11/13/24, 8\:13 PM Guide | Systemic enquiry

Systemic enquiry

Table of contents

Introduction

A systemic enquiry (also known as a systems review) involves performing a brief screen for symptoms in other body systems
which may or may not be relevant to the primary presenting complaint. A systemic enquiry may also identify symptoms that the
patient has forgotten to mention in the presenting complaint.
Deciding on which symptoms to ask about depends on the presenting complaint and your level of experience.
Some examples of symptoms you could screen for in each system are shown below.

Systemic symptoms

Systemic symptoms to screen for include\:
Fevers
Night sweats
Weight change
Fatigue

Cardiovascular symptoms

Cardiovascular symptoms to screen for include\:
Chest pain
Palpitations
Dyspnoea
Pre-syncope
Syncope
Orthopnoea
Peripheral oedema

Respiratory symptoms

Respiratory symptoms to screen for include\:
Dyspnoea
Cough
Sputum
Wheeze
Haemoptysis
Pleuritic chest pain
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Gastrointestinal symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms to screen for include\:
Appetite change
Nausea
Vomiting
Dyspepsia
Dysphagia
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Abdominal distension
Jaundice
Changes in bowel habit\: constipation, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, melaena, hematochezia

Genitourinary symptoms

Genitourinary symptoms to screen for include\:
Changes in urine output or colour\: oliguria, polyuria, anuria, dark urine, haematuria
Infective symptoms\: urinary frequency, dysuria,
Bladder control symptoms\: urinary urgency, urinary incontinence
Obstructive symptoms\: terminal dribbling, nocturia
Uraemic symptoms\: fatigue, nausea, anorexia, pruritis

Neurological symptoms

Neurological symptoms to screen for include\:
Visual symptoms\: blurred vision, changes in colour vision, sudden loss of vision,
Headache\: unilateral headache, bilateral headache, thunderclap headache
Motor or sensory disturbance\: muscle weakness, numbness, paraesthesia
Loss of consciousness including seizures
Confusion

ENT symptoms

Ear, nose and throat symptoms to screen for include\:
Hearing loss/tinnitus
Otalgia
Facial pain
Persistent nasal discharge
Epistaxis
Dysphonia
Dysphagia
Odynophagia

Musculoskeletal symptoms

Musculoskeletal symptoms to screen for include\:
Bone and joint pain
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Muscular pain
Trauma

Dermatological symptoms

Dermatological symptoms to screen for include\:
Rashes
Skin lesions
Skin colour changes
Ulcers
Source\: geekymedics.com
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