jan04

orthopnia - short breath when lying supine. needs to sit up to breathe.

level can be measured by no. of pillows used.

http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-939130869

pneumothorax could be diagnosed by percussion, where patient is placed supine, and tapped on the sternum while being auscultated on the anterior lung fields. if there is a one-sided pneomothorax, the sound is resonant, booming and exaggerated.

http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/6/960

upon taking CVS history;

qOnset ( abrupt or gradual )

how did the pain start?

qNature ( character)

tell me about the pain, how is it like?

qCourse

did it become worse/better at some point?

qSite

where is the pain?

qRadiation

does the pain spread>?

qDuration

how long have you had this pain for>

qPrecipitating Factors

what makes it worse?

qRelieving factors

what makes it better?

qOther relevant symptoms

do you have other things that may bother you>