Case files EM 2 Flashcards
What is the first lab to draw in any patient with AMS?
Blood glucose
What is the definition of stupor?
Level of decreased responsiveness where an individual requires aggressive or unpleasant stimulation
What is the defintion of obtunded?
Level of diminished arousal or awareness frequently from extraneous causes (infection, intoxication, metabolic states)
Compare delirium vs dementia in terms of: onset
Delirium = abrupt Dementia = progressive
Compare delirium vs dementia in terms of: timing of disorientation
Delirium = early Dementia = late
Compare delirium vs dementia in terms of: variability in mental status
Delirium = very variable Dementia = stable
Compare delirium vs dementia in terms of: level of consciousness
Delirium = AMS Dementia = Normal
Compare delirium vs dementia in terms of: attention span
Delirium = short attention span Dementia = reduced slightly
What are the four levels of eye opening in the glasgow coma scale?
4 = spontaneous eye opening 3 = opens to verbal commands 2 = opens to painful stimuli 1 = no response
What are the five levels of verbal response in the glasgow coma scale?
5 = oriented 4 = disoriented 3 = inappropriate words 2= incomprehensible sounds 1 = no response
What are the six levels of motor response in the glasgow coma scale?
6 = obeys commands 5 = localizes to pain 4 = withdraws to pain 3 = abnormal flexion 2 = abnormal extension 1 = no response
What is the treatment for AMS caused by hyponatremia?
3% NS
What is the treatment for AMS caused by hypernatremia?
Rehydrate
What is the treatment for AMS caused by hypo and hypercalcemia respectively?
Hypo = Ca replacement Hyper = IVFs
What pharmacologic therapy can help reduce brain swelling 2/2 tumor or edema?
Steroids
What is the classic history of transient synovitis?
recent URI, with resultant arthralgias of a joint
What is the most common organism that causes septic arthritis?
Staph aureus
What is a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)? What are the classic s/sx (3)? Treatment?
Fracture through the growth plate, resulting in slippage of the overlying end of the femur.
- Groin pain
- painful passive ROM of the hip
- waddling gait
Ortho pinning
What is Legg-calve-perthes disease?
Childhood hip disorder resulting from idiopathic disruption of the blood supply to the femoral head, resulting in osteonecrosis
True or false: pts with septic arthritis almost always have a fever
False–many do not
What is the role of US in the workup of septic arthritis?
If no effusion is seen, very unlikely to be septic arthritis
What is the treatment for legg-calve-perthes disease?
keep femoral head within the acetabulum to allow healing to occur (bace. cast)
What is a Toddler’s fracture?
Nondisplaced fracture of the distal tibial shaft that occurs when a toddler is learning to walk
What is Osgood-schlatter syndrome?
an inflammation of the patellar ligament at the tibial tuberosity, resulting in fragmentation of the tibial tubercle. Usually the result of stress fracture.
Who is usually affected with a SCFE? What is their classic gait?
Obese children
Trendelenburg gait
What is the definition for a simple febrile seizure (age, presentation, s/sx)?
The definition for a simple febrile seizure is very specific: age between 6 months and 60 months, generalized tonic-clonic convulsions, spontaneous cessation of convulsion within 15 minutes, return to alert mental status after convulsion, documentation of fever (< 38.0 ° C), one convulsion with a 24-hour period, and absence of neurologic abnormality on examination.
True or false: simple febrile seizures require no further work up, just observation for a short period of time
True, if truly a simple febrile seizure
For AOM, children under what age should be treated with abx? Why?
2 years
Risk for intracrainial extension
What fraction of children with febrile seizures will have another by age 6? What is their chance of developing epilepsy?
1/3 will have another, but only 1% go on to develop epilepsy
What is the effect of antipyretics on the occurrence of simple febrile seizures?
Does not decrease rate
What is the age range that is concerning for low back pain?
age ∉ [18, 50]
What is the relative sensitivity and specificity of the SLR and crossed SLR?
- SLR is sensitive, but not specific
- crossed SLR (where SLR on opposite leg produces pain down ipsilateral leg) is specific, but not sensitive
What is the pharmacologic treatment for cauda equina syndrome while waiting for surgery?
Steroids
What is the treatment for spinal infection?
abx and surgical decompression
What is the most sensitive s/sx for cauda equina?
Urinary retention / incontinence
What is the most common infectious cause of death in the US?
Pneumonia
What is the definition of hospital acquired pneumonia?
Pneumonia that arises 48 hours or more after hospital admission
What is healthcare associated pneumonia?
Pneumonia that occurs in a patient with substantial healthcare contact (intravenous antibiotics, chemotherapy, or wound care within the past 30 days; nursing home or long-term care facility resident; hospitalization for 2 or more days within the past 90 days; hemodialysis).
hospital acquired and healthcare associated pneumonia are most commonly caused by which organisms?
Aerobic, gram-negative bacilli, (e.g. pseudomonas, e. Coli, klebsiella)
Pneumonia that causes rust colored sputum = which bacteria? Currant Jelly sputum?
Rust = strep pneumo
Currant jelly = klebsiella
What are the s/sx of Legionnaires disease?
Severe illness with cough, lethargy, GI s/sx
What is the abx of choice for community acquired pneumonia in an otherwise relatively health pt, who has not had abx in the pst 3 months? What if they have comorbid conditions and/or used abx in the past 3 months?
Azithromycin
Levofloxacin
What are the abx used to treat pneumonia that requires ICU admission?
Beta lactam + (azithromycin or fluoroquinolone)
What is the abx of choice for aspiration pneumonia?
Clindamycin
Patients with concern for HAP or HCAP who are at a risk for multidrug-resistant pathogens should receive a 3-drug combination therapy of which abx?
- cefepime imipenem
- cipro piperacillin tazobactam
- linezolid or vanco
Which has a greater potential for hemorrhage and significant volume depletion: upper or lower GI bleeding?
Upper
Why is upper endoscopy so crucial in diagnosing the cause of upper GI bleed?
Slow bleeding ulcer vs hemorrhagic varices require different treatments
What anatomic landmark is used to distinguish upper from lower GI bleeds?
Ligament of Trietz
If a patient has lower GI bleeding, what age determines if they should have a colonoscopy, of sigmoidoscopy?
Under 40, sigmoid. Otherwise full colon
What is the major risk factor for an aortoenteric fistula?
H/o prior AAA reconstruction
What pharmacotherapy should be given to all pts with upper GI bleeds undergoing treatment?
PPIs
Is tylenol use a risk factor for ulcers?
No
What condition always needs to be r/o with CHF exacerbations?
MI
What is a major issue with treating diastolic heart failure?
They are preload dependent, so must carefully diurese them o/w risk hypotension
Why is intra-arterial monitoring of BP needed in CHF pts who are hypotensive?
Noninvasive techniques inaccurate, as there is peripheral vasoconstriction
When is a BNP lab most useful? What values are indeterminant?
In determining between COPD vs CHF
x ∈ [100,500] means indeterminant
What medication can be given to CHF exacerbation pts to rapidly reduce their pulmonary congestion?
NTG
What is the treatment for cocaine intoxication?
Benzos + supportive care
Why should haldol be avoided in acute cocaine intoxication”?
Lowers seizure threshold
What is the drug f choice to decrease HTN in cocaine intoxication?
Alpha-1 antagonists like phentolamine
Rotatory nystagmus is classic for what street drug intoxication?
PCP
What are the EKG changes associated with cocaine intoxication?
Widening of QT interval, wide complex dysrhythmias
What amount of acetaminophen is considered toxic?
More than 200 mg/kg or more than 10 g in one day
or 6 g over two days
NAC is most effective if administered within what timeframe of acetaminophen ingestion?
8 hours
What is the toxic metabolite of acetaminophen? What produces it, and what reduces it?
NAPQI produced by the p450 enzyme system, is reduced by glutathione
What is the MOA of NAC in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose?
Replenishes glutathione so that NAPQI is reduced properly
What are the four phases of acetaminophen toxicity (name, duration)?
1= preinjury (30 minutes - 24 hours) 2 = Injury onset (24-72hrs) 3 = Max liver injury (72-96 hrs) 4 = recovery (4-10 days)
What are the s/sx of the four phases of acetaminophen intoxication?
1 = nonspecific 2 = n/v RUQ pain, 3 = liver failure s/sx, metabolic disturbances 4 = resolution
When is the best time to draw acetaminophen levels if the ingestion time is known?
4 hours post ingestion
When should activated charcoal be given in acetaminophen OD?
separating dose of NAC with charcoal by 1-2 hours (o/w charcoal will absorb it)
What is the antidote for crotalidae envenomation?
Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab
What is the antidote for hypermagnesemia?
Calcium gluconate/chloride
What is the antidote for hypocalcemia?
Calcium gluconate/chloride
What is the antidote for black widow spider bite?
CaCl2
What is the antidote for CN?
amyl nitrate
What is the antidote for Hydrogen sulfide
Sodium nitrate
What is the antidote for CCB or beta blocker poisoning?
Glucagon
What is the antidote for hypoglycemia after oral hypoglycemic ingestion?
Octreotide
What is the antidote for heparin?
protamine
What is the antidote for Na channel blockers
NaHCO3
Why is theophylline intoxication so concerning
Very, very narrow TI
The Rumack-Matthew nomogram is not applicable for ingestions more than (__) hours prior to evaluation.
24 hours
What are the typical s/sx of acute chest syndrome 2/2 sickle cell disease?
Pleuritic chest pain, cough, fever, subtle findings of pulmonary exam, and opacity on CXR
What is the treatment of acute chest syndrome?
Supportive
What is the definition of acute chest syndrome?
The presence of a new lobar or segmental infiltrate on chest radiography in the presence of fever, respiratory symptoms, and/ or chest pain in patient with sickle cell disease.
Who is susceptible to sickle cell crises?
Homozygotes for the condition (AR inheritance pattern)
What is often the first physical exam finding of sickle cell disease?
Dactylitis
What is a major cause of death in sickle cell patients?
Pneumococcal sepsis
When is exchange transfusion indicated in the treatment of sickle cell crisis?
If fall in HgB by more than 2, or CNS s/sx
What is the treatment of strokes in children and adults with sickle cell disease?
Children = exchange transfusion Adults = usual stroke meds
What is the most common cause of acute exacerbation of anemia in sickle cell patients?
Acute splenic sequestration
What is the treatment for splenic crisis in sickle cell patients?
pRBCs and splenectomy
What is usual cause of transient aplastic anemia in sickle cell disease? Treatment?
Parvovirus B19
IVIG
What is the treatment for priapism 2/2 sickle cell disease?
Corpus cavernosus drainage and irrigation with epi
True or false: sickle cell pts are often overtreated for pain
False–very much undertreated
Which opiate can cause serotonin syndrome?
Meperidine
What is the technical definition of hypothermia?
Core body temp below 35 C or 95F
What is frostnip?
Deposition of superficial ice crystals on the skin. It can be a warning sign for impending frostbite. Typically it is a retrospective diagnosis because it is defined by the absence of tissue damage upon rewarming.
What is trench foot?
Constant exposure to low levels of cold (like 50s), cause capillary constriction and eventual destruction of surrounding tissue
In terms of thermoregulation, what is the hunting reactio?
of irregular, 5- to 10-minute cycles of alternating periods of vasodilation and vasoconstriction that protect the extremities against sustained periods of vasoconstriction.
What is the classic EKG manifestation of hypothermia?
J (Osborn) wave, which is a R wave immediately after the QRS complex
At what temperature does frostbite occur? What causes the damage?
When tissues are less than 0 C or 32 F
Venous stasis, and freezing of cellular fluids
What is the pre freeze phase of frostbite?
Tissue temps drop to 50 F (10 C), causing a loss of sensation
What is the freeze thaw phase of frostbite?
Extracellular ice crystals form, and water leaves cells osmotically
What is the progressive microvascular collapse phase of frostbite?
Red cells sludge and form microthrombi during the first few hours after the tissues are thawed.
What are the signs of superficial frostbite?
Clear vesicles
What are the signs of deep frostbite injury?
Hemorrhagic blisters
Why shouldn’t patients with frostbite/hypothermia always be warmed PTA?
Interruption/refreezing tissues is disastrous
Why is it crucial to check BG in hypothermia?
Correction of hypoglycemia can help restore shivering reflex