๐ab-DOM-in-al payn
Always consider extra-abdominal causes, particularly atypical myocardial infarction in the elderly, and systematically rule out ectopic pregnancy in any female of childbearing age presenting with lowe
๐al-byoo-min-YOO-ree-ah
Quantify albuminuria using the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) on a first-morning spot urine sample, as it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease
๐ah-NOO-ree-ah
Anuria is kidneys making no urine or flow fully blocked and demands emergency retention check with cause relief.
๐ah-SY-teez
Always calculate the serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG); a gradient โฅ 11 g/L (1.1 g/dL) strongly indicates portal hypertension as the cause with 97% accuracy.
๐brah-dee-KAR-dee-ah
Always assess for haemodynamic instability โ the numerical heart rate matters less than the patient's perfusion status, blood pressure, and level of consciousness.
๐CHEST payn
Always assume acute chest pain is caused by a life-threatening condition (acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, or tension pneumothorax) until definitively proven otherwise.
๐KLUHB-ing
Bilateral clubbing in an adult without a previously known cause is highly suspicious for thoracic malignancy and mandates an urgent chest X-ray.
๐KOH-mah
Always secure the airway first and immediately rule out reversible causes like hypoglycaemia, hypoxia, and opiate overdose.
๐kon-stih-PAY-shun
Constipation is slow or blocked stool transit with hard infrequent passage that reflects habit, drugs or outlet fault until red flags are cleared.
๐krep-ih-TAY-shuns
Differentiate fine, late-inspiratory crepitations (typical of pulmonary fibrosis or early heart failure) from coarse, early-inspiratory crepitations (characteristic of bronchiectasis or severe pulmona
๐sy-ah-NO-sis
Central cyanosis (involving the tongue and oral mucosa) always indicates systemic arterial desaturation or an abnormal haemoglobin species and requires immediate administration of high-flow oxygen and
๐dy-ah-REE-ah
The primary immediate threat in acute diarrhoea is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, making oral or intravenous fluid replacement the most critical initial intervention.
๐DIJ-i-tal KLUB-ing
Assess for digital clubbing by checking the Lovibond angle and the Schamroth's window test, as its presence strongly warrants investigation for underlying cardiopulmonary or gastrointestinal malignanc
๐dis-PEP-see-uh
Dyspepsia is meal-linked upper-belly pain and fullness from sensitive or injured lining that needs alarm sorting with cause care.
๐dis-FAY-juh
Dysphagia is faulty swallow transit from mouth to stomach that risks choking and poor intake until site and cause are typed.
๐disp-NEE-ah
Dyspnoea is always subjective โ a normal oxygen saturation or respiratory rate does not invalidate it.
๐fah-TEEG
Always distinguish fatigue from excessive sleepiness, dyspnoea, or objective muscle weakness, as each of these points to an entirely different diagnostic pathway.
๐HEE-ma-TEM-e-sis
Haematemesis is vomited blood from upper gut that signals major bleed until shock and varices are ruled out.
๐hee-muh-TYOO-ree-uh
Haematuria is blood leaking anywhere along the urinary tract that marks infection, stone, tumour or filter injury until proven otherwise.
๐hee-MOP-tih-sis
Haemoptysis is blood from lungs or airways that marks airway, lung or vessel injury and can block breathing when brisk.
๐HED-ayk
Always systematically screen for 'red flag' symptoms to rule out life-threatening secondary causes before diagnosing a benign primary headache disorder.
๐hep-ah-toh-MEG-ah-lee
Always assess the character of the enlarged liver edge (smooth, nodular, tender, pulsatile), as these physical features provide immediate diagnostic clues differentiating congestion, inflammation, and
๐hy-poh-TEN-shun
Hypotension is only clinically significant when it causes symptoms of organ hypoperfusion, such as altered mental status, oliguria, or cold peripheries.
๐JAWN-dis
Always look at the sclera first โ jaundice is visible in the sclerae at lower bilirubin levels than in the skin, making it the earliest and most reliable clinical sign.