Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, fainting, blue or grey lips, severe chest pain, or coughing up more than small streaks of blood.
Sudden breathlessness or sharp chest pain after a lung biopsy also needs emergency assessment because it may indicate a pneumothorax.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek prompt medical advice if you develop:
A new cough that persists or becomes worse
Repeated small amounts of blood in mucus
Unexplained weight loss
Ongoing fever or night sweats
Increasing shortness of breath
Persistent or worsening chest discomfort
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine follow-up if you have been told that a nodule needs another scan, PET-CT, specialist review, or biopsy.
Contact the clinic if the planned date passes without an appointment.
Delayed paperwork is not usually an emergency, but the follow-up should not be abandoned.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Solitary pulmonary nodule. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.