A&E π¨ Flashcards
What are the broad classifications of blood product transfusion complications?
Immunological, infective, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), other complications (e.g., hyperkalaemia, iron overload, clotting).
What is a non-haemolytic febrile reaction caused by?
Antibodies reacting with white cell fragments and cytokines that have leaked from blood cells during storage.
What are the features of a non-haemolytic febrile reaction?
- Fever
- Chills
How should a non-haemolytic febrile reaction be managed?
Slow or stop the transfusion, administer paracetamol, and monitor the patient.
What causes a minor allergic reaction during a blood transfusion?
Foreign plasma proteins.
What are the symptoms of a minor allergic reaction?
Pruritus, urticaria.
What is the management for a minor allergic reaction?
Temporarily stop the transfusion, administer antihistamine, and monitor.
What can cause anaphylaxis during blood transfusion?
IgA deficiency in patients with anti-IgA antibodies.
What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis during a blood transfusion?
- Hypotension
- Dyspnoea
- Wheezing
- Angioedema
How should anaphylaxis during a transfusion be managed?
Stop the transfusion, administer IM adrenaline, provide ABC support, oxygen, and fluids.
What is an acute haemolytic reaction caused by?
ABO-incompatible blood due to human error.
What are the symptoms of an acute haemolytic reaction?
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Hypotension
What is the management for an acute haemolytic reaction?
Stop transfusion, confirm diagnosis, check patient identity, send blood for direct Coombs test, supportive care.
What causes transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)?
Excessive rate of transfusion, pre-existing heart failure.
What are the symptoms of TACO?
- Pulmonary oedema
- Hypertension
How should TACO be managed?
Slow or stop transfusion, consider IV loop diuretic (e.g., furosemide) and oxygen.
What characterizes transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)?
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema due to increased vascular permeability.
What are the features of TRALI?
- Hypoxia
- Pulmonary infiltrates on chest x-ray
- Fever
- Hypotension
What is the management for TRALI?
Stop the transfusion and provide oxygen and supportive care.
What pathogens are RBCs primarily at risk for transmitting?
- HIV
- HBV
- HCV
What is the clinical impact of viral infections from RBC transfusions?
Chronic disease states such as chronic hepatitis or AIDS.
What is the risk associated with platelet transfusions?
Bacterial contamination due to storage at room temperature.
What are common bacterial contaminants of platelet transfusions?
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Bacillus cereus
What is the risk of infectious complications from blood products based on?
Storage conditions, components involved, and duration of storage.
What is a chronic subdural haematoma?
A collection of blood within the subdural space present for weeks to months.
What are the typical symptoms of a subdural haematoma?
- Headache
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Altered mental status
What imaging technique is first-line for diagnosing acute subdural haematoma?
CT imaging.
What characterizes an acute subdural haematoma?
Collection of fresh blood within the subdural space due to high-impact trauma.
What is the management for a chronic subdural haematoma without neurological deficits?
Conservative management.
What are the two main types of strokes?
- Ischaemic
- Haemorrhagic
What is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)?
Sudden onset of focal neurologic symptoms lasting typically less than an hour.
What is the significance of a stroke being referred to as a βbrain attackβ?
It emphasizes the need for emergency assessment and treatment.
What is the clinical feature of lacunar strokes?
Isolated hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, or hemiparesis with limb ataxia.
What is the peak incidence time for seizures during alcohol withdrawal?
36 hours.
What is the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
Long-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., chlordiazepoxide, diazepam).
What is the characteristic feature of acute subdural haematomas on CT imaging?
Crescentic collection, hyperdense compared to the brain.
What are the associated effects of anterior cerebral artery lesions?
- Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, lower extremity > upper
What are common symptoms of chronic subdural haematomas?
- Confusion
- Reduced consciousness
- Neurological deficit
What is the essential problem in ischaemic strokes?
βBlockageβ in the blood vessel stops blood flow
What is the essential problem in haemorrhagic strokes?
Blood vessel βburstsβ leading to reduction in blood flow
What percentage of strokes are ischaemic?
85%
What percentage of strokes are haemorrhagic?
15%
Name a subtype of ischaemic stroke.
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
What is a TIA?
Sudden onset of a focal neurologic symptom lasting typically less than an hour
What are the general risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
- Age
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Diabetes mellitus
What is a common risk factor for cardioembolism?
Atrial fibrillation
List some symptoms of stroke.
- Motor weakness
- Speech problems (dysphasia)
- Swallowing problems
- Visual field defects (homonymous hemianopia)
- Balance problems
What is the definition of stroke?
A clinical syndrome consisting of rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function caused by a vascular problem
What characterizes cerebral hemisphere infarcts?
- Contralateral hemiplegia
- Contralateral sensory loss
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Dysphasia
What are lacunar infarcts?
Small infarcts around the basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus, and pons
What is the Oxford Stroke Classification used for?
To classify strokes based on the initial symptoms
What criteria should be assessed in the Oxford Stroke Classification?
- Unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Higher cognitive dysfunction e.g. dysphasia
What are the four types of strokes classified by the Oxford Stroke Classification?
- Total anterior circulation infarcts (TACI)
- Partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACI)
- Lacunar infarcts (LACI)
- Posterior circulation infarcts (POCI)
What is a common symptom more likely in haemorrhagic strokes?
Decrease in the level of consciousness
What does the FAST mnemonic stand for?
- Face
- Arms
- Speech
- Time
What is the first-line imaging technique for suspected stroke?
Non-contrast CT head scan
What is the recommended immediate treatment for ischaemic strokes?
Thrombolysis if certain criteria are met
What is the ABCD2 prognostic score used for?
To risk stratify patients who present with a suspected TIA
What is the recommended immediate antithrombotic therapy for TIAs?
Aspirin 300 mg immediately, unless contraindicated
What should be done if imaging confirms a haemorrhagic stroke?
Consider neurosurgical consultation for further management
What should be done with anticoagulants in the event of a haemorrhagic stroke?
Stop anticoagulants to minimize further bleeding
What is thrombolysis used for?
To treat acute ischaemic stroke
What are the absolute contraindications to thrombolysis?
- Previous intracranial haemorrhage
- Seizure at onset of stroke
- Intracranial neoplasm
- Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Stroke or traumatic brain injury in preceding 3 months
What is mechanical thrombectomy?
A treatment option for patients with acute ischaemic stroke
What is the recommended secondary prevention for ischaemic stroke?
Clopidogrel is recommended ahead of combination use of aspirin plus modified-release dipyridamole
Fill in the blank: The FAST campaign uses the mnemonic _______.
[Face, Arms, Speech, Time]
True or False: Symptoms alone can differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic strokes.
False
What does the ROSIER score assess?
It assesses the likelihood of stroke based on specific criteria
What is the significance of the hyperdense artery sign in acute ischaemic stroke?
It corresponds with the responsible arterial clot and tends to be visible immediately
What should be maintained within normal limits in acute stroke management?
- Blood glucose
- Hydration
- Oxygen saturation
- Temperature
What is the recommended time frame for administering thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke?
Within 4.5 hours of onset of stroke symptoms
What is the recommended action for patients with suspected TIA in the last 7 days?
Arrange urgent assessment (within 24 hours) by a specialist stroke physician
What imaging is necessary to confirm thrombolysis eligibility?
Imaging must definitively exclude haemorrhage
What are the three criteria assessed in the Bamford Classification for strokes?
- Unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Higher cognitive dysfunction (e.g. dysphasia)
What characterizes Total Anterior Circulation Infarcts (TACI)?
Involves middle and anterior cerebral arteries with all three criteria present.
What defines Partial Anterior Circulation Infarcts (PACI)?
Involves smaller arteries of anterior circulation with 2 of the 3 criteria present.
What are the characteristics of Lacunar Infarcts (LACI)?
Involves perforating arteries with presentations including:
* Unilateral weakness (and/or sensory deficit)
* Pure sensory stroke
* Ataxic hemiparesis
What symptoms are associated with Posterior Circulation Infarcts (POCI)? (3)
Presents with:
* Cerebellar or brainstem syndromes
* Loss of consciousness
* Isolated homonymous hemianopia
What is Lateral Medullary Syndrome also known as?
Wallenbergβs syndrome
What are the symptoms of Lateral Medullary Syndrome?
- Ipsilateral ataxia
- Nystagmus
- Dysphagia
- Facial numbness
- Cranial nerve palsy (e.g. Hornerβs)
- Contralateral limb sensory loss
What is Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome?
A severe systemic reaction to staphylococcal exotoxins, particularly TSST-1.
What are the CDC diagnostic criteria for Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome?
- Fever: temperature > 38.9ΒΊC
- Hypotension: systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg
- Diffuse erythematous rash
- Desquamation of rash, especially of palms and soles
- Involvement of three or more organ systems
What management is recommended for Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome?
- Removal of infection focus
- IV fluids
- IV antibiotics
Define osteoporosis.
A condition where bones gradually decrease in bone mineral density, increasing the likelihood of fragility fractures.
What is the male-to-female ratio for osteoporosis?
1:6
What are common sites for osteoporotic fractures?
- Spine (vertebra)
- Hip
- Wrist
List risk factors for osteoporotic fractures.
- Advancing age
- Previous history of fragility fracture
- Frequent or prolonged use of glucocorticoids
- History of falls
- Family history of hip fracture
- Low BMI (< 18.5)
- Tobacco smoking
- High alcohol intake
What signs may indicate osteoporotic vertebral fractures?
- Loss of height
- Kyphosis
- Localized tenderness on palpation
What is the first investigation ordered for suspected osteoporotic fractures?
X-ray of the spine
What tools can estimate the 10-year risk of a fracture?
- FRAX tool
- QFracture tool
What defines neutropenic sepsis?
Neutrophil count of < 0.5 * 10^9 with temperature > 38ΒΊC or other signs of sepsis.
What is the most common cause of neutropenic sepsis?
Coagulase-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis.
What is the initial management for neutropenic sepsis?
Start antibiotics immediately without waiting for WBC results.
What are the updated definitions of sepsis according to the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines?
- Sepsis: life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection
- Septic shock: a more severe form of sepsis with greater risk of mortality
What is the qSOFA score used for?
To identify adult patients outside of ICU at heightened risk of mortality with suspected infection.
List the red flag criteria for sepsis.
- Responds only to voice or pain/unresponsive
- Acute confusional state
- Systolic B.P <= 90 mmHg
- Heart rate > 130 per minute
- Respiratory rate >= 25 per minute
- Needs oxygen to keep SpO2 >= 92%
- Non-blanching rash, mottled/ashen/cyanotic
- Not passed urine in last 18 h/UO < 0.5 ml/kg/hr
- Lactate >= 2 mmol/l
What are the components of the βsepsis sixβ management?
- Administer oxygen
- Take blood cultures
- Give broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Give intravenous fluid challenges
- Measure serum lactate
- Measure accurate hourly urine output
What is the mortality risk associated with a SOFA score of 2 or more?
Approximately 10% in a general hospital population with suspected infection.
What are common factors associated with an increased risk of suicide?
- Male sex
- History of deliberate self-harm
- Alcohol or drug misuse
- History of mental illness
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- History of chronic disease
- Advancing age
- Unemployment or social isolation
- Being unmarried, divorced, or widowed
What factors reduce the risk of a patient committing suicide?
- Family support
- Having children at home
- Religious belief
What is the presentation of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- Severe, central abdominal pain radiating to the back
- Pulsatile, expansile mass in the abdomen
- Patients may be shocked or may have collapsed
What is the management for a suspected ruptured AAA?
Immediate vascular review with a view to emergency surgical repair.
What are the two main types of respiratory failure?
- Type 1: β pO2 with normal or β pCO2
- Type 2: β pCO2 with normal or β pO2
List causes of type 1 respiratory failure. (5)
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Asthma
- Pulmonary oedema
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
List causes of type 2 respiratory failure.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Decompensation in other respiratory conditions
- Neuromuscular disease
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- Sedative drugs
What is the condition characterized by β pCO2 with a normal or β pO2?
Type 2 respiratory failure
Hypercapnia leads to β pH and respiratory acidosis.
List the causes of type 1 respiratory failure. (5)
- pneumonia
- pulmonary embolism
- asthma
- pulmonary oedema
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
What are common causes of type 2 respiratory failure?
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- decompensation in other respiratory conditions
- neuromuscular disease
- obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- sedative drugs
What guidelines did the British Thoracic Society publish in 2002?
Guidelines on the use of non-invasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure
Followed by the Royal College of Physicians guidelines in 2008.
What are key indications for non-invasive ventilation? (4)
- COPD with respiratory acidosis (pH 7.25-7.35)
- Type II respiratory failure secondary to chest wall deformity
- Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema unresponsive to CPAP
- Weaning from tracheal intubation
What are the recommended initial settings for bi-level pressure support in COPD?
- EPAP: 4-5 cm H2O
- IPAP: 10-15 cm H2O
- Back up rate: 15 breaths/min
- Inspiration:expiration ratio: 1:3
What is the purpose of head tilt and chin lift in airway management?
To open the airway
Jaw thrust is preferred if there is concern about cervical spine injury.
What is an extradural (epidural) haematoma?
A collection of blood between the skull and the dura, typically caused by trauma
What is the classical presentation of an extradural haematoma?
Loss of consciousness, brief regain, and then loss again after a low-impact head injury
This brief regain is termed the βlucid intervalβ.
What imaging appearance does an extradural haematoma have?
Biconvex (lentiform), hyperdense collection around the surface of the brain
Limited by the suture lines of the skull.
What is idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
A condition seen in young, overweight females, also known as pseudotumour cerebri
List the risk factors for idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
- obesity
- female sex
- pregnancy
- drugs (e.g. combined oral contraceptive pill, steroids)
- tetracyclines
- retinoids
- lithium
What are the common features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
- headache
- blurred vision
- papilloedema
- enlarged blind spot
- sixth nerve palsy
What is the management for idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
- weight loss
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g. acetazolamide)
- topiramate
- repeated lumbar puncture (temporary)
- surgery (optic nerve sheath decompression)
What does papilloedema describe?
Optic disc swelling caused by increased intracranial pressure
It is almost always bilateral.
List the features observed during fundoscopy of papilloedema.
- venous engorgement
- loss of venous pulsation
- blurring of the optic disc margin
- elevation of optic disc
- loss of the optic cup
- Patonβs lines