Question | Answer |
diaphoresis | excessive perspiration |
flushing | a red appearance by the skin, which generally affects the face & neck. this is commonly present with a fever. |
jaundice | a yellow appearance by the skin, first evident in the white of the eyes. |
rash | an eruption of the skin |
bradycardia | an abnormally slow pulse rate |
dehydration | a decrease in the amount of water in the body. the patient has a flushed appearance, dry skin & decreased output of urine |
edema | the retention of fluid in the tissues, resulting in swelling. skin over the area is tight. this is most easily observed in the extremities |
tachycardia | an abnormally fast heart beat (greater that 100 bpm) |
anorexia | a loss of appetite and a lack of interest in food. |
constipation | a condition in which the stool becomes hard and dry, resulting in difficult passage from the rectum. the consistency of the stool, rather than the frequency of defecation, is used as a guide in determining the presence of this. |
diarrhea | the passage of an increased number of loose, watery stools. the fecal material moves rapidly through the intestinal tract, resulting in decreased absorpton by the body of water, electrolytes and nutrients. |
flatulence | the presence of gas in the stomach or intestines |
nausea | a sensation of discomfort in the stomach with a feeling that vomiting may occur. |
vomiting | this is the ejection of the stomach contents through the mouth, also known as emesis. |
cough | an involuntary & forceful exhalation of air followed by a deep inhalation. it may be productive or non productive |
cyanosis | a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen |
dyspnea | labored or difficult breathing |
epistaxis | hemorrhaging from the nose (nosebleed) |
chills | a feeling of coldness accompanied by shivering; generally present with a fever |
convulsions | involuntary contractions of the muscles |
fever or pyrexia | a body temperature that is higher than normal |
headache | a feeling of pain or aching in the head; a common symptom that accompanies many illnesses; can be a result of tension, fatigue, and/or eyestrain |
malaise | a vague sense of discomfort, weakness, and fatigue often making the onset of a disease & continuing through the course of the illness |
pain | irritation of pain receptors, resulting of distress or suffering; it is an important indication that a part of the body is not working properly |
pruritus | severe itching |
vertigo | a feeling of dizziness or light-headedness |