Course 2: Diseases Flashcards
Course of diagnosis
- Subjective complaints and risk factors
- Differential diagnoses
- Objective evaluation
- Final diagnosis
Associated symptoms
Specific symptoms that raise the physician’s suspicion for a particular differential diagnosis
Pertinent negatives
Specific symptoms that are not present which lower the physician’s suspicion for a particular differential diagnosis
The Triple Threat
Hypertension (HTN), Hyperlipidemia (HLD), Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Effects of chronically high blood glucose
Cerebrovascular accident, diabetic retinopathy, cardiac disease, renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy
Effects of chronically high blood pressure
Cerebrovascular accident, retinopathy, cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, renal failure
Effects of chronically high cholesterol
Cerebrovascular accident, cardiac disease, pancreatitis
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Etiology
Narrowing of the coronary arteries causing reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Risk Factors
HTN, HLD, DM, Smoking, Family history of CAD/MI < 55 years old
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Chief Complaint
Angina: Exertional chest pain or chest pressure
Modifying Factors: Worse with exertion, Improved with rest and/or nitroglycerin
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Associated Symptoms
Shortness of breath
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Medications
Nitroglycerin (NTG) to manage angina; Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to decrease the chance of a blockage
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Method of Diagnosis
Cardiac catheterization (CAD cannot be diagnosed in the ED)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Pertinent Scribe Information
A patient has CAD if they have a past medical history of angina, MI, CABG, cardiac stents, or angioplasty
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Etiology
Acute blockage of the coronary arteries causing ischemia or infarct to the heart muscle
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Risk Factors
CAD, HTN, HLD, DM, Smoking, Family history of CAD < 55 years old
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Chief Complaint
Chest pain or chest pressure
Modifying Factors: Worse with exertion, Improved with rest and/or nitroglycerin
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Associated Symptoms
Diaphoresis, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Medications
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), Nitroglycerin (NTG), Thrombolytic (Heparin)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Method of Diagnosis
STEMI: Diagnosed by EKG (may also have elevated troponin)
Non-STEMI: Diagnosed by elevated troponin
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Pertinent Scribe Information
Document ED arrival time, EKG time, ASA time, cath lab departure time; STEMI patients must get to the cath lab within 90 minutes of arrival
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Etiology
The heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Risk Factors
History of CHF, HTN, HLD, DM, Kidney disease, Smoking
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Chief Complaint
Shortness of breath
Modifying Factors: Worse with lying flat (orthopnea), Worse with exertion - Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE), Episodically worse at night - Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Associated Symptoms
Bilateral lower extremity swelling, fatigue, cough
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Medications
Diuretics (Lasix, Furosemide) → Intended to cause urination of excess fluid
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Physical Exam Findings
Rales (crackles) in lungs, Jugular Vein Distention (JVD), Pedal edema
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Method of Diagnosis
CXR and elevated B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Pertinent Scribe Information
If patient has CHF history, document their current dosage of Lasix; search echocardiograms and document the cardiac output (EF or ejection fraction) and cardiac valve function
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Etiology
Electrical abnormalities in the “wiring” of the heart causes the top of the heart (atria) to quiver abnormally
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Risk Factors
Paroxysmal A Fib, Chronic A Fib, Alcoholism
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Chief Complaint
Palpitations (fast, pounding, irregular)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Associated Symptoms
Global weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Medications
Coumadin/Warfarin (blood thinner), Digoxin (slows down heart rate)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Physical Exam Findings
Irregularly irregular rhythm
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Method of Diagnosis
EKG
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Pertinent Scribe Information
ED concern is Rapid Ventricular Response (RVR) which is A Fib with a rate greater than 100 bpm; patients who have A Fib are at increased risk for developing blood clots and often take a blood thinner
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Etiology
A blood clot becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Risk Factors
Known DVT, Past medical history of DVT/PE, Family history of DVT/PE, Recent surgery, Cancer, A Fib, Immobility, Pregnancy, Birth control pills (BCPs), Smoking
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Chief Complaint
Chest pain
Modifying Factors: Worse with deep breaths (pleuritic)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Associated Symptoms
Shortness of breath, Hypoxia (low oxygen saturation), Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Method of Diagnosis
Screening tool: D-Dimer
Diagnostic tool: CTA chest (CT with IV contrast)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Pertinent Scribe Information
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in an extremity (not in the lungs); symptoms of a DVT include extremity pain and swelling and has the same risk factors as a PE; a DVT is diagnosed by an ultrasound of that extremity
Pneumonia (PNA) Etiology
Infiltrate (bacterial infection) and inflammation inside the lung
Pneumonia (PNA) Risk Factors
Elderly, Bedridden, Immunocompromised, Recent chest injury, Recent surgery
Pneumonia (PNA) Chief Complaint
Productive cough
Pneumonia (PNA) Associated Symptoms
Shortness of breath, fever, chest pain
Pneumonia (PNA) Medications
Rocephin and Zithromax (antibiotics)
Pneumonia (PNA) Physical Exam Findings
Rhonchi
Pneumonia (PNA) Method of Diagnosis
CXR
Pneumonia (PNA) Pertinent Scribe Information
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) protocol requires documenting antibiotics (abx), vital signs, SaO2, mental status, and blood cultures
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Etiology
Long-term damage to the lungs’ alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucus production (chronic bronchitis)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Risk Factors
Smoking
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Chief Complaint
Shortness of breath
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Associated Symptoms
Wheezing, cough, chest tightness
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment
Bronchodilators, supplemental oxygen, corticosteroids, ventilatory support
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Physical Exam Findings
Decreased breath sounds, wheezes
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Method of Diagnosis
COPD not diagnosed in ED; CXR ordered to check for pneumonia in ED due to acute exacerbation of COPD due to infection
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Pertinent Scribe Information
Document the patient’s baseline O2 requirement
Asthma Etiology
Constricting of the airway due to inflammation and muscular contraction of the bronchioles, known as a “bronchospasm”
Asthma Risk Factors
Personal or family history of asthma, Smoking, Occupational exposures, Obesity, Allergies
Asthma Chief Complaint
Shortness of breath
Modifying Factors: Improved with “breathing treatments”, Exacerbated by certain triggers
Asthma Associated Symptoms
Wheezing
Asthma Treatment
Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, inhalers (inhaled corticosteroids) or nebulizers
Asthma Physical Exam Findings
Wheezes (inspiratory or expiratory)
Asthma Pertinent Scribe Information
Be sure to document the patient’s oxygen saturation; if the patient becomes hypoxic, they may require supplemental oxygen or additional interventions
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) vs Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
CVA and TIA both involve abnormal blood flow in the brain; CVA causes permanent brain damage, while TIA does not
Ischemic CVA Etiology
Blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage
Ischemic CVA Risk Factors
HTN, HLD, DM, Smoking, History of TIA/CVA, Family history of TIA/CVA, A Fib
Ischemic CVA Chief Complaint
Unilateral focal neurological deficits: One-sided weakness/numbness or changes in speech/vision
Ischemic CVA Medications
tPA (thrombolytic) will be administered if the patient meets the criteria
Ischemic CVA Physical Exam Findings
Unilateral neurological deficits
Ischemic CVA Method of Diagnosis
Clinically, following a CT head in order to rule out hemorrhagic CVA
Ischemic CVA Pertinent Scribe Information
Document the date and time they were “last known well” (at baseline) as well as the source of this information; this is used to assess eligibility for tPA; Also, document tPA considered and if it was not indicated due to:
- Onset greater than 3 hours or unknown/unreliable time of onset
- Symptoms are rapidly improving
Hemorrhagic CVA Etiology
Traumatic or spontaneous rupture of blood vessels in the head leads to bleeding in the brain
Hemorrhagic CVA Risk Factors
HTN, Anticoagulant use, Recent head trauma
Hemorrhagic CVA Chief Complaint
Severe, sudden onset (“thunderclap”) headache
Hemorrhagic CVA Associated Symptoms
Nausea, AMS, Focal neurological deficits (unilateral weakness, numbness, tingling, changes in speech/vision)
Hemorrhagic CVA Physical Exam Findings
Unilateral neurological deficits
Hemorrhagic CVA Method of Diagnosis
Combination of CT head, clinical presentation, and in rare cases lumbar puncture
Hemorrhagic CVA Pertinent Scribe Information
Document “tPA not administered due to hemorrhage”
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Etiology
Vascular changes temporarily deprive a part of the brain of oxygen (symptoms usually last less than 1 hour)
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Risk Factors
HTN, HLD, DM, Smoking, History of TIA/CVA, Family history of TIA/CVA, A Fib
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Chief Complaint
Transient focal neurological deficits (changes in speech, vision, strength, or sensation)
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Method of Diagnosis
Clinically
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Pertinent Scribe Information
TIA’s are also known as “mini strokes” because symptoms usually last < 1 hour and there is no permanent brain damage; document TPA considered and not indicated due to the fact that symptoms are resolved
Meningitis Etiology
Inflammation and infection of the meninges (the sac surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
Meningitis Risk Factors
Recent international travel, Recent exposure to a sick contact
Meningitis Chief Complaint
Headache, neck pain or stiffness, fever, AMS
Meningitis Physical Exam Findings
Meningismus, Nuchal rigidity
Meningitis Method of Diagnosis
Lumbar puncture (LP)
Meningitis Pertinent Scribe Information
Meningitis is notoriously hard to diagnose; any person with a headache or fever will likely be asked if they have headache, neck pain, or fever; be sure to document all of the symptoms that the patient has and does not have
Altered Mental Status (AMS) Etiology
Globalized confusion, caused by things that affect the entire brain; most common are hypoglycemia, infection, intoxication, and neurological
Altered Mental Status (AMS) Risk Factors
Known infection (commonly UTI in elderly patients), Diabetic, Elderly, Dementia, Alcohol use, Drug use
Altered Mental Status (AMS) Chief Complaint
Confusion, Decreased responsiveness, Unresponsive