Chief complaints> Symptoms> Screening

ED Chief Complaint → Symptoms → Screening Tests Quick Reference
Initial screening only (pre-diagnostic). Edit text to fit your site’s protocols.

        Chief Complaint
        Key Symptoms
        Initial Screening Tests
      
        Chest Pain
        Pressure/tightness; radiation to arm/jaw; diaphoresis; anxiety
        Vitals; ECG ≤10 min; troponin; SpO₂; bedside glucose
      
        Shortness of Breath
        Dyspnea; wheeze; cough; orthopnea; tachypnea
        Vitals; SpO₂; ECG; ABG/VBG (per protocol); peak flow
      
        Abdominal Pain
        N/V; bloating; focal RUQ/LLQ pain; guarding
        Vitals; focused abdominal exam; urinalysis; urine/serum hCG (if applicable)
      
        Headache
        Photophobia; nausea; neck stiffness; thunderclap onset
        Vitals; neuro exam; fundoscopy
      
        Fever
        Chills/rigors; malaise; tachycardia
        Vitals; targeted system exam
      
        Dizziness / Syncope
        Lightheadedness; brief LOC; palpitations; vertigo
        Vitals; orthostatic BP; ECG; bedside glucose; Dix–Hallpike (if vertigo)
      
        Altered Mental Status / Encephalopathy
        Confusion; disorientation; lethargy; agitation
        Vitals; bedside glucose; brief neuro exam; collateral history
      
        Back Pain
        Focal tenderness; weakness; bowel/bladder changes; fever
        Vitals; neuro exam; red flag screen (infection, cancer, cauda equina, AAA)
      
        Extremity Injury / Limb Ischemia
        Pain; swelling; deformity; numbness; pallor; poikilothermia
        Vitals; neurovascular exam (pulses, cap refill, sensation, motor)
      
        Alcohol / Drug Intoxication
        Slurred speech; agitation; drowsiness; pinpoint/dilated pupils
        Vitals; neuro exam; bedside glucose
      
        Dehydration
        Dry mucous membranes; tachycardia; hypotension; poor skin turgor
        Vitals; exam of mucosa/skin turgor