V Vaginal bleeding, postmenopausal Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding—bleeding that occurs 6 or more months after menopause—is an important indicator of gynecologic cancer. But it can also result from infection, a local…
S Salivation, decreased [Xerostomia] Typically a common but minor complaint, diminished production or excretion of saliva (dry mouth) usually results from mouth breathing. However, this symptom can also result from…
R Raccoon eyes Raccoon eyes are bilateral periorbital ecchymoses that don’t result from facial soft-tissue trauma. Usually an indicator of basilar skull fracture, this sign develops when damage at the…
PQ Pallor Pallor is abnormal paleness or loss of skin color, which may develop suddenly or gradually. Although generalized pallor affects the entire body, it’s most apparent on the face,…
M Masklike facies A total loss of facial expression, masklike facies results from bradykinesia usually due to extrapyramidal damage. The rate of eye blinking is reduced to 1 to 4…
D Decerebrate posture [Decerebrate rigidity, abnormal extensor reflex] Decerebrate posture is characterized by adduction (internal rotation) and extension of the arms, with the wrists pronated and the fingers flexed. The…
B Babinski’s reflex [Extensor plantar reflex] Babinski’s reflex—dorsiflexion of the great toe with extension and fanning of the other toes—is an abnormal reflex elicited by firmly stroking the lateral aspect…
T Tachycardia Easily detected by counting the apical, carotid, or radial pulse rate, tachycardia is a heart rate greater than 100 beats/minute. The patient with tachycardia usually complains of palpitations…
A Abdominal distention Abdominal distention refers to increased abdominal girth—the result of increased intraabdominal pressure forcing the abdominal wall outward. Distention may be mild or severe, depending on the amount…
C Café-au-lait spots An important indicator of neurofibromatosis and other congenital melanotic disorders, café-au-lait spots appear as flat, light brown, uniformly hyperpigmented macules or patches on the skin surface. They…
