Acute Care Station Flashcards
STEMI
“ECG, glucose
Bloods: U&E, FBC, Troponin, Glucose, Lipids
CXR
MONA
Primary PCI / Streptokinase 1.5 million U in 100ml saline over 1h
BB + DVT prophylaxis”
NSTEMI
"ECG, glucose Bloods: U&E, FBC, Troponin, Glucose, Lipids CXR MONAC (DAT 12 months) LMWH + BB Consider angiography"
Pulmonary oedema
"Note COPD / asthma / pneumonia / pulmonary oedema can coexist O2 100%, Morphine 10mg + Metoclopramide GTN spray + Furosemide 40-80mg IV CXR, ECG U&E, Troponin, BNP, ABG If BP >100; can start nitrate infusion If no response, NIV If BP <100 = cardiogenic shock = ITU Once stable --> daily weights, obs, CXR, change to oral, ?treat HF "
Broad complex tachycardia
“ECG: HR>100; QRS>120ms; LAD (VT)
Ddx: VT/TDP, SVT with aberrant conduction, AV re-entry tachcardia with WPW
Blood: Esp low K, Mg
Mx: Help, cardiac monitor, O2, Defib, iv access
Unstable: Synchronised DC, KCL & MgSO4, amiodarone 300mg/60min
Stable: KCL & MgSO4, amiodarone 300mg IV/60min, if fails DC shock
After: establish cause, maintenance antiarrythmic
Torsades des pointes: Stop predisposing drugs, KCL & MgSO4. Overdrive pacing or isoprenaline may be needed “
Narrow complex tachycardia
“DDx –> AF, A flutter, WPW reentry tachycardia
O2 + IV access
Rhythm regular? (If not, treat as AF)
Continuous ECG trace
Vagal manoeuvres
Adenosine 6mg bolus (+2 12mg boluses if necessary)
Unstable –> Sedation + synchronised cardioversion + amiodarone 300mg / 60min
Stable –> Amiodarone 300mg IV / 60 min OR verapamil OR digoxin”
Coma
“Ddx: Drugs, poisoning (CO, %, TCA), Sugar (hypo, DKA, HONKC), O2, CO2 (COPD), infection, hypothermia, addison’s, myxoedema, encephalopathy (renal/liver). Neuro (meningitis, encephalitis, tumour, vasc TIA/CVA
ABCDEFG
ABG, FBC, U&E, LFT, ESR, CRP, ethanol, toxic screen, drug levels, cultures, CXR, CT head
Treat underlying cause”
HHS
“TIIDM, dehydration and hyperglycaemia, high osmolality and acidosis
Aggressive rehydration over 48h. Saline, replace K when urine begins to flow.
Avoid rapid changes to electrolytes (central pontine myelinolysis)
Think about insulin
“
Addisonian crisis
“DDx TB, trauma, abrupt stopping of long term corticosteroids, AI
Blood: cortisol + ACTH
Hydrocortisone 100mg IV stat
Fluids: 0.9% saline
Monitor glucose - this is the danger; may need IV glucose
Senior: may need fludrocortisone, gluide steroid replacement”
Phaeochromocytoma
“Hypertensive crisis: pallor, pulsating headache, HTN, impending doom, pyrexia, ST elevation, VT, cardiogenic shock
Senior + ITU
A block + B block + surgery
Phentolamine 2-5mg IV, repeated to maintain BP normal
When ok, phenoxybenzamine 10mg/24h, titrating dose untiil BP normal
BB
Surgery elective @ 4-6wks”
IECOPD
“Investigations: PEF, ABG, CXR, ECG, FBC/U&E/CRP, MCS
Controlled O2 - venturi 24-28%, ABG monitoring. Aim PaO2>8 with rise in PaCO2<1.5
Nebs: Sal + Iptratropium
Roids: IV hydrocortisone 200mg / Pred 40 (7-14 days)
Abx: Local protocol (e.g. doxycycline)
No response: Repeat nebs ± IV aminophylline
No response: NIPPV
No response: Inquire about ITU (unlikely)
Post –> Pulm rehab, stop smoking, LTOT”
Asthma
“Sit up 100% O2, PEF
ABG + IV access + bloods
Salbutamol 5mg + Tiotropium 0.5mg neb + Hydrocortisone 100mg IV
CXR for ? pneumothrax; repeat PEF to monitor response
If life threatening features = ITU informed ASAP; MgSO4 2g IVI / 20 min Salbutamol every 15min (monitor ECG)
If improving = O2 titrate >92% Sat; Prednisolone 40mg OD 5days; neb Sal every 4h; monitor PEF
If not improving 15-30min = Sal every 15min, ipratropium every 4-6h
If still no improvement = As for life threatening, ±aminophylline loading dose “
Pneumonia
“CXR, ABG, FBC/U&E/LFT/CRP, MCS, aspirate, CURB65
O2 + Fluids + Abx + Analgesia
Escalation: ITU with ventilatory support”
PE / DVT
"Assess risk factors in Hx Wells Score 100% O2 Morphine + Metoclopramide *If critical illness immediate thrombolysis (50mg alteplase) IV access + LMWH (trust guidelines) BP: if low rapid colloid infusion (x2 500ml bolus / 15min) If BP ok warfarin loading CTPA to confirm"
Pneumothorax
“DDx idiopathic, asthma, COPD, TB, pneumonia, Ca, CF, IPF, Sarcoid, Marfans, Ehler’s Danlos, trauma, iatrogenic (SVC insertion)
Tension: Neddle decompression + Drain
Non tension: CXR
Rim or air > 2cm - aspirate. If failure, drain. For smaller observe and consider discharge”
Acute GI bleed
“DDx PUD, MW tear, erosions, oesophagitis, varisces
Rockall scoring system for acute GI bleed
O2
NBM + 2 cannulae + urinary catheter
U&E, FBC, LFTs, glucose, clotting, XM 6u
Rapid IV crystalloid, 1L (or 2x 500ml); consider O-ve blood
Transfusion, use Hb as guide
Correct clotting (vit K, FFP)
Monitor + endoscopy ± surgery”