ECEs: Neck up, peripheral, & systemic Flashcards
What is altered mental status?
Decrease in LOC
What is the DDx for altered mental status (overal mnemonic)?
DIMS: Drugs Infection Metabolic Structural
What are some drug-related causes of altered mental status? (4 categories; name at least 1 example of each)
Abuse (opiates, benzos, alcohol, illicit drugs)
Accidental (carbon monoxide, cyanide)
Prescribed (Beta-blockers, TCAs, ASA, acetaminophen, digoxin)
Withdrawal (Benzos, EtOH, SSRIs)
What are some infectious causes of altered mental status? (2 categories, 3 examples each)
CNS: meningitis, encephalitis, cerebral abscess
Systemic: sepsis, UTI, pneumonia, skin/soft tissue, bone/joint, intra-abdominal, iatrogenic (indwelling lines or catheter), bacteremia
What are some metabolic causes of altered mental status? (4 categories, 1 example each)
Kidneys: electrolyte imbalance, renal failure, uremia
Liver: hepatic encephalopathy
Pancreas: hypoglycemia, DKA, HHS
Thyroid: hyper or hypo
What are some structural causes of altered mental status? (3 categories, 2 examples each)
Cardiac: ACS, dissection, arrythmias, shock
Brain: Stroke, Sz, hydrocephalus, surgical lesions
Bleeds: any ICH – epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, SAH; acute or chronic
What are important components of the history in altered mental status?
Collateral from family/friends/EMS Onset, progression Preceding events Comparison to baseline Trauma PMHx, Rx
What are important components of the initial/acute physical exam in altered mental status?
Standard rapid assessment:
ABCs, primary survey
vitals including temp & glucose
rapid neuro exam (GCS, focal deficits)
What labs would you order for altered mental status?
CBC, lytes, BUN/Cr, LFTs, INR/PTT, serum osmolality, VBG, troponin, urinalysis, drug levels
What tests (non-BW) would you order for altered mental status?
ECG, CXR, CT head
How do you acutely manage altered mental status, in general?
Supportive + Treat underlying cause Universal antidotes Broad spectrum Abx Warm/cool, BP control Consider admitting for workup
What are the universal antidotes?
dextrose, oxygen, naloxone, thiamine
What are the 3 most common primary types of headache?
Migraine, Cluster, and Tension
What is the typical presentation of migraine?
POUND: Pulsatile, Onset 4-72h, Unilateral, N/V, Disabling
photo/phonophobia, recurrent, +/- aura
What is the typical presentation of cluster headaches?
Unilateral sudden sharp retro-orbital pain
<3h
Usually at night
Autonomic: congestion, rhinorrhea, lacrimation, facial flushing
pseudo-Horner’s syndrome (ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis, and hyperemia)
precipitated by EtOH, smoking
What is the typical presentation of tension headache?
tight band-like pain, tense neck/scalp muscles, precipitated by stress or lack of sleep
What is the intracranial DDx for headache?
Bleed: epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, intracerebral
Infection: meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess
Increased ICP: mass, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
What is the extracranial DDx for headache?
Acute angle closure glaucoma
Temporal arteritis
Carotid artery dissection
CO poisoning
What are red flags for headache?
Sudden onset Thunderclap Exertional onset Meningismus Fever Neuro deficit Altered mental status
What are the symptoms of increased ICP?
persistent vomiting
headache worse lying down and in the morning
What components of the physical exam are important for assessing headache?
Vitals, detailed neuro exam
Neck flexion for meningeal irritation
Eye exam (slit lamp, IOP)
Temporal artery tenderness
What investigations should be done for headache?
Most benign headaches do not require further investigation.
Neuroimaging based on Ottawa SAH rule.
LP: if CT head -ve, but suspicion of SAH
ESR/CRP if ?temporal arteritis
What is the Ottawa SAH Rule?
Decision rule to rule out SAH.
Use in: Alert patients ≥15 years old, new severe atraumatic headache, maximum intensity within 1 hour.
If any of the following features, SAH cannot be ruled out:
- Age≥40y
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Witnessed LOC
- Onset during exertion
- Thunderclap headache (instantly peaking pain)
- Limited neck flexion on exam
How do you manage benign headaches in the ED?
Fluids: no clear evidence, but consider if dehydrated
Antidopaminergic agent: Metoclopramide 10mg IV
Analgesic: Acetaminophen 1g po
NSAIDs: Ketorolac 15-30mg IV or Ibuprofen 600mg po
Steroids: Dexamethasone 10mg po/IV (rebound migraine prophylaxis)
What is the current (2016) definition of sepsis?
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated response to infection
What is SIRS? What are the criteria?
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome 2 or more of: T < 36 or > 38.3 HR > 90 RR > 20 or CO2 < 32 WBC < 4 or > 12
What history is important for sepsis?
Associated symptoms
Full ROS
Comorbidities
(Trying to ID a focus)
What physical exam components are important for workup of sepsis?
Vitals
Volume status
Look for a focus
What is the full septic workup? (Labs and other tests)
Labs: CBC, lytes, extended lytes BUN/Cr LFTs VBG, Lactate INR/PTT Blood/urine C&S Tests: ECG, CXR
What is the RUSH exam (for sepsis)?
Imaging protocol: "Rapid Ultrasound for Shock and Hypotension" Includes: heart (parasternal long view, 4 chamber) IVC view Morrison’s (RUQ) and splenorenal (LUQ) views bladder window aorta pneumothorax
What is the general management for sepsis?
Monitors, oxygen, vitals, 2 large-bore IVs
What is the 3h recommendation for sepsis?
For 3h after first suspicion of sepsis Draw lactate IV fluids Draw cultures (Before Abx) Start Abx
What is the 6h recommendation for sepsis?
For 6h after first suspicion of sepsis
Repeat lactate
Fluid assessment
Maintain MAP > 65
What steps are taken for resuscitation in sepsis?
Fluids; if needed, Vasopressors; if then needed, Steroids
How is fluid resuscitation done in sepsis?
1-2L NS IV bolus initially, then guided by clinical reassessment
What vasopressors are used in sepsis resuscitation, & when?
If not fluid responsive:
norepinephrine 2-12 mcg/min
What is the role of steroids in sepsis resuscitation? What is the dosing?
If refractory to fluids and vasopressors, add steroids
Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV
What is the empiric antibiotic regimen in sepsis?
Pip-Tazo 3.375g IV + Vancomycin 1g-1.5g IV
What is the meningitic dose regimen in sepsis?
Ceftriaxone 2g IV \+ Vancomycin 2g IV \+ dexamethasone 10mg IV \+/- Acyclovir 1g IV (for HSV encephalitis)
What are two important goal-directed therapy targets in sepsis?
MAP > 65 mmHg
Urine output > .5 cc/kg/h
What are the five major toxidromes?
Sympathomimetic Sedative/Hypnotic Opioid Cholinergic Anticholinergic
What are the features of the sympathomimetic toxidrome?
MS: Restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, mania, agitation, anxiety
Pupils: Mydriasis
Vitals: Tachycardia, HTN, hyperthermia
Other SSx: Tremor, warm skin, diaphoresis, piloerection, hyperreflexia, seizure
What substances can cause the sympathomimetic toxidrome?
Amphetamines Cocaine Serotonergic drugs LSD Ephedrine
What are the features of the sedative/hypnotic toxidrome?
MS: sedation, confusion, delirium, coma
Pupils: Normal
Vitals: Hypothermia, hypotension, bradycardia
Other SSx: Nystagmus, hyporeflexia
What substances can cause the sedative/hypnotic toxidrome?
EtOH, benzos, GHB, barbiturates
What are the features of the opiate toxidrome?
MS: sedation, confusion, coma
Pupils: myosis
Vitals: hypoventilation
Other SSx: Hyporeflexia
What substances can cause the opiate toxidrome?
Opioids (e.g. morphine, heroin, fentanyl)
What is mydriasis?
dilated pupils
What is miosis?
constricted pupils
What are the features of the anticholinergic toxidrome?
MS: Psychosis, delirium, Sz, coma
Pupils: mydriasis
Vitals: tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia
Other SSx: dry red hot skin, urine retention, constipation
What substances can cause the anticholinergic toxidrome?
TCA atropine antihistamines Antipsychotics Antispasmodics Carbamazepine
What is a mnemonic for the anticholinergic toxidrome?
Dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare
What is a simple 2-step tool to figure out the toxidrome?
Pupils
If Dilated, look at Skin.
Sweaty: sympathomimetic. Dry: anticholinergic
If Pinpoint, look at Ventilation.
High: cholinergic. Low: Opiate.
Eyes N but depressed LOC: think sedative/hypnotic.
What is the basic approach to a toxic patient?
ABCDE: ABC, then: Detect and correct: universal antidotes, correct vitals, corrext Sx (eg Sz), consider decontamination/enhanced elimination Emergency antidotes (specific)
What methods can be used to decontaminate or enhance elimination?
Activated charcoal is the gold standard for most drugs Laxatives can be an adjunct Whole bowel irrigation for Fe Topical lavage for skin or eye exposure May progress to hemodialysis NOT: ipecac, gastric lavage
Name 8 sight-threatening ocular emergencies (require urgent ophthalmology consultation)
from back of eye out:
- central retinal artery occlusion
- Retinal detachment (especially when macula threatened)
- intraocular foreign body
- endophthalmitis
- acute glaucoma
- acute iritis
- corneal ulcer
- gonococcal conjunctivitis
- chemical burn
- lid/globe lacerations
- giant cell arteritis
Name the 5 life-threatening ocular emergencies (require urgent ophthalmology consultation)
- Proptosis (r/po cavernous sinus fistula, thrombosis)
- CN3 palsy with dilated pupil (aneurysm, compressive lesion)
- Papilledema (elevated ICP)
- Orbital cellulitis
- Leukocoria: white reflex (r/o retinoblastoma)