EMERGENCIES Flashcards
D/d for Stridor
Foreign Body Aspiration
Infections
Presence of Stridor Indicates?
An upper airway obstruction
Stridor + Fever. Dx?
Likely an Infective upper airway obstruction.
Likely Infections: Epiglottitis, Laryngotracheobronchitis
What causes Epiglotitis?
A bacterial infection.
Most Commonly: Haemophilus influenza
Presentation of an Epiglotitis Patient
Stridor, very high fever
Patient will be in Tripod Position
More serious than Croup
Causes complete obstruction of upper airway within a few hours.
What is Tripod Position? In what instance can we see this?
Patients with Epiglotitis use this position.
Seated leaning forward, neck extended, mouth open.
Initial Management of an epiglotitis patient.
Do not disturb the child
Ask mother to keep oxygen mask on child’s face.
Do not examine throat, do not cannulate
Call anaesthetist and ENT Surgeon
Send the child to theatre or ICU
Intubation in Theatre
If it fails, a tracheostomy should be done by the ENT Surgeon.
Put a canula and start IV antibiotics (Cefotaxime, ceftriaxone)
When child gets better, Take tube out and send to ward.
What antibiotics are used for the Mx of Epiglotitis?
Ceftriaxone
Cefotaxime
What causes Croup?
Acute larygnotracheobronchitis is caused by a viral infection,
Parainfluenza virus.
Presentation of Croup
Stridor, Low grade fever, Barking Cough
Presentation of Mild Croup and Severe Croup
Mild Croup - Stridor, Barking Cough, No respiratory difficulty
Severe Croup - Barking Cough, Stridor, Cyanosis, Breathing difficulty
Mx of croup
- Steroids
a. Inhaled/ Nebulized: Budesonide (Pulmicort)
b. Oral: Dexamethasone (Commonly given), Prednisone
c. IV: Hydrocortisone - Adrenaline Nebulization (Used as a vasoconstrictor)
What’s the difference in Mx of mild and severe croup?
In Mild croup Mx - Steroids first, then Adrenaline nebulization if no response to steroids.
In Severe croup - Mx begins with Adrenaline Nebulization
A child presents with barking cough, fever and stridor. Initial Mx of Steroids followed by adrenaline nebulization yielded no response. What’s the likely diagnosis?
Psuedocroup: Bacterial tracheitis.
What causes Pseudocroup?
Staphylococcus aureus
Mx of pseudocroup
Cloxacillin
Flucloxacillin
Vancomycin
Reduced breath sounds in one side until proven otherwise is?
Foreign body aspiration
Child presenting with sudden onset stridor while eating peanuts. What’s the most likely diagnosis?
Foreign body aspiration
Mx of a child presenting with FB Aspiration
If FB clearly visible in mouth, take it out in direct vision (Blind finger sweeping is not advised).
If FB not visible but child can cough, encourage coughing.
If coughing does not bring FB out or child does not cough - Back blows, chest thrusts, abdominal thrusts.
If that does not work, cricothyroid puncture.
If that does not work, Tracheostomy
If that does not work, Bronchoscopy
Child comes in unconscious, Diagnosed as FB aspiration. What’s the Mx?
CPR
What are the X-Ray changes in a FB aspiration causing Complete obstruction?
Affected lung will collapse due to no air and the trachea will deviate to the side of obstruction.
What are the X-Ray changes in a FB aspiration causing incomplete obstruction?
Affected lung will be hyperextended. Trachea deviates to the opposite side.
Hyperexpansion - Since inspiration is an active process and expiration is passive, while air comes in not all air comes out collecting air leading to hyperexpansion.
Is it a good practice to always do a X-Ray for FB aspiration? Why?
No.
Most of the FB’s are not visualized in X-Rays.
Dx of patients with unilateral rhonchi and B/L Rhonchi.
Unilateral - FB unitl proven otherwise
B/L - Asthma until proven otherwise
Initial assessment of a 6 year old asthmatic presenting with difficulty in breathing.
A brief history - From the mother
Examine child - Auscultate for rhonchi, Check respiratory rate and HR.
What’s the purpose of checking RR and HR in the initial assessment of a known asthmatic with difficulty in breathing?
To differentiate between simple asthma and severe asthma.
What are the Cut-offs of RR and HR for Severe asthma?
<5yrs: HR > 130bpm RR > 50/min
>5yrs: HR > 120bpm RR > 30/min
6 year old. Known Asthmatic. B/L Rhonchi. HR - 140bpm. RR - 55/min. What’s the most likely Dx?
Acute severe asthma.
How are the lung sounds “Rhonchi” formed?
Due to the bronchoconstriction of the airways which causes a turbulent flow.
Differentiate between acute severe asthma and life threatening asthma.
Acute severe asthma
HR and RR above cut-off, No cyanosis, Low CO2 levels, Patient active, pH increased (Alkalosis)
Life threatening Asthma
HR and RR reduced, cyanosed, High CO2 levels, patient is drowsy, pH decreased (acidosis, SILENT CHEST (No Rhonchi)
Why are there no Rhonchi in Life threatening Asthma?
Due to complete obstruction of airway.
What happens when Acute severe asthma is not managed properly or at all?
Due to broncho-constriction,
Low Oxygen and High CO2 - Affects brain, casues drowsiness.
High CO2 - Acidosis - Supresses heart and lungs.
Low O2 - Cyanosis, Bluish Fingers
What are the 2 methods of asthma Mx?
Reducing inflammation
Broncho-dilation
Types of Bronchodilators used in Asthma MX
Nebulized - Salbutamol, Ipratropium Bromide
Injections - Salbutamol, Aminophyllin, MgSO4
Types of Steroids used in Asthma Mx
Oral - Prednisone, Dexamethasone
IV - Hydrocortisone
Mx of Acute Severe Asthma
- Nebulize with salbutamol + O2 - 3 times back to back nebulization. Time interval is time taken to refill liquid.
If child gets better (No rhonchi on auscultation) with 1st & 2nd doses, 3rd is not required.
If no Response
2. Nebulize with Salbutamol + Ipratropium Bromide.
Give a steroid as well - IV Hydrocortisone, Oral prednisone.
If no Response
3. IV MgSO4
4. Salbutamol/Aminophyllin IV
5. Chest X-Ray and Blood gas
If normal but child is not getting better - 6. Send to ICU for mechanical ventilation.
Is the efficacy of IV hydrocortisone and Oral Prednisone same/different?
The efficacy is the same.
Mx of Life threatening asthma
Same as mx of acute severe asthma, but begins with step 2.
- Nebulize with Salbutamol + Ipratropium Bromide.
Give a steroid as well - IV Hydrocortisone, Oral prednisone.
If no Response
2. IV MgSO4
3. Salbutamol/Aminophyllin IV
4. Chest X-Ray and Blood gas
If normal but child is not getting better - 5. Send to ICU for mechanical ventilation.
Adverse effects of drugs used in the Mx of Asthma
Salbutamol and Aminophylline casues increased Beta 2 Receptor activation leading to SNS over activity.
Salbutamol - Tremors, Tachycardia, Hypokalemia (Results in increased K+ intake by cells)
Aminophyllin - Arrythmia, seizures
MgSO4 - Hypotension, Respiratory arrest due to neurodepression.
(T/F)
1. Most seizures will settle within 7 minutes.
2. IV diazepam is the best benzodiazepine for generalized tonic clonic seizures
3. CBS and an ABG should be done during a seizure.
4. Most common cause of seizures in children is fever
5. Patients with snake bites can become unconscious
6.Phenobarbitone can cause arrhythmias.
7.Time duration between 2 PR diazepam doses is 10 minutes.
- F ( 5 minutes)
- F (IV Lorazepam > Midazolam
> Diazepam) - F (Only CBS)
- T ( Febrile convulsions)
- T
- F ( Respi arrest)
- T
Ideal position to keep an epileptic patient mid seizure
Left lateral position
Initial Mx of generalized tonic clonic seizure
Left lateral position
Suck out secretions
Give Oxygen
Check CBS
Anti- epileptic routes
1.iv ( BEST)- Lorazepam, Midazolam, Diazepam
2.PR (USUALLY USED)- Diazepam
3. Buccal mucosa
4. Intranasal
5.IM
PR diazepam dose
0.5mL/kg
PR diazepam can be repeated …. times
two
PR Diazepam cannot be repeated more than twice because
can cause respiratory arrest
Diazepam, Midazolam, lorazepam belongs to ( drug class)
Benzodiazepines
Final step in status epilepticus Mx if drugs fail
Send to ICU for paralysis and ventilation
During the seizure which drug route should be secured
iv - best route to deliver anti- epileptics fast
Anal atresia patient presents with status epilepticus and iv access cannot be secured, best drug route
buccal - midazolam
Benzodiazepine preference order if iv access is gained
Lorazepam > Midazolam > Diazepam
Status epilepticus Mx of a patient
1.Keep the patient in the left lateral position
2.Clear secretions from the mouth with a suction machine
3.Give Oxygen
4.Check CBS
5.Wait for five minutes to see if the episode settles. Meanwhile try and get the iv access.
6.If the episode doesn’t settle, and iv access wasn’t obtained, give anti- epileptics through another route ( PR diazepam , IM, buccal, intranasal midazolam)
7.Wait for 10 minutes and if there’s no improvement repeat.
8. No improvement- give PR Paraldehyde
9.Send the child to ICU for paralysis and ventilation
Status epilepticus Mx if IV access is gained
1.Keep the patient in the left lateral position
2.Clear secretions from the mouth with a suction machine
3.Give Oxygen
4.Check CBS
5.Wait for five minutes to see if the episode settles. Meanwhile try and get iv access.
6. Give a BZ
7. Wait five minutes
8. Repeat if no improvement
9.Give iv Phenobarbital/ Phenytoin Na
10. Send to ICU for Paralysis and ventilation
ADRS of Midazolam (BZs)
Respiratory arrest
ADRS of Phenobarbital
Respiratory arrest
ADRS of Phenytoin Na
Arrhythmia
What needs to be done before giving Phenobarbitone
Call the ICU and make sure a bed is available
What needs to be done before giving Phenytoin Na
Connect the child to a cardiac monitor
How to choose between Phenytoin and Phenobarbital if iv access is gained
depends on the child’s drug Hx.
Give the drug, the child wasn’t prescribed
Causes of seizures in children
Fever
Hypoglycemia
Reduced Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+
Meningitis