Signs and symptoms to always be concerned about.

[HumptyDumpty]

I would like to compile a list of signs and symptoms you would ALWAYS report to the MD or send the patient to the ER for. Ill start with the obvious ones:

Chest pain

SOB

Severe Nausea

Acute onset of Edema

[heron, ASN, RN]

sudden changes in mental status

changes in mobility/muscle strength/facial droop

sudden or rapid onset of severe pain of any kind

[KateRN1]

Vital signs outside of standard parameters

Loss of consciousness

New onset irregular heart rate/rhythm

Weight gain >3 pounds overnight or 5 pounds in a week

Wound that does not show improvement in 3 weeks

Suspected abuse

Advnetitious lung sounds

New heart murmur

Frequent recurrent falls

Any fall with injury

Patient who is repeatedly not found home (may not be homebound or may have wandered off and become lost, etc)

Unusual bleeding

Non-compliance with plan of care

Patient who is not safe to live alone or in current situation

Sudden loss of appetite

Severe constipation not responding to natual methods

Observed or expressed depression or suicidal ideation

[tewdles, RN]

what KateRN1 said...

[TheNurseIsIn]

SS of UTI

SS of other infections, esp with wounds & resp system

Pt who is withdrawing from narcs,etc. (I've had to call 911 for this)

Any new wounds & significant changes or lack of improvement in wounds

SS of sepsis

Wheezing, rales,etc.

Abnormal blood sugars that are significant

Any herbal, etc products pt may be taking without doctors knowledge or that are not on your med list

Significant weight loss/gain

Suspected mental illness

Substance abuse

An ongoing decrease in appetite

Serious, troublesome or odd reactions to new meds

Pt who is talking "out of their head"

Head trauma

When meds don't seem to be working anymore or not working at all if new, esp psych meds

Suicidal/Homicidal Ideations or Plan

When the pt is too shy, passive to call the doctor themself

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thank you for this list of high acuity signs and symptoms