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Pharyngitis — History and Physical Exam — Clinical Pathway: Emergency Department and Inpatient

Suspected Pharyngitis or Peritonsillar Abscess (PTA) Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department and Inpatient

History and Physical Exam

  Features of Strep Pharyngitis Features for PTA
History
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rash
  • Absence of viral symptoms
    • Cough, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis, oral ulcerations, diarrhea
  • Inability to open mouth
  • Unilateral throat pain
  • Otalgia, ipsilateral
Physical Exam
  • Tonsillar hypertrophy with exudates
  • Pharyngeal erythema
  • Palatal petechiae
  • Anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
  • Fever > 38°C
  • Scarlatiniform rash
  • Absence of viral findings
    • Cough, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis, oral ulcerations, viral exanthem
  • Palatal fullness
  • Uvula deviation
  • Trismus
    • Difficulty opening mouth, actively and passively

 

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