Evaluating a Symptom
Evaluating a Symptom - Flowchart Evaluating a Symptom Evaluating a Symptom
Flowchart

Question the patient to identify the symptom bothering him.

Question the patient to identify the symptom bothering him.

Question the patient to identify the symptom bothering him.

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Perform a focused physical examination to quickly determine the severity of the patient’s condition

Perform a focused physical examination to quickly determine the severity of the patient’s condition

Perform a focused physical examination to quickly determine the severity of the patient’s condition

Thoroughly examine the patient to evaluate the chief sign or symptom and to detect additional signs and symptoms.

Thoroughly examine the patient to evaluate the chief sign or symptom and to detect additional signs and symptoms.

Thoroughly examine the patient to evaluate the chief sign or symptom and to detect additional signs and symptoms.

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

No

No

No No

Take a brief history to gather more clues.

Take a brief history to gather more clues.

Take a brief history to gather more clues.

Take a thorough history to get an overview of the patient’s condition.Ask him about associated signs or symptoms.

Take a thorough history to get an overview of the patient’s condition.Ask him about associated signs or symptoms.

Take a thorough history to get an overview of the patient’s condition.Ask him about associated signs or symptoms.

Based on your findings, intervene appropriately to stabilize the patient.Notify the doctor immediately of the assessment findings and carry out the doctor’s orders.

Based on your findings, intervene appropriately to stabilize the patient.Notify the doctor immediately of the assessment findings and carry out the doctor’s orders.

Based on your findings, intervene appropriately to stabilize the patient.Notify the doctor immediately of the assessment findings and carry out the doctor’s orders.

After the patient’s condition is stabilized, review your findings to consider possible causes.

After the patient’s condition is stabilized, review your findings to consider possible causes.

After the patient’s condition is stabilized, review your findings to consider possible causes.

Evaluate your findings to consider
possible causes.

Evaluate your findings to consider
possible causes.

Evaluate your findings to consider
possible causes.


Devise an appropriate plan of care.

Devise an appropriate plan of care.

Devise an appropriate plan of care.

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

No

No

No No

Form a first impression. Does the patient’s condition alert you to an emergency?

Form a first impression. Does the patient’s condition alert you to an emergency?

Form a first impression. Does the patient’s condition alert you to an emergency?

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

No

No

No No

Evaluate your findings. Are emergency signs or symptoms present?

Evaluate your findings. Are emergency signs or symptoms present?

Evaluate your findings. Are emergency signs or symptoms present?

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

No

No

No No