W Walking Difficulties When a patient complains of difficulty walking, visualize the anatomic components of the leg: skin, muscle, arteries, veins, bones, joints, and peripheral nerves. Going one step further,…
V Vaginal Bleeding As with most hemorrhages from body orifices, vaginal bleeding is best approached by the anatomic method. Thus, the important structures of the female genital tract are cross-indexed…
S Scalp Tenderness The cause of scalp tenderness can best be recalled utilizing the mnemonic MINT. M—Mental disorders such as pseudoneurosis can be associated with diffuse scalp tenderness. I—Inflammation would…
U Unequal Pulses To develop a list of causes of unequal pulses, let us trace the arterial system from its origin in the heart to its termination in the extremities….
T Tachycardia Tachycardia, like dyspnea, is usually a sign that the tissues are not getting enough oxygen to meet their demands. To recall a list of causes, pathophysiology is applied….
P Pallor of the Face, Nails, or Conjunctiva Pallor is almost invariably caused by anemia and is best analyzed with the application of pathophysiology. Anemia may be caused by decreased…
R Rash, General The best way to recall the causes of a general rash while still examining the patient is to think of the mnemonic DERMATITIS. D—Deficiency diseases include pellagra,…
M Memory Loss and Dementia Memory loss is a real symptom and sign, but organic brain syndrome should be dropped from usage because it is a wastebasket term. Unless the…
N Nail Changes There are various types of nail changes, such as thickening (onychogryposis), thinning, deformity, and separation from the nail bed (onycholysis). Whenever a peculiarity of the nail exists,…
O Obesity The differential diagnosis of obesity, like that of weight loss, is best developed using physiology because most cases of obesity are caused by an absolute increased intake of…
