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.
HIV induced pericarditis physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The vital signs of a patient with small pericardial effusion are often normal. Fever suggests an underlying infectious or inflammatory cause, and the presence of a purulent effusion must be ruled out.
Physical examination
Physical examination
Vitals
Tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus and hypotension in cardiac tamponade
Neck
Jugular venous distension with a prominent Y descent and Kussmaul’s sign
Chest
Pleural dullness, decreased breath sounds, and distant heart sounds
Extremities
Ankle edema in chronic cases
{{#ev:youtube|EUCp_3_vwtw}}
Abdomen
- Hepatomegaly
- Ascites
- Hepatojugular reflux may be present
{{#ev:youtube|B8OX3T4c7PU}}
Extremities
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ramyar Ghandriz MD[2]