Cardiovascular
Crushing central chest pain radiating to arm/jaw → Myocardial Infarction
Sudden tearing chest/back pain → Aortic Dissection
Syncope with exertion → Aortic Stenosis
Palpitations with dizziness/collapse → Cardiac Arrhythmia
Neurological red flags
Sudden unilateral weakness / facial droop / slurred speech → Stroke
Severe sudden “worst ever” headache → Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
New onset seizure → Epilepsy / Intracranial Tumor
Confusion with fever and neck stiffness → Meningitis
List one red flag symptom for cardiovascular issues.
Chest pain or shortness of breath.
True or false: Numbness in one limb can indicate a stroke.
TRUE
Numbness, especially if sudden, is a classic stroke symptom.
What does sudden vision changes indicate?
Potential neurological issues or retinal detachment.
Define acute abdominal pain as a red flag.
Severe abdominal pain that may indicate appendicitis or perforation.
Fill in the blank: Persistent fever can signal _______.
Infection or malignancy.
What is a red flag for gastrointestinal bleeding?
Vomiting blood or passing black stools.
True or false: Joint swelling is always a red flag.
FALSE
Joint swelling can be benign but may indicate infection or arthritis.
What does sudden onset of confusion suggest?
Possible stroke, infection, or metabolic disorder.
Fill in the blank: Severe back pain with leg weakness may indicate _______.
Spinal cord compression.
Define palpitations as a red flag.
Irregular heartbeats that may indicate arrhythmias or heart disease.
What is a red flag for respiratory distress?
Severe shortness of breath or wheezing.
True or false: Unexplained bruising can be a red flag.
TRUE
It may indicate bleeding disorders or malignancy.
Fill in the blank: Changes in bowel habits can signal _______.
Colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
Define pallor as a red flag.
Pale skin indicating potential anemia or shock.
What is a red flag for mental health?
Suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors.
Mental health red flags
Suicidal ideation
Acute psychosis
Severe agitation or risk to others
Sudden behavioural change
Infection red flags
High fever or very low temperature
Tachycardia and tachypnoea
Confusion
Hypotension
Reduced urine
Skin red flags
Rapidly spreading rash
Non-blanching rash (possible sepsis/meningitis)
Severe burns
Signs of necrotizing infection (severe pain, swelling, skin discoloration)
Non-blanching rash with fever → Meningococcal Septicemia
Rapidly spreading painful skin infection → Necrotizing Fasciitis
Fever, hypotension, confusion → Sepsis
MSK RED FLAGS
Hot, swollen joint with fever (possible septic arthritis)
Inability to bear weight after injury
Severe limb pain with swelling
Suspected fracture or dislocation
Hot swollen joint with fever → Septic Arthritis
Severe limb pain, swelling, immobility after trauma → Fracture
Calf pain with swelling and redness → Deep Vein Thrombosis
Gastrointestinal red flags
Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
Black/tarry stools (melena)
Persistent vomiting with dehydration
Rigid or distended abdomen
Vomiting blood (haematemesis) → Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Black tarry stools (melena) → Peptic Ulcer Disease
Severe abdominal pain radiating to back → Acute Pancreatitis
Unintentional weight loss with dysphagia → Esophageal Cancer
Respiratory
Severe breathlessness at rest
Cyanosis
Hemoptysis
Stridor
Sudden pleuritic chest pain
Respiratory distress or exhaustion
Oxygen saturation < 92%
Sudden shortness of breath with chest pain → Pulmonary Embolism
Coughing up blood (haemoptysis) → Lung Cancer / Tuberculosis
Noisy breathing/stridor → Upper Airway Obstruction
Severe breathlessness with wheeze → Acute Asthma Exacerbation
Genitourinary / Renal
No urine output (anuria)
Blood in urine (haematuria)
Severe flank pain
Urinary retention
Sudden swelling with reduced urine
Blood in urine (haematuria) → Bladder Cancer / Kidney Stones
Severe flank pain radiating to groin → Renal Colic
Reduced or no urine output → Acute Kidney Injury
