EM Clerkship Flashcards
Creatinine phosphokinase is a marker of
skeletal muscle damage and serum elevation >1,000 U/L confirms the dx
Drug induced rhabdo
1. Statins, fibrates, colchicine, ethanol, cocaine
2. cocaine, amphetamines
3. ethanol, opioids, benzos
- direct myotoxicity -
- Vasoconstrictive ischemia
- Prolonged immobilization (compression ischemia)
Pain are associated with internal or external hemorrhoids?
external
Initial management for external hemorrhoids includes
- sitz baths
- stool softeners
- topical anesthetics
Acute cervicitis
1. etiology: chlamydia trachomatis, neisseria gonorrhoeae, noninfectious (foreign object, latex, douching)
2. Asymptomatic, mucopurulent d/c, postcoital/intermenstrual bleeding, friable cervix
3. Evaluation?
4. Management?
- NAAT and/or wet mount microscopy
- Empiric treatment: ceftriaxone and doxycycline
- transmitted via undercooked poultry
- clinical features: fever, abd pain, diarrhea (mucoid +/- blood), pseudoappendicitis
—> What is this?
—> tx
—> complications
Campylobacter gastroenteritis
—> supportive care (usually self limited <7), antibiotics only in severe or high risk cases
—> Guillain-Barre syndrome, reactive arthritis
- Loss of pain and temp in the ipsilateral face (spinal trigeminal tract) and contralateral trunk/limbs (spinothalamic tract)
- Ataxia (inferior cerebellar peduncle) and nystagmus (vestibular nucleus)
- dysphagia and dysphonia
- ipsilateral horner syndrome (sympathetic tract)
Lateral medullary (wallenberg) syndrome
Acute cholangitis
1. What is it?
2. clinical presentation (charcot triad vs reynolds pentad)
3. Dx
4. Tx
- ascending infection due to biliary obstruction
- Chacot triad (fever, jaundice, RUQ pain), Reynolds pentad (+/- hypotension, AMS)
- Abnormal LFTs (increased direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, mildly increased aminotransferases)
—biliary dilation on abd U/S or CT scan - Antibiotic coverage of enteric bacteria. ERCP within 24-48 hr
what does acetaminophen overdose do to labs?
transaminases elevations are expected to be in the thousands
Alcoholic toxicity can cause alcohol hepatitis –> what is the ratio of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase ratio?
Aspartate aminotransferase to Alanine aminotransferase ratio of >=2
What lab value is elevated and most reliable in pancreatitis?
lipase
- SAAG >= 1.1 g/dL
- SAAG <1.1 g/dL
Serum to ascites albumin gradient
1. portal hypertension (often cirrhosis and heart failure) –>the hydrostatic pressure increases, causing more fluid to leave the circulation and enter the peritoneal space. This increases the SAAG because the serum albumin becomes more concentrated.
- other causes (malignancy, pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome, TB)
How to treat intussusception in children 6-36 months with periodic abdominal pain and target sign on U/S
air or water soluble contrast enema
Desmopressin is an analogue of what hormone?
Antidiuretic hormone –> ADH increases the amount of water the kidneys reabsorb from urine. ADH binds to receptors in the collecting duct, which causes the cells to insert aquaporins into their membrane. Aquaporins are channels that allow water to pass through and be reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
—> can lead to SIADH and lead to hyponatremia
Soft signs of vascular injury (unexplained hypotension, stable hematoma, reduced pulse) warrant….
CT angiogram for further evaluation
–> Diabetic ketoacidosis is sign of what type of diabetes
–> Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state is a sign of what type of diabetes?
- Type 1
- Type 2
Persistent pneumothorax and large air leak despite tube thoracostomy in setting of blunt chest trauma suggest….
- what can be used to confirm dx
- tracheobronchial rupture
- Bronchoscopy can confirm
Preeclampsia patients are at an increased risk of stroke so new focal neurologic deficits should be evaluated with..
CT scan of the head
- purulent monoarthritis OR triad of tenosynovitis, dermatitis, migratory polyarthralgia
- what is this?
- Treated with 3rd generation cephalosporin intravenously
1.disseminated gonococcal infection
—> detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urine, cervical, or urethral sample
Polyarthralgia: Asymmetric pain in multiple distal and proximal joints. Examination usually reveals pain with movement and palpation; multiarticular joint swelling, erythema, and warmth are uncommon.
Pustular rash: Most patients have 2-10 pustular or vesiculopustular lesions on the distal extremities; trunk lesions can also occur. The palms and soles may or may not be affected.
Tenosynovitis: Patients report pain over the flexor tendons of multiple distal joints (eg, wrists, ankles, fingers, toes) and/or pain with passive range of motion of the joint.
effects from a certain drug type
- mental status changes
- seizures
- tachycardia
- hypotension
- cardiac conduction delay
- anticholinergic effects (e.g. dilated pupils, hyperthermia, flushed and dry skin, intestinal ileus)
-what drug overdose is this?
- TCA overdose
–cardiac conduction delay QRS >100 msec
- deposition of IgA, C3 and fibrin in small vessels –> vasculitis
- palpable purpura/petechiae on lower extremities, arthritis/arthralgia, abd pain, intussusception, renal disease, scrotal pain and swelling
- Hematuria +/- RBC casts and/or proteinura
- supportive care for most patients (hydration and NSAIDS)
IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
management of ascites in cirrhosis
- spironolactone with furosemide
- alcohol abstinence, sodium restriction
Acute coronary syndrome - made up of what 3 things
- STEMI
- NSTEMI
- unstable angina
Acute coronary syndrome
1. first is ECG
2. this differentiates between ST or non ST elevation
3. Non-ST elevation —> what differentiates between unstable and NSTEMI?
- Positive cardiac markers = NSTEMI
- negative cardiac markers = unstable angina
NSTEMI and unstable angina management is the same
1. goals include relief of ischemic pain, assessment and maintenance of hemodynamic stability, and prevention
2. what 4 agents are used???
- antiplatelet agents (e.g. aspirin plus clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel) AND anticoagulant therapy (e.g. unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin, fondaparinux) to prevent intracoronary thrombus propagation and abrupt vessel occlusion
- beta blocker (metoprolol, atenolol) - to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and risk of ventricular arrythmia
- nitrates to reduce myocardial oxygen demand, reduce preload, relieve ischemic pain
- High intensity (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin)
Dislocation associated with humeral neck fracture typically requires (closed or open repair?)
- Open surgical repair to avoid further displacement or avascular necrosis to humeral head
—for patients with no associated fracture and no evidence of neurovascular injury, closed reduction under sedation can be attempted
benzodiazepines MOA
enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA through positive allosteric modulation at the GABA A receptor
Unstable angina or non-ST elevation MI is managed with what 5 medication types?
- Antiplatelet (aspirin + clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel)
- anticoagulant (unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, bivalirudin)
- Beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol) - to reduced myocardial oxygen demand
- Nitrates - to reduced myocardial oxygen demand, relieve ischemic pain, and reduce preload
- High intensity statins
Dislocation associated with humeral neck fracture typically requires what type of reduction/repair?
open surgical
(IMAGING) of the upper extremity is indicated for patients with signs of arterial injury (e.g. large hematoma, diminished pulses) but is not needed for patients with intact neurovascular examination
CT angiography
Differentiate between TRALI and TACO
- TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury) - rare but life threatening complication of blood product transfusion marked by a massive release of cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and other inflammatory mediators from neutrophils in pulmonary vasculature in response to transfused blood components
—> begin within a few hours of transfusion
—> pulmonary edema with hypoxia, tachypnea, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates - TACO (transfusion associated circulatory overload)
—-> Hydrostatic edema, or cardiogenic edema, caused by volume overload
—-> Distended neck veins
(blank) is rapidly progressive cellulitis of the submandibular and sublingual spaces - source of infection is most commonly an infected mandibular molar
Ludwig angina
Infants age (BLANK) as well as those with signs of intracranial infection or prolonged altered mental status, should undergo lumbar puncture to evaluate for meningitis
<6 months
What is treatment of ischemic stroke in patients with sickle cell disease
exchange transfusion
- replacing sickled cells
Cardiac beta-blocker toxicity involves reduced cAMP activity in SA and AV nodes and contractile cardiomyocytes resulting in bradyarrhythmia and hypotension –> (BLANK) counteracts by increasing cAMP activity
Glucagon
HAPE - high altitude pulmonary edema
- mechanism
Normal response to local alveolar hypoxia is hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction which diverts blood flow from poorly to better aerated alveoli, preserving ventilation-perfusion matching
—low ambient partial pressure of inspired oxygen at high altitude causes global HPV throughout the lungs
what type of precaution is needed for measles?
airborne precautions for protection against small respiratory particles
— small particles can remain suspended in air for hours in closed space (e.g. treatment room) due to their small size (<= 5 um)
management of hemorrhagic stroke
Three steps
- blood pressure control - usually with a reversible and titratable antihypertensive such as IV nicardipine or labetalol (systolic 140-160)
- Reversal of anticoagulation – vitamin K is given to warfarin patients, protamine sulfate to patients on heparin
- Regulation of ICP - elevation of head of bed, sedation, osmotic therapy
- ipsilateral hemiparesis and diminished proprioception, vibratory sensation, and light touch at the level of the spinal cord injury and below
- contralateral diminished pain and temperature sensation 1-2 levels distal to the cord injury and below
what is this?
Brown-sequard syndrome
—typically due to hemisection (disruption of half) of the spinal cord
clinical features
- Severe sore throat
- Fever
- Hot potato voice
- Dysphagia
- often unilateral pharyngeal pain
—-> exam
- trismus (tightened jaw muscles)
- muffled voice
- uvular deviation
what is it?
what is treatment?
peritonsillar abscess
—tx involves needle aspiration or incision and drainage plus antibiotic therapy
Initial management of frostbite starts with rapid rewarming of affected tissues — if persistent signs of tissue ischemia what are next step/studies?
Angiography or technetium-99m scintigraphy to identify who would benefit from thrombolysis
Type of bias
1. anchoring
2. availability
3. confirmation
4. framing
- fixating on initial impressions to make a diagnosis
- allowing recently seen or memorable cases to sway diagnosis
- emphasizing evidence that supports presumed diagnosis and overlooking information that supports other diagnoses
- allowing diagnostic approach be influenced by context and presentation of information (abd pain dx as withdrawal in pt described as drug seeking but actually SBO)
- 3-4 days of nonspecific findings (fever, myalgia, malaise)
- Rash that often starts as maculopapular lesions on the ankles and wrists and spread toward the center of the body –> progresses to petechial lesions
- LABS: Thrombocytopenia, decreased sodium, elevated aminotransferase levels
what is this? + treatment?
Rocky mountain spotted fever –> doxycycline
Ureteral stones (size) mm pass spontaneously
<= 5 mm
–give oral analgesics and increase oral fluid intake
Chemical burns from hydrofluoric acid (HF) can have direct cardiotoxic effect –> what topical treatment should be used?
calcium gluconate gel –> calcium binds to toxic fluoride ions to prevent further damage
–cardiac toxicity includes electrolyte disturbances and cardiac arrhythmias
acute iron poisoning
- abd pain, hematemesis, diarrhea, shock, liver necrosis
—> treatment?
deferoxamine
whole bowel irrigation
–> diagnostic findings can include anion gap metabolic acidosis
–> elevated serum iron
Mild vs mod/severe stridor and treatment difference
- Mild = stridor present only with agitation
–> single dose of oral glucocorticoid (e.g. dexamethasone) - Mod/severe - stridor even at rest
–> nebulized racemic epinephrine in addition to glucocorticoids
Acute mesenteric ischemia
Presentation:
- rapid onset of severe periumbilical pain, out of proportion to exam findings
- hematochezia is late finding
what are preferred diagnostic imaging?
- CT mesenteric angiography (preferred) or MR angiography
Labs:
- leukocytosis
- elevated amylase and phosphate levels
- metabolic acidosis (elevated lactate)
- Acute onset of severe eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pupillary dilation, red eye
what is this?
treatment?
Angle closure glaucoma
– tonometry reveals increased intraocular pressure
–IV acetazolamide can lower intraocular pressure
What are 6 Ps of acute limb ischemia?
–immediate treatment?
Pain, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness, poikilothermia (cool extremity), paralysis (late)
–> anticoagulation (e.g. heparin) - prevents further arterial thrombus propagation
–> some may improve clinically and some may require percutaneous thrombolysis (e.g. alteplase) or surgical thrombectomy to restore perfusion