Course 2: Pathophysiology Everything Flashcards
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Etiology?
Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (chest pain specifically due to heart muscle ischemia)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Catch Phrase?
Chest pain with physical exertion
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Chief Complaint?
Chest pain or chest pressure. Worse with exertion. Improved by rest or NTG
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Assoc. Meds? (2)
Aspirin (ASA) PO (blood thinner)
Nitroglycerin (NTG) SL (vasodilator)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Diagnosed by?
Cardiac Catheterization (not done in the ED)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Scribe Alert? (4)
- CAD is the single greatest risk factor for an MI.
- Stress tests or cardiac catheterization assess the severity of CAD.
- A patient has CAD if they have a PMHx of angina, MI, CABG, cardiac stents, or angioplasty.
- Every patient complaining of chest pain should always receive aspirin PO, unless it was given PTA or if it is contra-indicated due to bleeding or allergy.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Etiology?
Acute blockage of the coronary arteries results in ischemia and infarct of the heart muscle.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Catch Phrase? (3)
Chest pressure with diaphoresis, N/V, and SOB
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Risk Factors? (6)
CAD, HTN, HLD, DM, Smoker, FHx of CAD
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Chief Complaint?
Chest pain or chest pressure
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Diagnosed by?
EKG (STEMI) Elevated Troponin (non-STEMI)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Assoc. Meds? (4)
ASA (blood thinner), NTG (vasodilator), beta blocker (slows HR), Thrombolytic (heparin- powerful blood thinner)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Scribe Alert? (2)
- Acute MI patients must receive aspirin as soon as possible.
- STEMI patients must get to Cath-lab within 90 min of arrival. Document ED arrival and depart time.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Etiology?
The heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Catch Phrase?
SOB with pedal edema (LE swelling) and orthopnea (SOB while lying flat)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Chief Complaint? (3)
SOB – worse while lying flat (orthopnea), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) (at night due to pressure of fluid), dyspnea on exertion (DOE)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Physical Exam? (2)
Rales (crackles) in lungs, jugular vein distention (JVD) in neck
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Assoc. Meds?
Diuretics (Lasix, furosemide) – urinate extra fluid
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Diagnosed by? (2)
CXR – heart looks like >50% of space Elevated BNP (B type natriuretic peptide) – blood test
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Scribe Alert?
You can think of CHF as a fluid traffic jam in the heart; fluid gets backed up in the neck (JVD) and down the legs (pedal edema)
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Etiology?
Electrical abnormalities in the “wiring” of the heart caused the atria to quiver abnormally.
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Chief Complaint?
Palpitations (fast, pounding, irregular)
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Risk Factors? (2)
Paroxysmal A-Fib, Chronic A-Fib
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Physical Exam? (2)
Irregularly irregular rhythm, tachycardia
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Diagnosed by?
EKG
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Assoc. Meds?
Coumadin (Warfarin) – blood thinner, prevents blood clots in atria
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Scribe Alert?
ED concern is Rapid Ventricular Response (RVR), which can cause blood clots. These patients will often be “cardioverted” which means they are put back into a regular rhythm, known as normal sinus rhythm (NSR).
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Etiology?
A blood clot becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Catch Phrase?
Pleuritic chest pain with tachycardia and hypoxia
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Risk Factors? (10)
Known DVT, PMHx of DVT or PE, FHx, recent surgery, cancer, A-Fib, immobility, pregnancy, BCP (birth control pills), smoking
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Chief Complaint?
SOB or pleuritic CP (worse with deep breaths)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Diagnosed by?
CTA Chest (CT Chest with IV contrast) or VQ scan D-Dimer aids in detecting clots, but cannot diagnose a PE. (if neg, no PE. If pos, may be PE, in which need to do CTA or VQ to diagnose.)
Pneumonia (PNA): Etiology?
Infiltrate (bacterial infection) and inflammation in the lungs.
Pneumonia (PNA): Catch Phrase?
Productive cough with fever
Pneumonia (PNA): Risk factors? (4)
Elderly, bedridden, recent chest injury, recent surgery
Pneumonia (PNA): Chief Complaint?
SOB or productive cough
Pneumonia (PNA): Assoc. Sx? (3)
Cough with sputum, fever, chest pain
Pneumonia (PNA): Assoc. Meds? (2)
Rocephin, Zithromax (antibiotics)
Pneumonia (PNA): Physical Exam?
Rhonchi
Pneumonia (PNA): Diagnosed by?
CXR
Pneumonia (PNA): Scribe Alert?
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) protocol applies to pt’s with PNA. CAP protocol requires documenting Abx, vital signs – check for low oxygen, SaO2, mental status- disoriented, and blood cultures.
Pneumothorax (PTX): Etiology?
Collapsed lung due to trauma or a spontaneous small rupture of the lung.
Pneumothorax (PTX): Chief Complaint? (2)
SOB and one-sided CP; sudden onset, often trauma patients
Pneumothorax (PTX): Physical Exam?
Absent breath sounds unilaterally
Pneumothorax (PTX): Diagnosed by?
CXR
Pneumothorax (PTX): Scribe Alert?
Document the percentage of lung collapsed (i.e. 20% PTX)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Etiology?
Long-term damage to the lung’s alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucous production (chronic bronchitis)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Risk Factors?
Smoking
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Chief Complaint?
SOB
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Physical Exam? (3)
Decreased breath sounds, wheezes, rales
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Assoc. Meds?
Home O2 (document how much O2 they use at baseline)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Diagnosed by?
CXR and Hx of smoking
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Etiology?
Constricting of the airways due to inflammation and muscular contraction of the bronchioles, known as a “bronchospasm”.
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Chief Complaint? (2)
SOB/Wheezing
Improved by nebulizer breathing treatments (bronchodilators)
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Physical Exam?
Wheezes (inspiratory or expiratory)
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Diagnosed by?
Clinically
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Scribe Alert? (5)
The physician will ask the asthma patient…
- Do they have home nebulizer (machine)?
- Have they been on steroids recently?
- Hx of hospitalization for asthma?
- Hx of intubation (breathing tube)?
- Asthma triggers?
Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Assoc. Meds? (3)
Inhalers, nebulizers, corticosteroids
Ischemic CVA: Etiology?
Blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage.
Ischemic CVA: Chief Complaint?
Unilateral focal neurological deficits: one sided weakness/numbness or changes in speech/vision
Ischemic CVA: Risk Factors? (7)
HTN, HLD, DM, Hx TIA/CVA, Smoking, FHx CVA, AFIB
Ischemic CVA: Physical Exam?
Neurological deficits: hemiparesis (weakness of left or right side), unilateral paresthesias (abnormal sensations), aphasia (difficulty with speech), visual field deficits
Ischemic CVA: Diagnosed by? (2)
Clinically, Potentially normal CT Head
Ischemic CVA: Scribe Alert? (2)
For any stroke patient, ALWAYS 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 (
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Etiology?
Traumatic or spontaneous rupture of blood vessels in the head leads to bleeding in the brain.
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Chief Complaint?
HA, sudden onset (thunderclap, worst of life)
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Assoc. Sx? (3)
Changes in speech, vision, sensation (numbness), or motor strength (weakness), AMS, Sz
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Physical Exam?
Unilateral neurological deficits
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Diagnosed by?
CT Head or LP (check spinal fluid for blood)
Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Scribe Alert?
Document tPA not indicated due to hemorrhage (because tPA is a blood thinner).
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): Chief Complaint?
Transient focal neurological deficit (changes in speech, vision, strength, or sensation)
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Diagnosed by?
Clinically
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Scribe Alert?
Document tPA considered and not indicated due to the fact that symptoms are resolved.
Meningitis- Bacterial v Viral: Etiology?
Inflammation and infection of the meninges; the sac surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Meningitis- Bacterial v Viral: Chief Complaint? (2)
HA and neck pain
Meningitis- Bacterial v Viral: Assoc. Sx? (4)
Fever, neck pain, neck stiffness, AMS
Meningitis- Bacterial v Viral: Physical Exam? (2)
Meningismus (headache, neck pain), nuchal rigidity (cannot flex neck forward due to rigidity of neck muscles)
Meningitis – Bacterial v Viral: Diagnosed by?
LP
Spinal Cord Injury: Etiology?
Injury to the spinal cord may create weakness or numbness in the extremities past the site of injury
Spinal Cord Injury: Chief Complaint? (2)
Neck pain or back pain, bilateral extremity weakness
Spinal Cord Injury: Physical Exam? (5)
Midline bony tenderness, deformities or step-offs (bones should be aligned, but not), bilateral extremity weakness, numbness, decreased rectal tone
Spinal Cord Injury: Diagnosed by? (3)
CT Cervical Spine (Neck)
CT Thoracic Spine (Upper back)
CT Lumber Spine (lower back)
Spinal Cord Injury: Scribe Alert?
Remember that during the initial physical exam the spine is often immobilized with a C-collar and backboard; document accordingly.
Seizure (Sz): Etiology?
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to abnormal physical manifestations. Often caused by epilepsy, EtOH withdrawals, or febrile sz in pediatric pts.
Seizure (Sz): Chief Complaint? (2)
Sz activity, syncope
Seizure (Sz): Assoc. Sx? (4)
Injuries (tongue-bite), confusion, HA, incontinence (urinary or fecal)
Seizure (Sz): Physical Exam? (2)
Somnolent (sleepy), confused (postictal – after sz)
Seizure (Sz): Scribe Alert? (5)
The physician will ask…
- Has the patient had a similar Sz in the past?
- Does the patient have a Hx of Sz?
- What was the date of their last sz?
- What sz medication do they take?
- Have they missed med doses?
Bells Palsy: Etiology?
Inflammation or viral infection of the facial nerve causes one-sided weakness of the entire face.
Bells Palsy: Chief Complaint?
Facial droop, sudden onset
Bells Palsy: Assoc. Sx? (2)
Jaw or ear pain, increased tear flow of one eye
Bells Palsy: Pert. Neg? (2)
No extremity weakness, no changes in speech or vision
Bells Palsy: Physical Exam?
Unilateral weakness of the upper and lower face
Bells Palsy: Diagnosed by?
Clinically
Bells Palsy: Scribe Alert?
Most common cause of facial droop in young patients who do not have CVA risk factors. Remember to document the absence of other FND.
Headache (HA) – Cephalgia: Etiology?
Various causes including hypertensive HA (from high BP), recurrent diagnosed migraines, sinusitis, etc.
Headache (HA) – Cephalgia: Chief Complaint?
HA (gradual onset), pressure, throbbing
Headache (HA) – Cephalgia: Pert Neg? (4)
No fever, no neck stiffness, no numbness/weakness, no changes in speech or vision
Headache (HA) – Cephalgia: Scribe Alert?
Always remember to document if the HA is similar or dissimilar to any prior HA. Never document “worst headache of life” or “thunderclap” onset unless specifically instructed by physician.
Altered Mental Status (AMS): Etiology?
Multiple causes: most common are hypoglycemia, infection, intoxication, and neurological.
Altered Mental Status (AMS): Risk Factors? (5)
Diabetic, Elderly, Demented, EtOH use, drug use
Altered Mental Status (AMS): Chief Complaint? (3)
Confusion, decreased responsiveness, unresponsive
Altered Mental Status (AMS): Diagnosed by?
Case dependent
Altered Mental Status (AMS): Scribe Alert?
AMS is very different than a focal neurological deficit. It is generalized and typically caused by things that affect the whole brain (drugs, low sugar). Focal neuro deficits are localized weakness/numbness in one specific area, corresponding with damage at one specific site in the brain.
Syncope (Fainting): Etiology?
Temporary loss of blood supply to the brain resulting in loss of consciousness. There are a variety of causes; most common are vasovagal and low blood volume (dehydration/hypovolemia). Occassionally, syncope occurs due to cardiac/neurologic causes.
Syncope (Fainting): Chief Complaint?
Passing out v about to pass out (near syncope)
Syncope (Fainting): Scribe Alert?
Document what happened prior, during, and after syncopal episode, as well as how the patient currently feels.