ROS – Review of Systems

The following list shows the content of a systems review that can be incorporated into the patient history.

General

Eyes: use of glasses/contacts, pain, diplopia (double vision), glaucoma, cataracts, itching, spots, photophobia, color blindness, night blindness, blurry vision, ptosis (droopy eyelids), halos (rings around lights), scotomata (blind spot), redness, tearing, discharge (color, consistency), use of eye drops, last eye exam

Ears: pain, hearing loss, deafness, discharge (color, consistency, bloody), infections, tinnitus (ringing), vertigo, pruritus (itching), use of hearing aid

Nose/Sinuses: rhinorrhea (runny nose), nausea, vomiting, hematemesis (vomiting stuffiness, discharge (color, consistency), pruritus (itching), epistaxis (nose bleeds) pain over sinuses, hay fever, frequent colds

Throat/Mouth: sores, lesions, condition of teeth and gums, dental caries, loss of teeth, dentures, bleeding, sore throat, hoarseness, change in taste, bad taste, malodorous breath, dry mouth, last dental exam

Change in appetite
Abdominal pain, difficulty/pain with swallowing Heartburn, indigestion, bloating, belching, blood), jaundice
Food intolerance
Frequency of bowel movements
Change in bowel habits (frequency, consistency, caliber, constipation, diarrhea), melena (dark colored stools), hematochezia (bloody stools), clay-colored stools, mucus (passing mucus)
Excessive belching or passing of gas
Incontinence (inability to prevent discharge)
Hemorrhoids, rectal itching/burning
Rectal discharge/pain
Laxative use
Hepatitis, gallbladder disease

Menstrual history (onset cycle duration, amount of flow, change in cycle)
LMP amenorrhea (loss of cycle), menorrhagia (excessive menses), metrorhagia (irregular menses), associated pain or PMS symptoms
Contraceptive history • Previous pregnancies deliveries, abortions, complications, outcomes) Exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) Vaginal discharge, pruritus, abscess, sores, lesions, infections, STI’S, PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), RPR status (Rapid Plasma Reagin test – syphilis). HIV status,
Previous PAPs
Premenstrual symptoms
Problem with intercourse (pain, satisfaction, libido), sexual orientation number of partners
Age at menopause
Postmenopausal bleeding • Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, mood swings, changes in vaginal lubrication)

Goiter, exophthalmos (eyeballs protrude)
Hot/cold intolerance, constipation/diarrhea
Tremor, excessive sweating
Palpitations, change in voice
Skin changes, hair distribution
Secondary sex characteristics
Changes in body contour or weight
Changes in hat glove/shoe size
Polyuria (increase urine), polydipsia (increase thirst). polyphagia (increase eating)
Striae (stretch marks)
Acne, pigmentation
Infertility, diabetes, thyroid disorders

Pain in an extremity, joint pain
Swelling, redness, stiffness, deformity, warmth
Limited range of motion,
Crepitation (cracking joints) – note location of each joint involved
History of arthritis, muscle pain, gout, backache, neck pain, significant trauma

Syncope, dizziness, seizures, vertigo
Ataxia (uncoordinated movements), limp
Frequent falls, tremor involuntary movement
Weakness, loss of muscle mass, paralysis
Clumsiness, pain
Numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensation, burning, tickling), hyperesthesia (abnormal acuteness to touch), dysarthria (speech change)
Changing in handwriting
Incontinence (bowel or urine)