DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Coma

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: e.g. car accident - may suggest subdural or extradural haematoma or intracerebral hemorrhage.

Why: e.g. diabetes, hypothyroidism, hepatic failure, renal failure, heart arrhythmias, epilepsy, Addison's disease, high blood pressure, lung disease.

Why: do they have insulin injections, have they had a recent infection, have they been eating properly? - may indicate risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemic ketoacidotic coma or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar non- ketotic coma.

Why: e.g. depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder - may indicate increased risk of suicide attempt by overdose, carbon monoxide poisoning or other poisoning.

Why: may suggest increased risk of suicide attempt.

Why: overdose of prescribed medication may be the cause e.g. tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relief medications such as morphine.

Why: may suggest drug overdose as cause of collapse e.g. heroin, amphetamines; may also be drug withdrawal e.g. benzodiazepines.

Why: may suggest acute alcohol intoxication, alcohol withdrawal or hepatic failure as cause.

Why: suggests severe infection and shock as cause of coma e.g. meningitis, encephalitis, septicemia, pelvic inflammatory disease, aspiration pneumonia, urinary tract infection, peritonitis, pancreatitis.

Why: may suggest pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or tension pneumothorax.

Why: e.g. twitching of limbs, incontinence of urine or feces - may suggest epilepsy, brain cancer, meningitis, stroke, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia.

Why: may suggest subarachnoid hemorrhage (sudden severe headache), brain tumor, meningitis, encephalitis.

Why: may suggest complete heart block, sick sinus syndrome, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation all which may cause collapse.

Why: e.g. weakness of limbs, problems with speech or swallowing.