This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about painful swollen leg. Introduction You can divide causes of a painful swollen leg can be divided into unilateral vs bilateral and acute vs chronic. It is important to establish this early as it will alter the differentials that you will consider during your history taking. If pain is
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about abdominal pain. Introduction Causes of abdominal pain can range from surgical emergencies to mild self limiting gastroenteritis. Being able to take a thorough history to differentiate between possible causes is of vital importance. Presenting Complaint Site Consider the anatomy that is underlying the different regions of the abdomen
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about palpitations. Introduction Palpitations are an abnormal awareness of one’s own heartbeat. This can include the sensation of the heart racing, beating irregularly, or an unusual pounding sensation. Presenting Complaint Site Most palpitations are felt in the chest. You should additionally ask if they are also felt in the neck. Palpitations
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about rashes. Introduction Rashes are a common presenting complaint in primary care. While examination forms a larger part of the assessment than in many other presentations, taking a good history is still an important differentiator between diagnoses. Presenting Complaint Site Acral distribution (extremities such as hands, feet, fingers) e.g. hand, foot
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about fever in children. Introduction Fever is one of the most common presenting complaints in children. The causes range from benign and common to rare and life changing. Fever is defined as a temperature of 38 degrees centigrade and above. In infants aged up to 4 weeks you should
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about limb weakness. Introduction Limb weakness can be categorised as functional, such as conversion syndrome, or pathological, due to muscle weakness, which can be primary, such as myositis, myopathy muscular dystrophy, or secondary, due to neuronal death, neuronal dysfunction and peripheral vascular disease. Total muscle weakness, i.e. MRC rating
This is a practice OSCE station for UKMLA content. How to use Candidate: Patient/Examiner: Candidate brief You are the FY1 on the Acute Medical Unit. A 65-year-old man presents with confusion and dehydration. Please take a history, perform an appropriate focused examination and answer the subsequent questions. Patient Name: Mr David Smith Location: Acute Medical
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition first recognised in war veterans, is a mental health problem that some experience following traumatic events. PTSD develops in around â…“ of people who experience trauma; it is still unclear why some people develop this and others do not,
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about eating disorders. Introduction It is estimated that eating disorders affect over 725,000 people in the UK alone. Mortality rates are up to 5x higher for those with anorexia nervosa than for the general population, with anorexia nervosa being the mental health disorder with the highest mortality rate. Understanding
This is a UKMLA-centred history guide about melaena. Introduction Melaena is a common complaint seen in patients presenting to general practice and the ED, as well as with inpatients in secondary care. Melaena is black, tarry stool, and is typically very foul-smelling. It is associated with significant upper GI bleeding, and is evidence of digested haemoglobin
