The physical exam for HIT focuses on the skin, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal exam. These are the common areas of thrombotic manifestations. Bleeding can also occur in these organs. A complete physical exam can help with evaluation of thrombosis or bleeding in other organs.

• Patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia usually appear flushed.

• Fever
• Chill
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnea

• Skin necrosis from thrombotic physiology^[1][2]
• Petechiae from thrombocytopenia
• Purpura from thrombocytopenia
• Ecchymoses from thrombocytopenia

• HEENT examination of patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia is usually normal.

• Neck examination of patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia is usually normal.

• Pulmonary examination of patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia is usually normal.

• Tachypnea from pulmonary embolism
• Tachycardia from pulmonary embolism
• Hypoxia from pulmonary embolism

• Leg swelling from deep vein thrombosis^[1]
• Calf tenderness from deep vein thrombosis

• Mucosal bleeding from thrombocytopenia (i.e. oral, nasal, urinary, menstrual, gastrointestinal, or other)
• Abdominal tenderness from mesenteric venous thrombosis
• Neurologic deficits from cerebral arterial or dural venous sinus thrombosis