EM Board Review Flashcards
Causes of Elevated Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis
4 categories:
1) Renal failure (uremia)
2) Lactic acidosis: Sepsis, Cardiac arrest, Liver failure, Iron, Metformin, Cyanide, Carbon monoxide,Thiamine deficiency
3) Ketoacidosis: Diabetic, Alcoholic, Starvation
4) Exogenous poisoning: Methanol, Ethylene glycol,Salicylate, Isoniazid
Most common cause of fracture in children less than 8 years old.
supracondylar fracture
Name age of ossification
CRITOE
1 - Capitellum
3 - Radial Head
5 - Internal (medial) epicondyle
7- Trochlea
9 - Olecranon
11 - External (lateral) epicondyle
Which branch of median nerve is commonly injured in supracondylar fractures?
anterior interosseous, integrity is checked my patient making the “ok” sign
What levels are DECREASED in iron deficiency anemia?
hemoglobin (anemia), MCV (microcytosis), MCH (hypochromia), MCHC (hypochromia), reticulocyte count, and ferritin
What levels are INCREASED in iron deficiency anemia?
increased TIBC, transferrin, and RDW (RBC Distribution Width)
What are cause of erythema multiforme?
Herpes simplex virus (most common)
Mycoplasma
Sulfonamides
Penicillin
Barbiturates
Phenytoin
Lupus
Hepatitis
Lymphoma
What can be used to minimized delayed absorption of phenytoin?
multi-dose activated charcoal, phenytoin has delayed and erratic GI absorption
What are signs of phenytoin toxicity?
- GI disturbances
- Nystagmus
- Ataxia
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Dysphasia
- Dysrhythmia
- Death
What are side effects of phenytoin?
- Gingival hyperplasia
- N/V
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Bone marrow suppression
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Teratogenecity
What causes the cardiac toxicity in phenytoin? And what IV infusion rate?
Cardiac toxicity is due to the propylene glycol diluent, usually at a rate above 50 mg/min IV.
Phenytoin may be useful for dysrhythmias caused by what medication?
Digitalis
Is dialysis effective a removing phenytoin?
NO. Dialysis is NOT effective in removing phenytoin because it is highly protein bound.
When rewarming frostbite, what must be insured first?
Rewarming should be undertaken in an environment where there is no risk of refreezing, as doing so worsens the chance of recovery. A core temperature of at least 35°C must be achieved prior to actively rewarming the frostbitten area. he affected area should then be immersed in circulating water at 37°–39°C.
Most common cause of hemoptysis worldwide?
Tuberculosis
What causes hemoptysis and renal dysfunction?
Goodpasture’s syndrome or Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener’s)
What causes hemoptysis in those with history of TB or sarcoidosis?
aspergilloma
Where should penile escharotomy be performed?
Penile escharotomy should be performed on the mid-lateral aspect of the shaft.
What is Brown-Sequard Syndrome?
See image
What are the different degress of frostbite?
see image
What are the symptoms and associations with myxedema coma?
see image
What could be used to treat epinephrine autoinjector injuries into the finger or hand?
Subcutaneous phentolamine injected into the original puncture site. It is the one treatment consistently described that rapidly reverses digital ischemia.
Mix 0.5 mL phentolamine and 0.5 mL 1% lidocaine
What pathogen causes fulminant bacteremic illness after a dog bite and is more common in alcoholics, post-splenectomy, or other immunosuppressed patients?
Capnocytophaga canimorsus
Formula for calculating osmolar gap
2*[Na}+{BUN}/2.8+{glucose}/18+{ethanol}/4.6
An osmolal gap> 10 mosmol/kg suggest a toxic alcohol ingestion
The presence of which component in urine is suggestive of ethylene glycol intoxication?
calcium oxalate crystals
What is the Ranson Criteria at admission?
Age > 55 years
WBCs > 16,000/mm3
Glucose > 200
LDH > 350
AST > 250
What is the Ranson Criteria 48 hours after admission?
Hematocrit fall > 10%
BUN rise > 5
Calcium > 8
PO2 < 60 mmHg
Base deficit > 4
Fluid sequestration > 6L
Name characteristics of Bullous Pemphigoid.
- Autoimmune disease of elderly
- Autoantibodies against basement membrane
- Subepidermal
- Begins as pruritic papules
- Large, tense blisters/bullae
- Older (>60 years) individuals
- Nikolsky negative
- Treatment is wound care, corticosteroids, doxycycline and immunosuppressants
Name characteristics of Pemphigus vulgaris.
- Younger (40-60 years)
- Involves mucuous membranes
- Flaccid blisters
- Nikolsky positive
- IgG autoantibodies to desmosomes
What are mycotic aneurysms?
- Material originating in the heart causes arterial wall infection and dilation
- Aneurysms associated with bacterial endocarditis (as defined by Osler)
- When in the femoral arteries, frequently associated with acute limb ischemia due to thrombosis within the aneurysm
What is hemolytic transfusion reaction?
- The most serious transfusion rxn
- ABO incompability
- Lysis of transfused RBCs
- Hemoglobinemia and hemoglubinuria
- Symptoms: immediate F/C, HA, N/V, myaglia, dark urine, hypotension
- Management: 1) strop transfusion, 2) immediate vigorous IVF, 3) diuretic therapy to maintain UOP 1-2 ml/kg/hr
What symptoms can massive transfusion cause?
coagulopathy, hypothermia, hypocalcemia
What is a febrile transfusion reaction?
- Cause by recipient antibody response to donor leukocytes, leading to release of cytokines
- Most common, generally self limited and entirely resolved w/slowing or stopping the transfusion
What is Graft-Versus Host Reastion for blood transfusion?
- Occurs when the donor blood attacks the lymphoid tissue of the recipient or host
- Exam will reveal hepatomegaly and labs with abnormal LFTs and pancytopenia
- Immunocompromise, rash
- Prevention: irradiated blood products in immunocompromised
What is transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)?
- Like ARDS
- Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema leading to bilateral patchy infiltrates within 4 hrs of transfusion
- Severe hypoxemia (<90% on room air), fever, hypotension, tachycardia
- Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates (w/in 6 hrs of transfusion)
- Rx: stop transfusion
How does a delayed transfusion reaction present?
- 3-4 weeks after transfusion
- Decreased hemoglobin
Organisms with highest false positive rates for blood cultures?
Coagulase negative staphlococcus
Bacillus species
Propionibacterium species
Viridans streptococci
What are the most common nutritional deficiencies that causes pancytopenia?
Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies
What is the most common cause of hereditary pancytopenia?
Fanconi anemia
What are causes of pancytopenia?
Aplastic anemia
Chloramphenicol
Leishmania donovani
Megaloblastic anemia
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Radiation sickness
Transfusion-associated GVHD
Name the position (medial vs lateral) to the inferior epigastric artery for direct and indirect inguinal hernias.
Indirect: abdominal contents pass lateral to the IEA, through the inguinal canal, into scrotum or labia through internal inguinal ring.
Direct: abdominal contents pass medial to the IEA, directly behind the superficial inguinal ring and do not extend into scrotum.
MDs Don’t Lie. (referring to position of hernia to IEA)
What is pathognomonic for Lisfranc fracture?
Ecchymosis on the plantar surface (bottom/sole) of the foot.
Where do Spigelian hernias occur?
Spigelian hernias occur at an area of abdominal muscle weakness at the lateral edge of the rectus abdominus muscle.
What is the most commonly first reported symptom of aortic stenosis?
dyspnea > CP > syncope
Which of the following laboratory studies is most consistent with a diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
hyponatremia (particularly common when there is CNS involvement)
Note: WBC and hematocrit are generally normal. pt may have thrombocytopenia and mild elevation of AST/ALT.
Fever present in 99% of pts
Treatment is ALWAYS doxycycline, even in children
What is the difference between epiglotitis vs group vs bacterial tracheitis vs retropharyngeal abscess?
See image.
Retropharyngeal abscess presents with toxic appearance, drooling, muffled voice, and fever much the same as epiglottitis; however, lateral soft tissue neck radiographs will reveal prevertebral widening of the soft tissues as opposed to a “thumbprint sign.” Retropharyngeal lymph nodes tend to involute and atrophy by about 5 years of age making it a rare diagnosis in older children. Typically it presents in children between the ages of 2 and 4.
What are the differences between LeFort Fractures Type I, II,and III?
See image. LeFort Fractures II/III are associated with CSF rhinorrhea
Why do you not want to start an inuslin drip first in hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome?
Insulin is not started before hydration is addressed because it causes water and electrolytes to move into the cells, potentially worsening intravascular volume depletion and hypokalemia. The recommended target for maintaining a reasonable blood sugar without a high likelihood of iatrogenic hypoglycemia is 250-300 mg/dL.
What antibiotics should be used for hepatic abscesses?
Ceftriaxone and flagyl.
What is the algorithm for pediatric pulseless arrest?
See image.
What is the diagnosis criteria for SBP?
a polymorphonuclear leukocyte count ≥ 250 cells/mm3
WBC count > 1000 cells/mm3
or pH < 7.34.
What is the diagnosis criteria of SBP for peritoneal dialysis?
See image.
Name the scoring systems of the NIHSS.
See image
What laboratory result is most suggestive of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Albuminocytologic dissociation on CSF analysis (elevated protein with a low white blood cell count).
Is arthralgia associated with erythema nodosum?
Yes,in 90% of cases
Name and characterize the 4 hypersentivity reactions.
see attached
What should be given acutely for management of tumor lysis syndrome in the ED?
IVF. Do not start rasburicase in the ED (there are some absolute contraindications)
What are the indications for hemodialysis in tumor lysis syndrome?
- Potassium >6
- Significant renal insufficiency (Creatinine >10)
- Uric Acid >10
- Symptomatic hypocalcemia
- Serum phosphorus >10
- Volume overload
What is the calculation for uncuffed ETT in pediatric airways >2 years?
4 + (age/4)
What are the indications for urgent thoracotomy based on chest tube output?
- initial chest tube output of > 20 mL/kg (or 1500 mL)
- subsequent output of > 200 mL/hour
- persistent bleeding at a rate >7 ml/kg/h
Describe the different blast category injuries.
see image
What is the greatest predictor of emergency physician burnout?
compassion fatigue (emotional exhaustion) from contact with others
Describe the 5 Salter Harris fractures.
see attached
The plaintiff must prove that the physician violated what four legal elements to win a lawsuit?
- Duty: reasonably competent care, legal duty exists
- Breach of Duty/Abandonment
- Causation: proximate cause
- Damages: tangible injury occurred
What electrolyte abnormalities occur early in rhabdomyolysis?
Hypocalcemia (most common)
hyperkalemia
hyperphosphatemia
What diagnosis does a positive head impulse test point to in a patient with continuous vertigo?
Vestibular neuritis
Describe the difference in decompression sickness vs arterial gas embolism.
see image
What are the symptoms associated with an organic cause of psychosis?
Older patient
Sudden onset
Waxing and waning cognition
Disoriented
Aphasia
Visual hallucinations
Abnormal vital signs, physical exam
What compound is increased in rhabdomyolysis due to direct cell membrane damage?
cytoplasmic calcium concentration and ultimately apoptosis
At what gestational age is the greatest overall radiation risk?
2-8 weeks when organogenesis occurs
At what gestational age is the greatest risk to the developing central nervous system?
Weeks 10-17 of gestation
What test is helpful in ruling out the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus?
antinuclear antibody
What fluid should be used to resuscitate a hypothermic patient?
Normal saline because Lactated Ringer is poorly metabolized by the cold liver.