CPS Acute Care Committee Flashcards
According to the CPS statement, what is preferred in acute asthma exacerbation: MDI vs. neb?
MDI with a spacer is the preferred device for ventolin since it is more efficient than a nebulizer -less likely to provoke hypoxemia and tachycardia than a neb -if patient needs O2, can use nasal prongs at same time as giving MDI
Biphasic anaphylactic reactions are more likely to occur in which 3 clinical scenarios? -what is the management of a biphasic anaphylaxis reaction?
- Delayed administration of epinephrine
- Presentation with severe symptoms (resp distress or hypotension)
- Multiple doses of epinephrine required
Management of Biphasic anaphylaxis reaction:
- repeat IM epi and other supportive therapies and
- admit into hospital for monitoring
For patients with anaphylaxis and cardiovascular signs (hypotension, tachycardia, delayed capillary refill), what should management be?
Aggressive fluid resuscitation with boluses!If persistently poor perfusion and hypotension despite fluid boluses, will need epinephrine infusion and ICU admission
For children younger than 2 yo, what is an indication for skull xrays in a child with minor head trauma?
-What imaging should be ordered in a patient with obvious penetrating lesion or suspected depressed skull fracture in an older patient?
Large, boggy hematoma
-in older patient, can order skull xray but CT head is more commonly performed
What is the management of patients with minor head trauma who are asymptomatic?
Discharge home to care of reliable parents with written instructions for signs to watch for (worsening headache, persistent vomiting, difficulty in awakening)
What anatomical differences in children put them at increased risk of developing an intracranial lesion due to head trauma (3)?
- Larger head to body ratio
- Thinner cranial bone
- Less myelinated neural tissue
**more commonly develop diffuse axonal injury and secondary cerebral edema compared with adults
Classify head trauma according to GCS:-minor-moderate-severe
Minor: GCS 14-15
Moderate: GCS 9-13
Severe: GCS < 8
Head Injury How does the CATCH rule define High risk injury?
(4)
B) High risk -(need for neurological intervention)
- GCS < 15 at 2 h after injury
- Suspected open or depressed skull fracture
- History of worsening headache
4. Irritability on exam
Intracranial injury is more frequent following what mechanisms of injury (3)?
- Fall from height above 3 feet or twice the length/height of the individual
- MVA
- Impact from high-velocity projectile
What are 4 signs of basal skull fracture?
- Hemotympanum
- Battle’s sign (ecchymosis over mastoid bone)
- Periorbital ecchymosis (“racoon eyes”)
- Leakage of CSF from nose or ears
**If one or more of these signs are present, do NOT place any tubes via nasal route
What does CATCH stand for?-describe the study
Canadian Assessment of Tomography for Childhood Head Injury-prospective cohort study involving 3886 children presenting with symptomatic minor head trauma to 10 Canadian pediatric teaching institutions-prospective calidation study found CATCH rule to be 98% sensitive for predicting acute brain injury
Head Injury What is the first priority in managing head injury?
Stablize vital signs to avoid secondary injury to the traumatized brain from
- hypotension ,
- hypoxia
- hyperthermia or
- raised ICP
What is the management of patients with minor head trauma who have headache, repeated vomiting, or LOC at time of trauma?
Period of clinical observation in ED x 4-6 hrs. -If symptoms improve and GCS is 15, patient may be discharged home with written instructions-If no improvement, admit to hospital with neurovitals q2-4h. May need IV rehydration-If symptoms persist > 18-24 hrs, may need CT scan if not already performed, neurosx consult
Which patients presenting with acute head trauma should receive CT head-absolute indications (3)?
- All patients presenting with moderate (GCS 9-13) or severe (GCS < 8) head trauma
- Patients with minor head trauma (GCS 14-15) who meet CATCH criteria
- Patients with focal neurological deficits
- Clinically suspected open or depressed skull fracture or a skull fracture on skull xray
Head Injury Which patients presenting with acute head trauma should receive CT head - relative indications (2)
*in addition to CATCH rule*-
- seizures at time of event or later
- -known coagulation disorder
Head Injury How does the CATCH rule define medium risk injury?-3
CT of the head is required for children with a minor head injury * plus any one of the following findings:
A) Medium risk- brain injury on CT scan
- Any sign of basal skull fracture (eg, hemotympanum, ‘raccoon’ eyes, otorrhea or rhinorrhea of cerebrospinal fluid, Battle’s sign)
- Large boggy hematoma of the scalp
- Dangerous mechanism of injury (MVC, fall from height > 3 feet or down 5 stairs, falling from bike without helmet)
Head Injury How does the CATCH rule define minor head injury? (5)
**Minor head injury:
injury in a patient with current GCS 13-15 sustained within the past 24 hrs associated with
- CNS dysfunction: witnessed LOC, definite amnesia, witnessed disorientation
- Persistent vomiting (>1 episode), irritability (in child < 2 yo)
CT head is required for children with a minor head injury PLUS any one of the following findings: from Medium or high risk categories
How does ORT work at the cellular level?
Glucose and sodium in the oral rehydration solution is cotransported by the sodium-potassium ATP pump on the enterocyte which then causes subsequent water absorption across the intestinal membrane
How frequently should you monitor serum electrolytes in children receiving maintenance IV fluids?
“Regularly”-in patienst with impaired renal water excretion, need to check at least daily
How should a rescuer decide whether CPR is necessary in an emergency situation? -lay person vs. HCP?
-
Layperson:
1. assess the victim for responsiveness
2. determine whether the patient is breathing normally. If they are not, then start CPR immediately! (ie. don’t feel for a pulse)
-HCP:
1.
- assess the victim for responsiveness
- determine whether the patient is breathing normally
- can check for a pulse but limit that to 10 secs and start CPR if no pulse is palpated or if unsure
If a child has received a benzo in the prehospital setting, how many doses of benzo should you give them in hospital if they are still seizing on arrival? -what are the risks of treating with more than 2 doses of benzos? (2)
One repeat IV dose may be adequate before moving onto second-line treatments
- if no IV access is available, a second dose of benzo should be given through buccal, intranasal, rectal or IM route while IV access is being obtained.
- timing is critically important!!! No delays if possible!
-More than 2 doses of benzos:
- Not likely to be effective
- Respiratory depression
In a patient with anaphylaxis and persistent hypotension despite fluid boluses, what is the management?
No evidence for repeated doses of IM epinephrine in improving hypotension
-need epinephrine infusion at dose of 0.1 mcg/kg/min and gradual titration to produce a normal blood pressure (max 10 mcg/kg/min)
In a patient with severe head injury, why is it important to treat post-traumatic seizures?
If left untreated, post traumatic seizures may contribute to secondary brain injury
-impact seizures or isolated seizure shortly after the event do not cause secondary brain injury
In hospitalized children 1 mo - 18 yo with normal serum sodium at baseline, what fluids should be used for IV maintenance?
D5W.0.9%NaCl (preferred) or D5W.0.45%NaCal
-when serum electrolytes are not available, start D5W0.9NaCl!
In hospitalized children 1 mo - 18 yo with serum sodium 145-154, what IV maintenance fluid should be used?
D5W.0.45%NaCl and need frequent monitoring
In published studies, what does the use of a single dose of oral ondansetron for pediatric gastroenteritis do? (3)
- Decreases frequency of vomiting in ED
- Decreases need of IV fluid administration
- MAY be effective in reducing hospital admissions
In the statement “Minimum equipment guidelines for pediatric prehospital care”, what is the most notable new recommendation made for a piece of equipment that should be available for paramedic use?
AED
In which group of children should atrovent (ipratropium bromide) be used cautiously?
In children with soy allergy
Should we use a bronchiolitis scoring system to determine whether an infant with bronchilolitis should be admitted? -what 3 parameters have been found to be most helpful in all the severity scores out there?
No.
No scoring system has been shown to have predictive validity
- parameters to focus on:
1. O2 saturation
2. Subcostal retractions
3. Respiratory rate
Up to what weight or age is a pediatric dose attenuator for AED recommended?
- Up to 25 kg OR
- Up to 8 yo
What 4 factors help determine whether an infant with bronchiolitis should be admitted?
- Respiratory status
- Ability to maintain adequate hydration
- Risk for progression to severe disease
- Family’s ability to cope
What 4 groups are at higher risk for severe bronchiolitis?
- Premature (< 3 mo at presentation
- Hemodynamically significant cardiopulmonary disease
- Immunodeficiency
What advice should be given to a parent on discharge whose child came in with an acute asthma exacerbation?
- Asthma action plan
- Inhaled corticosteroid daily x 1 month
- PO steroids x 3-5 d
- Continue ventolin MDI puffer at home at 0.3 puffs/kg to a max of 10 puffs q4h until exacerbation resolves and then prn
- F/U with family doctor within 2-4 weeks
What are 2 consistent predictors of hospitalization in bronchiolitis seen in outpatient populations?
- Age < 3 mo
- History of prematurity (<35 weeks)
What are 3 side effects of phenobarbital?
- Respiratory depression, especially if benzo has been used 2. Hypotension 3. sedation
What are 3 side effects seen with benzos in management of seizures?
- Hypotension
- Resp depression
- Sedation
What are 3 side effects seen with phenytoin in management of seizures? -limitations in terms of administration? (2)/
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Arrhythmia
Limitations in administration:
- Needs to be given in NON glucose-containing solution so either need to stop dextrose infusion or get 2nd IV line
- Has to be given over 20 minutes in NS
What are 3 treatments for acute asthma exacerbations if patient fails conventional therapy (including MgSO4 and IV steroids) and is going to PICU?
- Continuous nebulized ventolin
- IV ventolin (especially in resp failure patients since ventolin nebs will no longer reach the bronchioles given the severe level of bronchospasm)
- IV aminophylline
- Heliox
What are 4 risk factors for ICU admission and death in children presenting with acute asthma exacerbation?
- Previous intubation
- Previous ICU admission
- Previous life-threatening events
- Deterioration while already on systemic steroids
What are clinical features of acute hyponatremia (ie. decrease in Na in less than 48 hrs)?
Results from acute cerebral edema
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Cardiac/respiratory arrest secondary to brain stem herniation
What are discharge criteria from the ED for patient with acute asthma exacerbation?
- B2 agonist less often than q4h after conventional treatment 2. O2 sat > 94% on RA
- Minimal or no signs of resp distress
- Improved air entry
What are examples of H1 antagonists and H2 antagonists used in anaphylaxis?-why should you use both?
H1 antagonists: diphenhydramine and cetirizine (can use either) -cetirizine in a patient who is not vomiting is best since it is faster in onset and less sedating
H2 antagonists: ranitidine or famotidine Give both H1 and H2 antagonists because combined effect is superior in treating cutaneous manifestations compared with use of H1 antagonists alone
What are frequently encountered mistakes in management of status epilepticus? (3)
- Inadequate dosing of benzos
- Treating with more than 2 doses of benzos and a delay in initiating second-line treatment -ideally, YOU SHOULD ASK for phenobarb or phenytoin at the same time you are giving your first dose of benzo
- Delay in initiating refractory status epilepticus treatment:
RSI and intiation of midazolam infusion
What are the 3 main side effects of salbutamol? -when should patients be monitored for cardiac arrhythmias while on salbutamol?
- Tachycardia
- Hypokalemia
- Hyperglycemia
- monitor for cardiac arrhythmias if on continuous nebulized salbutamol
What are the available doses of self-injectable epinephrine?
10-25 kg: 0.15 mg EpiPen Jr
>25 kg: 0.30 mg EpiPen
(<10 kg: consider EpiPen Jr or syringe-drawn epi)
What are the benefits of steroids in acute asthma exacerbation?
- Decreased risk of relapse after initial treatment 2. Facilitates earlier discharge 3. Decreases hospitalization
What are the components of the PRAM score? (5)
- Suprasternal indrawing: -present: 2 points -absent: 0 points 2. Scalene retractions: -present: 2 points -absent: 0 points
- Wheezing: -0: absent -1: exp only -2: insp & exp -3: audible without stethoscope or silent chest with minimal air entry
- Air entry: -0: normal -1: decreased at bases -2: widespread decrease -3: absent/minimal
- O2 sat on RA: -0: >93% -1: 90-93% -2: <90%
Max pram score: 12 PRAM Score: -mild: 0-4 -moderate: 5-8 -severe: 9-12
What are the effects of epinephrine in the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis?
Alpha-adrenergic properties: increases peripheral vascular resistance and reverses peripheral vasodilation
Beta-1 adrenergic effects: inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart
Beta-2 adrenergic effects: bronchodilation and reduction of inflammatory mediator release from mast cells and basophils
What are the generic steroid names for the following:
- QVAR
- pulmicort
- flovent
- alvesco -what is the minimum age that each are licensed for use?
QVAR: bechlomethasone ->5 yo
Pulmicort: budesonide ->6 yo for dry powder ->3 mo for neb
Flovent: fluticasone ->1 yo
Alvesco: ciclesonide -> 6 yo