Clinical Emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

Asthma A to E findings.

A

A. Tongue swelling, cough, cyanosis, unable to complete sentences

B. Wheeze, reduced chest expansion, tachypnoea, increased respiratory effort, silent chest

C. Tachycardia

D. Drowsiness (carbon dioxide retention)

E. Rashes

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2
Q

Asthma investigations.

A
  • Bedside: PEFR, ECG, ABG, SaO2
  • Bloods: FBC, U&E
  • Imaging: CXR
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3
Q

Asthma Management.

A
  • Warn ICU is severe or life-threatening asthma attack
  • Bronchodilataion: nebulised slabutamol 5mg with high flow oxygen
  • Steroids: IV hydrocortisone 100 mg or PO prednisolone 40-50 mg
  • Oxygen: 15 L/min oxygen through a non-rebreathe mask if saturations < 92%
  • If life-threatening:
    • Add nebulised ipratropium bromide 500 mcrg
    • Administer IV magnesium sulphate 1.2-2 g over 20 mins
  • If responding to treatment:
    • 4-hrly salbutamol nebulisers
    • Prednisolone 40-50 mg OD for 5-7 days
    • Monitor PEFR and SaO2
  • If NOT responding to treatment:
    • ​Refer to ICU for intensified therapy (e.g. intubation, IV aminophylline)
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4
Q

Acute exacerbation of COPD A to E findings.

A

A. Cough (productive?)

B. Wheeze, crepitations (infection?), bronchail breathing, increased respiratory effort

C. Tachycardia, raised JVP (right heart strain)

D.

E. Fever

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5
Q

Acute exacerbation of COPD investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG, ABG
  • Bloods: FBC, U&E, CRP, sputum culture
  • Imaging: CXR
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6
Q

Acute exacerbation of COPD management.

A
  • Bronchodilator: nebulised salbutamol 5 mg/4hr + nebulised ipratropium bromide 500 mcrg/6hr
  • Oxygen: if SaO2 < 88% start 24-28% oxygen via venturi mask aiming for 88-92%
  • Steroids: IV hydrocortisone 200 mg (or oral prednisolone)
  • Antibiotics: following trust guidelines (e.g. amoxicillin, doxycycline)
  • If no response to treatment → Refer to ICU
    • Consider IV aminophylline
    • Consider NIV
    • Consider intubation and ventilation
    • Consider respiratory stimulant (e.g. doxapram)
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7
Q

Acute coronary syndrome A to E findings.

A

A.

B. Shortness of breath

C. Tachycardia, arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock

D.

E. Sweating, anxiety

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8
Q

Acute coronary syndrome investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG, capillary glucose
  • Bloods: troponin, FBC, U&E, blood glucose, cholesterol
  • Imaging: CXR
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9
Q

Acute coronary syndrome management.

A
  • Immediate
    • ​IV morphine 5-10 mg (repeat after 5 mins if necessary)
    • IV metoclopramide 10 mg
    • 15 L/min oxygen via non-rebreathe mask if hypoxic
    • PO aspirin 300mg AND PO clopidogrel 300 mg OR PO ticagrelor 180 mg
  • STEMI
    • Percutaneous coronary intervention if able to reach PCI centre within 120 mins of first medical contact
    • Fibrinolysis (alteplase) within 30 mins of admission if PCI unavailable
  • NSTEMI
    • ​SC Fondaparinux 2.5 mg OD
    • Assess risk and need for angiography (e.g. GRACE score)
  • Drugs and take away on discharge
    • ​Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 75 mg OD for life AND clopidogrel 75 mg OD for 1 year OR ticagrelor 90 mg for 1 year)
    • ACE inhibitors (e.g. ramipril 1.25-2.5 mg OD - increasing up to 10 mg)
    • Statin (e.g. atorvastatin 80 mg OD)
    • Beta-blocker (e.g. bisoprolol 2.5 mg OD - increasing up to 10 mg)
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10
Q

Acute heart failure A to E findings.

A

A. Cough, pink frothy sputum

B. Cardiac wheeze, tachypnoea, bibasal crepitations

C. Tachycardia, raised JVP, S3 gallop rhythm, displaced apex

D. Anxious, sweaty

E. Pale, sitting up, ankle swelling

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11
Q

Acute heart failure investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG, ABG
  • Bloods: troponin, U&E, BNP
  • Imaging: CXR, echocardiogram
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12
Q

Acute heart failure management.

A
  • Sit upright
  • 15 L/min oxygen via non-rebreather mask
  • Gain IV access
  • Diamorphine 1.25-5mg IV (caution in liver failure and COPD)
  • Furosemide 40-80 mg IV STAT
  • GTN spray 2 puffs sublingual
  • If NO response to treatment
    • ​Repeat furosemide dose
    • Consider CPAP
    • Consider nitrate infusion
    • Consider ITU admission
  • If stable following response to treatment
    • ​Monitor daily weight
    • Repeat CXR
    • Switch to oral diuretics (furosemide or bumetanide)
    • To take away on discharge
      • ​ACE inhibitor
      • Beta-blocker
      • Consider spironolactone
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13
Q

Pulmonary embolism A to E findings.

A

A.

B. SOB, haemoptysis, normal breath sounds, cyanosis

C. Hypotension, tachycardia, raised JVP (right heart strain)

D.

E. Swollen, tender calf

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14
Q

Pulmonary embolism investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG, ABG
  • Bloods: FBC, U&E, clotting, D-dimer
  • Imaging: CXR, CTPA
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15
Q

Pulmonary embolism management.

A
  • 15 L/min oxygen via non-rebreathe mask if hypoxic
  • Morphine 5-10 mg IV (with metoclopramide 10 mg IV)
  • Treatment with DOAC (apixaban or rivaroxaban)
  • If critically ill (haemodynamically unstable) with massive PE → immediate thrombolysis
  • Ongoing management
    • ​Compression stockings
    • Continue DOAC
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16
Q

Sepsis A to E findings.

A

A.

B. Tachypnoea, cough

C. Hypotension, slow capillary refill, tachycardia

D. Low GCS

E. Rash, cellulitis (? source infection)

17
Q

Sepsis investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG
  • Bloods: FBC, U&E, lactate, glucose, blood culture
  • Imaging: depending on cause (e.g. CXR)
18
Q

Sepsis management.

A

Sepsis 6

  • High flow oxygen
  • IV fluids (e.g. bolus 0.9% NaCl 500 mL over 10-15 mins)
  • Take blood cultures
  • Give broad-spectrum antibiotics according to trust guidelines
  • Monitor urine output (consider inserting catheter)
  • Take lactate (ABG)
19
Q

Anaphylaxis A to E findings.

A

A. Stridor, angioedema

B. Cyanosis, wheeze, reduced breath sounds due to airway obstruction

C. Hypotension

D. Low GCS

E. Rash (urticaria), allergy bracelet

20
Q

Anaphylaxis management.

A
  • If airway copromised: secure airway and give high flow oxygen
  • Administer 0.5 mcrg adrenaline IM (i.e. 0.5 mL of 1:1000)
    • Repeat every 5 mins if needed
  • Secure IV acccess
  • Administer 10 mg chlorphenamine IV and 200 mg hydrocortisone IV
  • Administer IV fluid bolus if in shock
  • Ongoing management
    • ​Allergy clinic to identify allergen (skin prick testing + specific IgE)
    • Discharge with two adrenaline auto-ejectors
    • Teach to self-infect adrenaline
21
Q

Stroke A to E findings.

A

A.

B. Laboured, abnormal (e.g. depressed, Cheyne-Stokes)

C. Irregularly irregular (AF)

D. Unequal pupils (space-occupying lesion?), low GCS, low BM (hypoglycaemia), unilaterally increased or decreased tone, weakness

E.

22
Q

Stroke investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG, capillary glucose
  • Bloods: FBC, U&E, lipids, clotting, cardiac enzymes, G&S
  • Imaging: CT head, carotid doppler
23
Q

Stroke management.

A
  • Oxygen if SpO2 < 94%
  • Nil by mouth
  • Treat arrhythmia and low glucose if present
  • Request urgent CT head scan
  • Once haemorrhagic stroke has been RULE OUT:
    • Aspirin 300 mg PO STAT (administer PR if concerns about swallow)
    • Consider thrombolysis with tPA if:
      • Age < 80 yrs and < 4.5 hours from start of symptoms
      • Age > 80 yrs and < 3 hours from start of symptoms
  • Will need physiotherapy and SALT input
  • To take away
    • ​After 2 weeks, switch from 300 mg Aspirin to 75 mg Clopidogreal OD PO
    • Statin (e.g. atorvastatin 80 mg)
    • Blood pressure medication
    • Anticoagulants (e.g. apixaban or warfarin) if co-existing AF
24
Q

Acute upper GI bleed A to E findings.

A

A. Blood in mouth

B. Coughing (aspirated blood)

C. Hypotension, tachycardia, peripherally shut down, prolonged capillary refill

D. Dizziness

E. Abdominal pain, chronic liver disease (jaundice, spider naevi et.c)

25
Q

Acute upper GI bleed investigations.

A
  • Bedside: BP
  • Bloods: group and save, X-match 6-10 units of blood, clotting screen, LFT, FBC, U&E
  • Imaging: endosopy
  • Scoring system: Rockall
26
Q

Acute upper GI bleed management.

A
  • Immediate
    • ​Protect airway and keep NBM
    • Insert two large-bore cannulae
    • Rapid IV crystalloid infusion up to 1 L
    • Use O-ve blood until X-match is complete if grade 3-4 shock
    • Correct clotting abnormalities (e.g. vitamin K, FFP, PCC)
    • Consider referral to ICU for central venous lins
    • Insert catheter to monitor urine output
    • Urgent endoscopy
    • If MASSIVE BLEED: may require tamponade with Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
    • Medical manageent
      • Major ulcer bleeding → omeprazole 80 mg IV STAT over 40-60 mins
      • Variceal bleeding → terlipressin 2 mg SC QDS
27
Q

Diabetic ketoacidosis A to E findings.

A

A. Vomit, ketotic breath

B. Laboured breathing (Kussmaul)

C. Tachycardia, dehydrated

D. Drowsy, confused

E. Insulin injection sites, insulin pump

28
Q

Diabetic ketoacidosis investigations.

A
  • Bedside: capillary glucose and ketones, urine dipstick, ECG
  • Bloods: lab glucose and ketones, U&E, ABG/VBG, FBC, blood culture, amylas
  • Imaging:
29
Q

Diabetic ketoacidosis management.

A
  • Insulin
    • ​Add 50 U Actrapid to 50 mL 0.9% NaCl
    • Infuse continuously at 0.1 U/kg/hour
    • Aim for fall in ketones of 0.5 mmol/L/hour OR rise in venous bicarbonate of 3 mmol/L/hour with a fall in glucose of 3 mmol/L/hour
    • If not achieving these targets, increase insulin infusion by 1 U/hour until targets are achieved
  • Check VBG at 1 hour, 2 hours and 2 hourly thereafter
    • Focus on pH, bicarbonate, glucose and potassium
  • Consider LMWH
  • Once glucose < 14 mmol/L, start the patietn on 10% glucose at 125 mL/hour alongside saline
  • Continue fixed-rate insulin until ketones < 0.3 mmol/L, venous pH > 7.3 and venous bicarbonate > 18 mmol/L
  • Treat any precipitatns of DKA (e.g. infection)
  • Fluid replacement
    • ​ Use 0.9% NaCl
    • Usual fluid deficit: 100 mL/kg
    • Replace fluid deficit over 48 hours
  • Potassium replacement
    • ​ Usual deficit: 3-5 mmol/kg
    • Do NOT add K+ to the first bag
    • Monitor urine output and only add K+ once urine output > 30 mL/hour
    • Check U&E hourly and replace as necessary
    • If serum K+ is 3.5-5.5 mmol/L → add 40 mmol of K+ to 1 L of fluid
30
Q

Acute kidney injury A to E findings.

A

A. Vomiting

B. Tachypnoea, cough (pulmonary oedema), bibasal crackles

C. Tachycardia, fluid overload

D. Confusion (uraemia), oliguria

E. Abdominal pain (retention)

31
Q

Acute kidney injury investigations.

A
  • Bedside: ECG (hyperkalaemia), urine dipstick, urine sample (MC&S, ACR), ABG (acidosis)
  • Bloods: U&E, calcium, phosphate, FBC, CRP/ESR, LFTs, CK, renal screen
  • Imaging: USS, CXR
32
Q

Acute kidney injury management.

A
  • Treat HYPERKALAEMIA
    • ​10-30 mL 10% Calcium Gluconate IV over 2-10 mins (can repeat every 15 mins up to 5 doses until K+ corrected)
      • N.B. IV calcium gluconate must be administered by a doctor (i.e. not a nurse) due to risk of arrhytmia
    • 10 U Actrapid with 100 mL 20% glucose IV over 10 mins
    • Consider 5 mg Salbutamol nebuliser
    • Monitor ECG and ensure quick access to defibrillator
    • Repeat U&E
    • ABG to check for acidosis
  • Treat the CAUSE
    • ​Hypovolaemia → IV fluids
    • Retention → catheterise
    • Pulmonary oedema → cautious use of furosemide
  • Indications for urgent dialysis
    • ​Refractory hyperkalaemia
    • Refractory pulmonary oedema
    • Uraemic complications (e.g. pericarditis, encephalopathy)
    • Severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.2)