Acute diarrhea physical examination
|
Acute Diarrhea Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Acute diarrhea physical examination On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Acute diarrhea physical examination |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Acute diarrhea physical examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Chandrakala Yannam, MD [2]
Overview
Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance]. Physical examination of patients with [disease name] is usually remarkable for [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
Common physical examination findings of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is diagnostic of [disease name].
OR
The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is highly suggestive of [disease name].
Physical Examination
- Physical examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
OR
- Physical examination of patients with [disease name] is usually remarkable for:[finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
- The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is diagnostic of [disease name].
- The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is highly suggestive of [disease name].
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with acute diarrhea may appear ill, dehydrated, or lethargic depending upon the seveority of diarrhea.
Vital Signs
Assessment of dehydration
- Dehydration is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diarrhea.
- Every patient with diarrhea should be assessed for signs, symptoms, and severity.
- Common findings on physical exam: Lethargy, depressed consciousness, diminshed skin turgor, sunken anterior fontanel, dry mucous membranes, sunken eyes, lack of tears, and delayed capillary refill are obvious and important signs of dehydration.
| Mild dehydration (<5%) | Moderate dehydration (5-10%) | Severe dehydration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Normal | Sunken | Very sunken |
| Mouth | Moist | Dry | Very dry |
| Tears | Present | Absent | Absent |
| Thirst | Normal | Thirsty | Poor |
Skin
- Skin examination of patients with diarrhea can be done by pinch test.
- If the skin on the thigh, calf, or forearm is pinched , it will immediately return to its normally flat state when the pinch is released in normal patients.
- Mild dehydration(0-5%): Pinch retracts immediately
- Moderate dehydration(5-10%): Pinch retracts slowly
- Severe dehydration(>10%): Pinch remain folded
Neck
- Neck examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
OR
- Jugular venous distension
- Carotid bruits may be auscultated unilaterally/bilaterally using the bell/diaphragm of the otoscope
- Lymphadenopathy (describe location, size, tenderness, mobility, and symmetry)
- Thyromegaly / thyroid nodules
- Hepatojugular reflux
Lungs
- Pulmonary examination of patients with Acute diarrhea is usually normal.
Heart
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia/ Bradycardia
Abdomen
- Abdominal distention
- Diffuse Abdominal tenderness
- Borborygmi
- Rebound abdominal tenderness
- Hepatospleenomegaly is associated with certain infections.
Genitourinary
- Perineal erythema
- In children mostly, frequent passage of stools cause perineal skin breakdown.
- Secondary carbohydrate malabsorption can cause acidic stools.
- Secondary bile acid malabsorption can result in diaper dermatitis that is severe, often characterized as a "burn."
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status
- Convulsions
- sunken anterior fontanel
Extremities
- Extremities examination of patients with [disease name] is usually normal.
OR
- Clubbing
- Cyanosis
- Pitting/non-pitting edema of the upper/lower extremities
- Muscle atrophy
- Fasciculations in the upper/lower extremity