Red Flags

The examiner expects you to recognise that routine chest radiography is reserved for red‑flag features (high fever, tachypnoea, focal signs).

What our notes say

The examiner expects you to recognise that routine chest radiography is reserved for red‑flag features (high fever, tachypnoea, focal signs). (Bronchitis (Acute and Chronic))
DLCO falling below 40 % predicted is a red flag for impending respiratory failure and is often asked as a trigger for referral for lung transplantation (rare in Kenya but conceptually important). (Occupational Lung Disease)
Giving reassurance without arranging review when a red flag is present. (Growth and Development in Children)
Refer early for dialysis if the red flags above are present. (Acute kidney injury)
Complication hierarchy – atrial fibrillation in mitral stenosis is a red flag because embolic stroke risk rises sharply; the examiner expects you to link rhythm disturbance to the underlying valve lesion. (Heart murmurs)
| Coronary arterial tree – epicardial vessels, microvascular perfusion, subendocardial oxygen demand | Ischaemia reduces contractility and can precipitate decompensation; ECG changes or troponin rise are red‑flags. | (Heart failure: which tests and why)