What female genital symptoms are important to inquire about?
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Menstrual regularity, bleeding patterns, menopausal symptoms, and dyspareunia.
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What female genital symptoms are important to inquire about?
Menstrual regularity, bleeding patterns, menopausal symptoms, and dyspareunia.
What psychiatric symptoms should be assessed?
Nervousness, tension, mood changes, depression, memory changes, suicidal ideation, and suicide plans or attempts.
What is the duty of confidentiality in medical ethics?
Maintaining the privacy of patient information.
What does the OPQRST acronym help to assess?
It helps to assess the characteristics of a patient's symptoms.
What is the purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS)?
To document the presence or absence of common symptoms related to each major body system.
How can nonverbal communication enhance patient interaction?
Using posture, gestures, and eye contact can encourage the patient to continue sharing their story.
What is the core value of medical ethics that emphasizes respecting a patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions?
Respect for Autonomy.
What is decisional capacity?
The ability to make an autonomous choice that clinicians should respect.
What is the purpose of 'signposting' transitions during a patient interview?
To prepare patients for what comes next and put them at ease.
How can you validate a patient's emotional experience?
By acknowledging their feelings and expressing understanding, such as saying, 'Your accident must have been terrifying.'
What should be included in the Past Medical History?
Adult illnesses with dates in medical, surgical, obstetric/gynecologic, and psychiatric categories, along with health maintenance practices, medications, and allergies.
What urinary symptoms are relevant in a health history?
Frequency, urgency, burning during urination, and blood in urine.
What technique can be used to share power with patients?
Eliciting and validating emotional content.
How has the addition of respect for autonomy changed the clinician-patient relationship?
It shifted from a paternalistic relationship to a more collaborative one.
What is informed consent?
The principle that clinicians must obtain voluntary and informed authorization from patients before testing or treating them.
What personal and social history factors are important?
History of tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drug use, sexual history, educational level, family of origin, current household, personal interests, and lifestyle.
What are some techniques of guided questioning?
Moving from open-ended to focused questions, eliciting graded responses, and clarifying what the patient means.
What are some systemic symptoms associated with joint pain?
Fever, chills, rash, anorexia, weight loss, or weakness.
What does Family History document?
Hereditary conditions and medical issues in close relatives, including age and health or cause of death of family members.
What general symptoms should be assessed in the ROS?
Usual weight, recent weight change, weakness, fatigue, or fever.
What neck-related symptoms should be assessed?
Swollen glands, goiter, lumps, pain, or stiffness in the neck.
What does a positive CAGE Questionnaire indicate?
Lifetime alcohol abuse and dependence alcohol use disorders (AUD).
How should chronic symptoms be considered when prioritizing patient complaints?
They should be considered in contrast to acute symptoms.
What are common breast symptoms to inquire about?
Lumps, pain or discomfort, and nipple discharge.
How can you orient a patient during the transition to discussing past health?
By using brief transitional phrases like 'Now I’d like to ask some questions about your past health.'
What HEENT symptoms should be evaluated?
Headaches, vision issues, ear problems, nasal issues, and throat conditions.
What is the role of an ideal interpreter in healthcare?
To act as a 'cultural navigator' who is neutral and trained in both languages and cultures.
What does OLD CARTS stand for?
Onset, Location, Duration, Aggravating or alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, Setting.
What is 'people-first' language?
A way to avoid stigmatizing language, e.g., saying 'person who uses drugs' instead of 'drug abuser.'
What is the purpose of active listening in patient interactions?
To facilitate, direct, and structure the interaction by attending to what the patient is communicating and connecting to their emotional state.
Why should healthcare providers avoid yes-no questions?
They can make the patient feel restricted and passive, leading to a significant loss of detail in their responses.
Why is it important to make clinical reasoning transparent to the patient?
It helps patients understand the rationale behind recommendations and fosters trust.
What is the principle of non-maleficence?
To 'do no harm' and avoid causing harm to the patient.
What is the chief complaint in a health history?
The primary symptom or concern causing the patient to seek care.
What should you do if you feel discomfort discussing sensitive topics?
Consciously acknowledge your discomfort.
What is the first step in prioritizing patient complaints?
Prioritize life-threatening conditions such as chest pain or difficulty breathing.
What peripheral vascular symptoms should be considered?
Intermittent leg pain, swelling, color changes in extremities, and past clots.
What is one way to empower patients during healthcare visits?
Encouraging them to ask questions and express their concerns.
What neurologic changes should be noted during an assessment?
Changes in mood, attention, speech, orientation, memory, insight, judgment, headache, dizziness, weakness, paralysis, numbness, tingling, tremors, or seizures.
How should patient positioning be adjusted during a physical exam?
Based on the exam type, e.g., seated for respiratory exam, supine for abdominal exam.
What does each letter in OPQRST represent?
Onset, Precipitating and palliating factors, Quality, Region or radiation, Severity, Timing.
When is reassurance most appropriate?
When the patient feels that problems have been fully understood and are being addressed.
What is the effect of echoing or repetition in patient communication?
It encourages the patient to elaborate on details and feelings, demonstrating careful listening.
What does beneficence mean in the context of medical ethics?
Acting in the best interest of the patient.
What does truth telling entail in the clinician's role?
Disclosing information beyond what is required by informed consent that may be relevant to patients.
What is the single most important rule when broaching sensitive topics?
To be nonjudgmental.
What gastrointestinal symptoms are important to evaluate?
Trouble swallowing, heartburn, changes in bowel habits, and abdominal pain.
What male genital symptoms should be assessed?
Hernias, discharge, testicular pain, and history of sexually transmitted infections.
What should you do when you reach the limits of your knowledge during a patient interaction?
Reveal those limits to the patient.
What is the significance of active listening in patient interviews?
It lies at the heart of the patient interview and involves specific skills that enhance communication.
What is the first step to effective reassurance?
Identifying and acknowledging the patient’s feelings.
What types of urgent concerns should be addressed first?
Concerns like fever or unexplained weight loss.
What respiratory symptoms should be assessed?
Cough, sputum characteristics, shortness of breath, wheezing, and pleuritic pain.
What is guided questioning?
A technique to elicit more information without interrupting the flow of the patient’s story, showing sustained interest in their feelings.
What musculoskeletal symptoms should be evaluated?
Muscle or joint pain, stiffness, and any limitations in motion or activity.
What hematologic symptoms may indicate a problem?
Anemia, easy bruising, or bleeding.
What should you pay attention to in nonverbal communication?
Eye contact, facial expression, posture, head position, and interpersonal distance.
What cardiovascular issues should be noted?
Chest pain, palpitations, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and edema.
What is the importance of expressing commitment to an ongoing relationship with patients?
It helps build rapport and assures patients that their care will continue.
What endocrine symptoms should be evaluated?
Heat or cold intolerance, excessive sweating, thirst, hunger, or urine output.
Why should professional interpreters be preferred over family members?
To ensure accurate communication and avoid potential biases.
What can happen if a healthcare provider loses concentration during a patient’s story?
They may drift into thinking about their next question or possible diagnoses, losing focus on the patient's narrative.
What skin-related symptoms should be included in the ROS?
Rashes, lumps, sores, itching, dryness, changes in color, hair or nails, and changes in size or color of moles.
What is the general sequence of a physical examination?
Inspection → Palpation → Percussion → Auscultation.
How can you promote a sense of connection with a patient?
By acknowledging their feelings, e.g., saying 'You seem upset today.'
What are the four questions of the CAGE Questionnaire?
C: Cut down on drinking, A: Annoyed by criticism of drinking, G: Guilty about drinking, E: Eye-opener (using alcohol first thing in the morning).
What does justice in medical ethics refer to?
Treating patients fairly and distributing healthcare resources equitably.
What does HPI stand for and what does it amplify?
HPI stands for History of Present Illness and amplifies the Chief Complaint.
How can one obtain a professional interpreter?
Through hospital resources or contracted interpreter services.
Why is it important to explain why you need certain information from patients?
It makes patients less apprehensive.