Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Acute chest syndrome physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Vital Signs
Temperature
- Fevers up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pulse Rate
Respiration Rate
- Tachypnea may be present
Eyes
- Lipemia retinais can be seen in the patient with fat embolism
Lung
- Rales and dullness to percussion are the most common findings on physical exam.
- 35% of patients have a normal auscultatory exam.
- Patients can also have sternal tenderness.
- There is little difference in physical findings between patients with Hb SS and Hb SC disease.
Neurologic
- Mental confusion may suggest hyoxia or fat embolization.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]