Acute and Emergency Flashcards
Causes of transient or spurious non-visible haematuria
urinary tract infection
menstruation
vigorous exercise (this normally settles after around 3 days)
sexual intercourse
Causes of persistent non-visible haematuria
cancer (bladder, renal, prostate)
stones
benign prostatic hyperplasia
prostatitis
urethritis e.g. Chlamydia
renal causes: IgA nephropathy, thin basement membrane disease
Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical complex characterised by a triad of:
- Proteinuria (> 3g/24hr) causing
- Hypoalbuminaemia (< 30g/L) and
- Oedema
Nephrotic syndrome can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to systemic diseases. Common causes include:
Primary causes: Minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy.
Secondary causes: Diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), amyloidosis, infections (HIV, hepatitis B and C), drugs (NSAIDs, gold therapy).
Clinical features of urinary tract infections
dysuria
urinary frequency
urinary urgency
cloudy/offensive smelling urine
lower abdominal pain
fever: typically low-grade in lower UTI
malaise
in elderly patients, acute confusion is a common feature
Examples of neuropathic pain
diabetic neuropathy
post-herpetic neuralgia
trigeminal neuralgia
prolapsed intervertebral disc
First line treatment for neuropathic pain
amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin
What is used as rescue therapy in neuropathic pain?
Tramadol
What is the breakthrough dose of morphine?
1/6 of daily morphine
What drug is preferred in palliative care for patients with mild-moderate renal impairment?
Oxycodone
What does metastatic bone pain respond to?
Strong opioids, bisphosphonates or radiotherapy
Opioid side effects
Nausea, Drowsiness, Constipation
Causes of acute interstitial nephritis
drugs: the most common cause, particularly antibiotics
penicillin
rifampicin
NSAIDs
allopurinol
furosemide
systemic disease: SLE, sarcoidosis, and Sjogren’s syndrome
infection: Hanta virus , staphylococci
Features of acute interstitial nephritis
fever, rash, arthralgia
eosinophilia
mild renal impairment
hypertension
Investigations of acute interstitial nephritis
sterile pyuria
white cell casts
Prerenal causes of AKI
hypovolaemia secondary to diarrhoea/vomiting
renal artery stenosis
Intrinsic causes of AKI
glomerulonephritis
acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), respectively
rhabdomyolysis
tumour lysis syndrome
Post renal causes of AKI
kidney stone in ureter or bladder
benign prostatic hyperplasia
external compression of the ureter
Risk factors of AKI
chronic kidney disease
other organ failure/chronic disease e.g. heart failure, liver disease, diabetes mellitus
history of acute kidney injury
use of drugs with nephrotoxic potential (e.g. NSAIDs, aminoglycosides, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists [ARBs] and diuretics) within the past week
use of iodinated contrast agents within the past week
age 65 years or over
Drugs that should be stopped in AKI
- NSAIDs (except if aspirin at cardiac dose e.g. 75mg od)
- Aminoglycosides
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
- Diuretics
Common identified causes of anaphylaxis:
food (e.g. nuts) - the most common cause in children
drugs
venom (e.g. wasp sting)
Symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Swelling of throat and tongue
- Hoarse voice and stridor
- Respiratory wheeze
-Dyspnoea
-Hypotension
-Tachycardia
How often can adrenaline be repeated in anaphylaxis?
Every 5 minutes
What is refractory anaphylaxis
defined as respiratory and/or cardiovascular problems persist despite 2 doses of IM adrenaline
IV fluids should be given for shock
expert help should be sought for consideration of an IV adrenaline infusion