Case Files EM Flashcards
What is the treatment of choice for strep, and how long?
PCN for 10 days
What steroids is given to patients with bad strep throat, if clinically indicated?
Dexamethasone
What is the classic x-ray sign for epiglottitis?
Thumb print sign
What is the treatment for epiglottitis? Abx choice?
ENT referral
Cefuroxime
What are the abx of choice for retropharyngealabscess?
PCN and metronidazole
What is the usual presentation of Ludwig’s angina?
Submaxillary, sublingual, or submental mass with infx s/sx and trismus
What are the abx for Ludwig’s angina?
PCN and metronidazole
Which has trismus: peritonsillar abscess, or retropharyngeal abscess?
Peritonsillar
What are the abx for peritonsillar abscess?
PCN and metronidazole
What are the components of the CENTOR criteria? (4)
Cervical adenopathy
Exudates
No cough
Fever
What intervals are troponins obtained to r/o MI?
1 (immediately), 4, and 12
What are the components of the TIMI risk score? (7)
- Age over 65
- H/o CAD
- 3+ CAD risks
- Use of ASA in prior week
- 2+ anginal events in 24 hours
- ST segment deviation
- Increased cardiac biomarkers
What is the goal door to balloon time for STEMI?
90 minutes
What is the ship and drip method for STEMI?
Ship to PCI hospital under 90 minutes away
Start heparin and abciximab
What are the drugs that should be administered to NSTEMI patients?
Beta blockers (if no HF) LMW heparin Clopidogrel
What are the drugs that MI patients are started on for life once out of the hospital? (4)
ASA
ACEIs
Statins
Beta-blockers
What causes bradyarrhythmias with an MI?
If SA node is infarcted from RCA occlusion
What meds should be avoided in patients with a right ventricular infarction?
NTG
HIgh dose morphine
What should patients in newly diagnosed A-fib receive upon arrival to the ED?
IV and cardiac/pulse ox
What is the most common underlying cause of atrial fibrillation?
HTN
Why is it that AF begets AF?
Causes degeneration of the electrical and contractile tissue, causing more foci to occur
What is the single most important goal of therapy for treating AF in the ED?
Rate control
What is the treatment for hemodynamically unstable AF?
Cardiovert
What is the timeframe for cardioversion for AF in the ED? What is done if this is not met?
- Less than 48 hours
- move to anticoagulate for 3 weeks, then convert in 3 weeks, OR TEE + cardiovert
Why is it that pts with WPW should not receive rate control for AF?
nodal blocking agents can lead to accelerated conduction down the accessory pathway, leading to VF
How does digoxin slow the HR?
Increases parasympathetic tone
When does the 48 hour rule not apply for hemodynamically stable patients in AF? (3)
- Mitral valve disease
- Severe LV dysfunction
- h/o embolic stroke
What is the difference between sinus tach and atrial tach, in terms of EKG changes, and treatment?
P wave morphology different than sinus
Will not respond to vagal maneuvers or adenosine
What are the EKG findings and the treatment for AVNRT?
P waves buried in QRS
Vagal maneuvers/ Adenosine
What are the EKG findings and the treatment for AVRT?
Inverted P waves
Vagal maneuvers / adenosine
What are the EKG findings and the treatment for junctional tachycardia?
Inverted P waves before or after QRS
Will NOT respond to vagal maneuvers or adenosine.
What are the EKG findings and the treatment for antidromic AVRT?
Retrograde P waves may or may not be visible
Avoid beta blockers, CCBs, and adenosine
What is the triad for DKA?
Hyperglycemia
Ketosis
Metabolic acidosis
The absence of what lab finding exclude the diagnosis of DKA?
No ketones in the urine means not DKA
How long should insulin be delivered to patients in DKA?
Until metabolic acidosis resolves
What is the rate of insulin infusion for DKA? At what BG level should dextrose be added?
0.1 U/kg/hour
250 mg/dL
When can K be given immediately in DKA?
if patients have a low to normal serum K. Otherwise, give NS until normal
What additional electrolyte should be given to patients in DKA to maintain the added K?
Mg
What is a major complication of DKA, particularly in children?
Cerebral edema
What is the role of using bicarb in DKA?
Not effective, even at low pH
What is the temperature needed to diagnose SIRS?
x ∉ [36,38]
What is the HR needed to diagnose SIRS?
More than 90 bpm
What is the RR or PaCO2 needed to diagnose SIRS?
RR over 20
PaCO2 less than 32 mmHg
What is the WBC count needed to diagnose SIRS?
Over 12000 or less than 4000
What is the definition of sepsis?
SIRS + infection source
What is the definition of severe sepsis?
Sepsis + one sign of organ failure OR hypoperfusion
What is the definition of septic shock?
Sepsis + hypotension
What is the goal central venous pressure in early goal-direct therapy? what about if mechanically ventilated?
8-12 mmHg (over 12 if mechanically ventilated)
What is the goal MAP in early goal-direct therapy?
Over 65 mmHg
What is the role of steroids in septic shock?
Do not use unless suspect adrenal insufficiency
What are the general ventilator settings to be used in ARDS?
Low tidal volumes
PEEP
What causes DIC?
ACtivation of both coagulation cascade, and anticoagulant cascade
When should platelets be given in DIC?
If less than 5000, or less than 30000 with bleeding
What is the goal central venous oxygen saturation ScvO2) in sepsis?
Over 70%
What are the components of the AMPLE mnemonic for history taking in the trauma patient?
Allergies Medications Past mhx Last meal Events leading up to incident
What are the three stages of shock?
Compensated
Progressive
Irreversible
The normal manifestations of shock do not apply to what three categories of patients?
Pregnant women
Athletes
Alter autonomic nervous system (e.g. beta blockers)
What characterizes the progressive stage of shock?
Arterial pressures fall
What amount of blood loss is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
Less than 750
750-1500
1500-2000
Over 2000
What HR is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
Less than 100
More than 100
More than 120
More than 140
What BP (general, not numbers) is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
Normal
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
What pulse pressure (general, not numbers) is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
Normal
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
What RR is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
12-20
20-30
30-40
More than 40
What urine output is characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
More than 30 mL/h
20-30
5-15
None
What mental status findings are characteristic of Classes I-IV of ATLS classifications?
Slight anxious
Mild
Anxious/confused
Lethargic
What are the five areas that should be assessed in every trauma patient?
External bleeding Thorax Peritoneal cavity Pelvis/retroperitoneal Soft tissue compartments
What organ metabolizes lactate? What is the significance of this?
Liver
Liver failure will always have elevated lactate
What is the best clinical estimate of preload?
LVEDV
What is the ratio of fluids to blood in hemorrhagic volume resuscitation?
3:1
When is transfusion indicated in the hemorrhagic trauma patient?
If 2-3L of IVFs do not bring the pt out of shock
True or false: hypotension in a trauma pt is hemorrhage until proven otherwise
True
Why is local wound exploration of the chest not a good idea?
Procedure itself can penetrate the pleura
Why is it that a chest tube should be placed in a ventilated patient, regardless of the size of the pneumothorax?
Tension may result from PEEP
What is the role of CT in detecting diaphragmatic injuries?
Only gets bigs ones
What are the s/sx of abdominal trauma that necessitate surgical exploration? (4)
Shock
Peritonitis
Gunshot wound
Evisceration of abdominal contents
True or false: a wound that does not penetrate the abdominal fascia may be irrigated and closed without further diagnostic studies
True
pt with midline neck tenderness with a negative CT should have what?
Flexion/extension plain films
What are the Nexus criteria for neck CTs? (5)
- No posterior midline TTP
- No intoxication
- Normal level of alertness
- No focal neurological deficits
- No painful distracting injuries
What are the s/sx of anterior, posterior, and central cord syndrome?
Anterior = no motor or pain Posterior = no vibration sense or proprioception Central = Upper extremity weakness
What are the three steps of the canadian neck CT rule?
- High risk factors (age over 65, PE findings, or mechanism)
- C-spine TTP, ambulatory, or delayed pain
- Able to rotate neck
Why is it that neck fractures with neurological compromise may cause respiratory compromise?
C3-5 phrenic nerve innervation
What is the role of steroids in the treatment of a spinal cord injury?
No longer used 2/2 increased sepsis
True or false: breaks in either the ulna, or the radius are treated closed, whereas if both are involved, then open treatment
True
What is the treatment for a colles fracture?
Closed reduction
What is the treatment for carpal injuries?
Call the surgeon
What amount does epi come in (in terms of mg / dose)?
All are generally 1 mg per dose
What is the best way to titrate epi in patients?
Add 1 mg of epi to 1 L of fluid, and infuse 1-4 mL per min
What is the treatment for pts on beta blockers in anaphylaxis?
Glucagon–activates the adenylate cyclase pathway independent of beta receptor
What is the oxygen saturation target for adults with asthma? Infants? Pregnants?
90% in adults and at least 95% in infants, pregnant women, and patients with coexisting heart disease.
What amount of inhaler use is recommended in the ED?
In the ED, patients can receive 4 to 8 puffs every 15 to 20 minutes for the first hour of therapy and then every 30 minutes thereafter for 1 to 2 more hours.
What is the role of leukotriene agonists in the treatment of asthma?
Only for chronic control
What is the role of Mg in the treatment of asthma?
Used in severe cases, and competes with Ca for uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum
What is the role of theophylline in the treatment of asthma?
None, really.
What is the role of BiPAP in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation?
Should be tried prior to intubation
Besides uncontrollable asthma, what are the four major indications for admission for asthma?
- new onset
- Multiple Hospitalizations
- Severe CAD
- social/medical issues that impair access
What are the initial ventilator settings for asthma patients?
AC mode, 8-10 rate, 6-8 mL/kg
Any trauma to the head, face, neck or spine, should prompt concern for what sort of injury?
C-spine
What causes an acquired saddle nose deformity (not syphilis)?
Hematoma of septal cartilage causes necrotic breakdown
Name the appropriate suture size: face
5-0
6-0
Name the appropriate suture size: scalp
3-0
5-0
Name the appropriate suture size: chest
3-0
4-0
Name the appropriate suture size: beck
3-0
4-0
Name the appropriate suture size: abdomen
3-0
4-0
Name the appropriate suture size: extremities
4-0
5-0
Name the appropriate suture size: joints
3-0
4-0
Name the appropriate suture size: oral
3-0
5-0
how long should sutures stay in place for in the face?
5 days
Where is the first stitch placed with lacerations through the vermillion border?
Exact approximation of the border
What should be done with ear lacerations?
Consult ENT of plastics
What may happen if a stitch is placed within the cartilage of the ear?
Avascular necrosis
When length of laceration of the buccal mucosa require closure?
More than 2 cm d/t food particles, infx
What is the treatment for tetanus, besides supportive?
TIG
Tetanus vaccination on opposite side of TIG
How many tetanus shots are needed to be considered fully immunized?
3
What is the bacteria classically found in animal and human bites respectively?
Animal = pasteurella Human = eikenella
What is the duration of abx for bites for treating infection and prophylaxis respectively?
10-14 days if infected
3-5 days for prophylaxis
What is the 1-4 day prodrome of rabies?
Nonspecific ILI, followed by hyperactivity