Acute Medicine Flashcards
Explain the management process for anaphylaxis?
- ABCDE approach
- A = maintain patency, if GCS < 8 –> intubate
- B = 100% O2 on 15 L, Salbutamol if bronchospasm (indicated by wheeze)
- C = IV access (14-18gauge cannula), Fluids if hypo (500ml of warm crystalloid or 0.9% saline),
- IM Adrenaline 0.5-1mg (repeat until HR and BP stabilise)
- Alternatives: Prochloperazine (anti-histamine 10mg IV) or dexamethasone (steroid 200mg IV)
- Mast Cell Tryptase (MCT) measure at time of incident, 4hrs after and 24hrs after
- Monitor NP, HR, RR, O2 sats, temperature
Explain the management of paracetamol overdose?
- ABCDE assessment
- Assess risk of toxicity, if < 75mg/kg then unlikely, if >150mg/kg then significant risk
3a. if <1hr –> Activated charcoal
4. 4hrs later measure PPC also FBC, INR, U+Es. LFTs
- if still at risk (assess using PPC)? –> then N-acetylcysteine
3b. if > 8hrs –> N-acetylcysteine then measure PPC (assess risk)
3c. if > 24hrs - measure PPC (assess risk), other test results (late): raised bilirubin + creatinine; low albumin; hypoglycaemia; acidosis;
Why do patients get paracetamol toxicity?
OD causes stores of glutathione to run out –> inability to metabolise excessive amount of paracetamol
What is the treatment of paracetamol toxicity post 8hrs? Explain the dosing regimen?
N-Acetylcysteine
- 150mg over 1 hr
- 500mg over 4hr
- 100mg over 16hrs
What are the key investigations for paracetamol toxicity?
- Plasma paracetamol concentration - determine level in relation to weight to determine risk
- INR (NAC) affects levels
- U+E and LFTs
What is the key investigation for anaphylaxis?
Mast cell tryptase
What are the symptoms of paracetamol toxicity (sequelae)?
- Early = N+V
- 24-72 hrs = RUQ pain and tenderness
- 3-5 days = jaundice, coagulaopthy (bruising), hypoglycaemia
What are the effects of amphetamines?
Increased energy, talkativeness; decreased need for food; hallucinations; dilated pupils
What are the OD effects of amphetamines?
- Lack of energy
- Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, paranoid thoughts, agitation)
- Others: increased RR, HR, hyper-reflexia, tremor etc
- Severe: cardiogenic shock, AKI, fever
What is the general treatment for amphetamines (think immediate treatment and 6 complications, be logical and keep it brief)
- <1hr Activated charcoal
- Metabolic acidosis - IV bicarb
- HTN - IV GTN
- Hypotension - Vasopressor and IV glucagon
- Agitation or Seizure - IV loraz, midaz, benzo
- Hyperthermia - cooling measures e.g. tepid sponge, cold saline, dantrolene
What are the mild and severe effects of opioid toxicity
Mild - pin point pupils, nausea and vomiting, sweating, agitation, euphoria, drowsy, confused
Severe - Hallucinations, respiratory depression, decreased HR, RR, GCS, myoclonic jerks
What is the management for opioid toxicity (no excuse for not getting this)
- Naloxone - 0.4mg injection - repeat in 60 s with 0.8mg if no improvement (max dose 2mg)
What are the toxic effect of TCAs and at what doses are its effects worrying? What is the main worrying complications?
> 10mg is significant toxicity
30mg is high chance of seizures and coma
- Mild - blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, agitation, confusion, hallucinations
- Severe - hypoxia, resp depression, metabolic acidosis, seizures and coma
- Oesophageal burns
What are the ECG findings of TCA overdose?
- Prolonged QTC - if >100mms then significant risk of seizure and coma
- Dominant R wave in AVR
- Sinus tachycardia
What is the treatment for TCA overdose.
- Long QTC - IV bicarbonate
- Seizures - IV lorezepam/diazepam
- Resistant hypo - IV glucagon or vasopressor e.g. noradrenaline
- Arrhythmia - IV Magnesium