EM Block I Flashcards
Define coma
is characterized by failure of both arousal and content functions of consciousness.
Define delirium
Delirium refers to an acute state of fluctuating attention and change in cognition
Can happen over minutes
Define Dementia
Dementia is a chronic disorder of deteriorating cognition.
What are 5 DDx for “acute brain failure”
Primary Intracranial Dz Systemic Dz Exogenous toxins Drug Withdrawal Major Trauma or Surgery
What are the hallmarks of delirium
Disordered attention and acute fluctuations
What is the W/u for Delirium
Serum Electrolytes Hepatic and Renal Studies UA/ HcG CBC CXR \+/- CT (if stroke or bleed) \+/- LP
Define Non convulsive status epilepticus
May persist for hours or even months after a seizure. There is no post ictal state and they remain altered.
So if you have a patient with a history of seizures or epilepsy that does not wake back up from a seizure, this should raise your suspicion and you must act.
An electroencephalography (EEG) are required for recognition!!! (More on this in the seizure lecture…)
What is the standard of care approach to delirium
Nonpharmacologic approaches to delirium are the standard of care.
Do we use physical restraints on the elderly
NO, we give them drugs!
What is the initial Rx of choice for acute delirium
Haloperidol is a frequent initial choice at a dose of 5 to 10 milligrams PO, IM, or IV, with reduced dosing of 1 to 2 milligrams in older adults.
Avoid giving Benzos to the elderly
In younger Pts, B52!
Benadryl 50mg,
Haldol 5mg
Ativan 2mg
If giving B52, what must you monitor for
ETCO2
When do you admit a pt with delirium
Admit the patient with delirium to the hospital for further treatment and additional diagnostic testing, unless a readily reversible cause for the acute mental status change is discovered and treatment initiated.
Consider resources in the home or healthcare facility, and the patient’s safety.
If you feel that the patient may not have great resource listed above, then admit.
If a pt presents with abrupt onset of a sentinel event with underlying dementia
What should you think
The abrupt onset of symptoms or rapidly progressive symptoms should prompt a search for other diagnoses, including delirium.
What is the general W/u for dementia
CBC CMP UA Thyroid Function Tests CXR \+/- CT
Serum B12
Serum Syphillis
HIV test
what are three conditions that can cause rapid cognitive decline
urinary tract infection, congestive heart failure, and hypothyroidism
… are just a few of the conditions that may cause a patient with mild dementia to show rapid decline!
When should you ever use antipsychotics in dementia pts
Antipsychotics, black box warning against use for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia
Reserve consideration of antipsychotic use for patients with significant risk of harm to self and others.
How is vascular dementia treated
Treatment of vascular dementia is limited to treatment of risk factors, including hypertension, tobacco use, glucose control and cholesterol.
If you see excessively large ventricles on Head CT mean
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What is Uncal Herniation
medial temporal lobe shifts to compress the upper brainstem, which results in progressive drowsiness followed by unresponsiveness.
A pt presents iwth ipsilateral pupil sluggish that eventually becomes dilated and non reactive
With ipsilateral hemiparesis
Think
Uncal Herniation
How does a central herniation present
A mid line shift without herniation
With a Progressive loss of consciousness, loss of brainstem reflexes, decorticate posturing, and irregular respiration.
How do you determine CPP
Cerebral perfusion pressure is equal to the mean arterial pressure minus the ICP
(cerebral perfusion pressure = mean arterial pressure – ICP)
In a hemispheric hemorrhage where do the eyes deviate
Hemispheric hemorrhage and midline shift may have decreased muscle tone on the side of the hemiparesis.
(Like a stroke)
The eyes may conjugately deviate toward the side of the hemorrhage.
What is the major DDx finding in toxic metabolic coma
Should be no focal or unilateral neurological deficits on exam.
-No hemiparesis
= Pupils may be small but reactive because it mainly preserved in toxic-metabolic comas.
A pt presents with small but reactive pupils and in a coma with resp depression.. think
Narc OD
Define Cushings triad
Brady HR
Irregular RR
Widened Pulse pressure ( HOTN)
If a mass presses on the supratentorial space of the brain what happens
Coma caused by lesions of the hemispheres, or supratentorial (above the tentorium) masses, may present with progressive hemiparesis or asymmetric muscle tone and reflexes.
Ie: Uncal herniation
S/S Cushings reflex
If a pt presents with dual pinpoint size pupils
Think herniation where
pontine hemorrhage, which may present with the unique signs of pinpoint-sized pupils.
A Infratentorial hemorrhages
Swelling in the posterior fossa
How can you rule out pseudo coma
Avoidance of gaze by the pt
What is the imaging of choice for brain hem
Non-Contrasted Head CT is the neuroimaging procedure of choice.
If subarachnoid hemorrhage or CNS infection is suspected but the CT in NML what is the next step
LP
Or if suspected basalir artery thrombosis get a MRI and look for a hyper dense basilar artery
What is the time frame for NSE
If the motor activity of the seizure stops and the patient does not awaken within 30 minutes, then consider nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
Obtain neurologic consultation and electroencephalography.
What are the first steps in treating ICP
HOB 30*
HYPERTONIC OR MANNITOL
IF there is a tumor? THen Dexamethasone
(only from consult instructions)
What are the downstream effects of DKA
HYPERGL
Prerenal azotemia
Ketone Formations
Wide Anion Gap Met acidosis
What are the 8 “I”s of DKA
infection Infarction (MI) Infraction (noncompliance) Infant Ischemic (CVA) Illegal drugs Iatrogenic Idiopathic
What causes N/V in DKA
High acidity causes the release of prostaglandins which lead to N/V and Abdominal PAIN
What is the better menearles of AMS in DKA, osmolality or ph or glucose?
OSM
What is the W/u for DKA
Bed side gl
VBG (measure pH) CMP CBC Anion Gap ABG
Which is the better marker for determining severity of DKA
Biacrab ?
Or glucose levels?
Bi-carb
What is the order of tx in DKA
- Volume first and foremost
- Correction of K+ deficits
- Insulin administration
What is the bolus rate for NS in DKA
20ml/kg/hr
in DKA, once the glucose reaches 250 what must be changed in the Tx
Switch to 5% dextrose
How is fluid managed in the DKA pt
20ml/kg/hr
First 2L / 0-2hours
The next 2L/ 2-6 hrs
Additional 2L/ 6-12 hours
What is the most severe electrolyte abNML in DKA
Rapid development of severe hypokalemia is potentially the most life-threatening electrolyte derangement during the treatment of DKA (not glucose management)
When should K be withheld in DKA
When should Insulin be withheld in DKA
IF the K is below 3.3 hold insulin and give K
If the K is above 5.2 then hold K and give insulin
What is the definition of DKA resolution
Glucose <200 mg/dL & 2 of the following:
- Bicarbonate level >15 mEq/L
- Venous pH >7.3
- Normal calculated anion gap (Closed Gap)
WHere do all DKA pts go
ICU
A headache that occurs while execution, heavy lifting, vomitting, sneezing, and straining
Think?
SAH or arterial dissection of the carotid or vertebrobasilar circulation- ALWAYS!!!
A headache that is associated with valsalva should make you think /?
possible intracranial abnormality such as mass/tumor.
Do migraines increase or decrease with age
Decreases with age
Does absence of fever rule out infection with a headache
NO!
What is meningismus
Pain with flexion of the neck
What family history finding is important in headache W/u
Known aneurysm or sudden death in first-degree relatives with intracranial aneurysm (3-5 times higher than in those without a family history)- so ask about FMH!!
PMH/FMH of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease also increases the risk for intracranial aneurysm
What is the abnormal number for glaucoma
> 21
When doing a W/u for a HA
What is the imaging to look at arterial dz
MRA
CTA right away
What are the Dx and Tx uses of LP
Dx: Meningitis, SAH, intracranial hypotension, carcinomatous meningitis
Tx: Pseudotumor cerebri
(However, we do not routinely just draw CSF off of people if we can weight manage or medically manage them.)
Ideally, perform the LP in the lateral decubitus position to allow for the accurate measurement of opening pressure
When is it safe to do a LP without imaging
Safe to proceed with LP without prior imaging if…
- No history of immunosuppression
(HIV, AIDS, CX, DMARDS)
-Normal sensorium
(AWOX4)
-No focal neurologic deficits
Should ABX be delayed for the results of an LP
NO!
If: Deteriorating or altered level of consciousness (particularly a GCS ≤ 11) Brainstem signs (including pupillary changes, posturing, or irregular respirations) Focal neurologic deficit Recent seizure Preexisting neurologic disorder Immunocompromised state
Then do not delay ABX initiation
What is the classic triad of Meningitis
Definition:
Headache + classic triad
(fever, altered mentation & neck stiffness)
What is the common cause of Bac Meningitis in the military
N. meningitis
Should you ever withhold empiric ABX in meningitis
NO
Never withhold empiric antibiotic therapy in order to collect fluid sample
What are the C/I for LP
Do not perform if there is coagulopathy or use extreme caution
-Platelet <20,000/µL or INR ≥ 1.5
When should you perform a Head Ct before LP in Bac Meningitidis
Complete a Head Ct before LP if you have concerns for possible herniation.
Perform LP as soon as possible to secure the diagnosis (if safe… if not, give empiric AB’s and move on)
What are the empiric ABX for 18-49yo in Bac Meningitis
18 – 49 yo
-Ceftriaxone 2gm IV PLUS -Vancomycin 15mg/kg IV
Covers S. pneumoniae and N. meningiditis
What is the empiric ABX for BAc Meningitis in pts older than 50
Same ABX but add Ampicillin
When shoudl dexamethasone be used in Bac meniginits
Dexamethasone before or with 1st dose of antibiotics to reduce inflammation
Before or with reduces hearing loss and neurological sequelae (neurological deficits).
What is the most common cause of SAH
Ruptured Aneurysm
What is the 1st step in evaluation of SAH
Non Con CT
What is xanthocromia
yellow appearance of the CSF due to the enzymatic breakdown of blood by bilirubin
Which means a SAH