Cardiovascular Examination Quiz

To demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of the Cardiovascular Examination. To identify physical signs of cardiovascular disease. To relate clinical signs to underlying pathology. To recognise the importance of using history & examination findings to help reach a diagnosis.

To help reach a diagnosis.

History, Examination, Investigation, Diagnosis, Treatment, Follow-up

To assess the rate and rhythm of the pulse.

By counting the radial pulse for 15 seconds and then multiplying by four.

Fast and regular (e.g. exercise, anxiety), regularly irregular (e.g. ectopic beat), irregularly irregular (e.g. atrial fibrillation), slow and regular (e.g. athletic training), slow and irregular (e.g. Sick sinus syndrome)

Rate, rhythm, volume, and character of the pulse.

Malar flush is a high color over the cheekbones with a bluish tinge caused by reduced oxygen concentration in the blood. It is considered a sign of mitral valve disease, which often follows rheumatic fever.

Butterfly rash is a characteristic skin lesion of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It occurs in a butterfly distribution on the cheeks of the face and across the bridge of the nose. It is associated with sun exposure and may precede SLE by weeks or months.

Clubbing describes changes in the area under and around the fingernails and toenails that occur with some disorders. It can be caused by heart and lung diseases that reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood, such as lung cancer, congenital cyanotic heart disease, chronic lung infections, interstitial lung disease, and others.