A complete physical exam should be done, which includes a thorough cardiac, lung, and abdominal exam.
Physical Examination
Vitals
- Temperature (pericarditis, pleuritis, fever can precipitate ischemic attacks)
- Absent or decreased pulses in limbs (aortic dissection all four limbs), tachycardia (pulmonary embolism)
- Blood pressure in both the arms (aortic dissection)
Neck
- Elevated jugular venous pulse
Cardiovascular
- Auscultation
- Third and fourth heart sound
- Carotid bruit
- Pericardial rub (pericarditis)
- Murmur (systoloic murmur in Hypertrohic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis)
Pulmonary
- Palpation - shift in trachea from midline (tension pneumothorax)
- Auscultation - Decreased breath sound (pulmonary edema), pleural rub (pleuritis, pneumonia)
Gastrointestinal
- Inspection, palpation and auscultation to evaluate for gastrointestinal etiologies of chest pain
- Rectal examination - occult bleeding (peptic ulcers)
Central Nervous System
- Cerebrovascular accidents (aortic dissection)
- Paraplegia