SOAP NOTE
Pediatric SOAP Note
Name: P. L
Date: 03/09/2018
Sex: Male
Age/DOB/Place of Birth: 16 y.o/03/01/2001/Cuba
SUBJECTIVE
Historian: Mother and patient
Present Concerns/CC: “I’ve been having horrible headaches on and off for the last 2 weeks”
Child Profile:
Patient is a high school student with no significant past medical history. He is enrolled in a dual program where he is taking college classes in advance. Described by his mother as an A+ student. He does participate in sports at school being part of the baseball league. Patient goes to school during the day and spends most of his free time studying. He eats a balanced diet including meat, vegetables, and salads. Patient drinks water throughout the day and does not like soda beverages. Denies drinking energetic drinks. He uses seatbelt at all times while in a car.
HPI:
Otherwise healthy 16 y/o male seen in the office for complaints of daily headache for 2 weeks. Pain is described as dull and pounding and intermittent. Pain is mainly located in the back of the head but at times radiates to the top and to the sides. Patient can’t say if there are specific triggers for the pain because he experiences it at any time. Pain is alleviated by rest and in other instances he has taken Excedrin Extra Strength with little relief. Denies photophobia, blurred vision, or diplopia. Patient admits to some pressure with the studies as he is trying to get a full scholarship for university.
Med
Medications:
He is not currently taking any medications. Has taken Excedrin Extra Strength 1 tab orally by mouth as needed for headache in the past.
PMHX:
Allergies: NKA
Medication Intolerances: None
Chronic Illnesses/Major traumas: None
Hospitalizations/Surgeries: None
Immunizations: Up to date
Family History
Mother and father alive. Mother has history of GERD and father suffers from HTN. Paternal grandparents are deceased. Both of old age. Maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother are alive, and they only suffer from GERD and OA.
Social History
Patient is only child and lives with his parents. He is currently on high school. He is enrolled in a dual program where he is taking college classes in advance. He spends most of his time studying. He has applied to various universities and expects to obtain full scholarship. Mother denies guns at home or exposure to second hand smoking. Patient does not work because his school requires him to spend a great amount of time to it. Both parents are very supportive of patient. Patient denies being sexually active and denies having a girlfriend. He has a group of close friends.
ROS
General
Denies fever, weight loss or generalized weakness
Cardiovascular
Denies chest discomfort, palpitations, or chest pressure
Skin
Denies open wounds, rash, or hives
Respiratory
Denies for hemoptysis, tachypnea, dyspnea or cough
Eyes
Denies blurred vision, diplopia, and sense of curtain falling or intolerance of light. Positive for reading glasses.
Gastrointestinal
Denies nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite or changes in bowel habits
Ears
Denies ear pain, tinnitus, or discharge
Genitourinary/Gynecological
Denies changes in urine color, dysuria, or hematuria
Nose/Mouth/Throat
Denies mouth sores, epistaxis, nasal congestion, or difficulty swallowing
Musculoskeletal
Denies joint swelling, stiffness, or pain
Breast
Not examined
Neurological
Report headaches x 3 weeks. Negative for paralysis, tremors, seizures, speech difficulty or confusion
Heme/Lymph/Endo
Denies fatigue, anemia, cold/heat intolerance or enlarged lymph nodes
Psychiatric
Denies problems falling asleep or staying asleep, depression or suicidal ideations. Positive for high levels of stress and some anxiety
Weight 164 lbs
Temp 98.7
BP 122/63
Height 5’7”
Pulse 72
Resp: 18
General Appearance and parent‐child interaction:
Cooperative and calm patient accompanied by his mother. Both with clear and appropriate speech and language
Skin
Skin is intact. Good turgor. Capillary refill 2 seconds
HEENT
Head: Normocephalic, atraumatic. Eyes: symmetric. Normal eye lashes and lids, Clear conjunctiva. Visual fields full to confrontation. No ptosis. Pupils PERRLA. Ears: No trauma or drainage. Nontender tragus. Mouth: Intact gag reflex. Nose: Patent nares with midline septum. Neck: supple with no JVD and full ROM.
Cardiovascular
Normal heart rate and sounds. Pedal pulses 2+ bil. No cyanosis, clubbing or edema of the lower extremities
Respiratory
Lung fields clear to auscultation. Respiratory rate within normal parameter. Symmetric chest wall expansion. No use of accessory muscles observed.
Gastrointestinal
Abdomen is flat with normoactive bowel sounds in all quadrants. Exam negative for tenderness or guarding
Breast
Not examined during this visit
Genitourinary
No bladder distention or CVA tenderness
Musculoskeletal
Patient with full ROM. Normal spinal curvature and good head control. No joint deformities or inflammation seen.
Neurological
Extremities movable 5/5 strength. Intact coordination with finger to nose test. Intact sensation to light and deep touch. Reflexes 2 + throughout. Romberg test negative.
Psychiatric
Patient with adequate engagement in conversation, normal mood, no indications of depression at this time
In-house Lab Tests – document tests (results or pending)
MRI of the brain and cervical spine: Exam to be completed in an outpatient imaging
center as soon as possible
Diagnosis
Primary Diagnosis:
· Tension headache (G44.209): This diagnosis was selected based on physical examination and history of recent exposure to higher levels of stress. Pending MRI results to rule out other causes if any.
· Plan including education
· MRI scheduled for next day.
· Start Midrin 325 mg take 1 cap every 4 hours as needed for severe headache. Do not exceed 8 capsules per day.
· Motrin 800 mg 1 tablet every 8 hours as needed for pain
· Follow up in the office for tests results
Education
· Patient and mother educated about tension headaches and that they could be related to high stress levels. However, further testing was ordered to rule out other possible causes. Patient verbalized understanding and agreed to additional test to rule out more serious causes
Educated to keep a log with frequency of headaches
Instructed to take medications as prescribed and do not exceed recommended dosage.
Educated about the importance of a life –school balance, participate in physical activities, getting sufficient sleep and proper nutrition
Use relaxation and deep breathing techniques and take frequent brakes while using computer or other electronic devices (Donaldson, 2016)
Differential diagnosis -
1. Tension headache (G44.209): Tension headaches are
often described as dull pain on the back of the head or in
forehead. They are also called stress headaches and they
are often the result to high level of stress (Donaldson,
2016).
2. Brain tumor (C71.9): While many cases are
asymptomatic, a new onset of headache can warrant
further testing to rule out this diagnosis. According to
Prosad Paul, Perrow & Webster (2014), patients with
brain tumors can have persistent headaches, problems
with coordination, dizziness, fatigue or weakness. This
patient does not present other symptoms; however, this
differential diagnosis is a must no miss and therefore is
included for this patient.
3. Herniated cervical disk (M50.10): Although not very
common, serious cervical pathologies such as herniated
disk can cause headaches (Donaldson, 2016).
References:
Donaldson, S. (2016). Tension Headaches: Psychological Factors. Biofeedback,
44(1), 15-18. doi:10.5298/1081-5937-44.1.06
Prosad Paul, S., Perrow, R., & Webster, M. A. (2014). Brain tumours in children:
reducing time to diagnosis. Emergency Nurse, 22(1), 32-36.