EMERGENCIES Flashcards
1
Q
Elderly female is found wandering outside her house and brought in by her neighbours
She is confused
She appears oedematous particularly in the neck
Her hands are visibly shaking
Mild hyponatremia in bloods
What is this
A
Myxoedema comma
Classic - elderly female presents confused, unwell with hyponatremia
2
Q
Why would a Crohn’s patient present with collapse due to Addisonian Crisis
A
Crohn’s mx includes steroids on a daily basis.
When a pt misses a day this will cause an adrenal crisis whereby the sudden increase in ACTH may exceed the adrenal glands ability to respond to this acute setting - because they are mostly idle as the pt takes an exogenous source of steroids.
3
Q
Whats the definitive test for aortic dissection?
A
CT with contrast
