Emergency Flashcards
What are the states that require immediate medical attention?
- unstable vital signs
- change in level of consciousness
- compromise in ABC
- major trauma
What is ataxia and what are some common causes
- disturbance in smooth accurate coordination of movements, usually associated with unsteady gait Acute: - CNS: neoplasm, infection, trauma, cerebellar ataxia, toxicity - PNS: Guillan-Barre syndrome, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis Intermittent: - seizure - BPPV - migraine Chronic - congentinal anomaly - degenerative - multiple sclerosis
When do you have to intubate
GCS <8
When does toxin exposure need to be considered?
Children 1-4 with any of the following:
- acute onset multiple system failure
- altered mental status
- respiratory or cardiac compromise
- unexplained metabolic acidosis
- seizure
What are the most common ingestants
Medication - iron supplements - anti-depressants - cardiotoxic agents - salicyclate Non-drug toxins - hydrocarbons - alcohol - cosmetics - cleaning products and pesticides
Discuss the universal treatment for toxin ingestion
ABCDEFG
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation: require ECG monitor, fluids if hypotensive
- DONT is universal antidotes: Dextrose 2.5mL/kg IV, Oxygen, Naloxone, Thiamine for chronic alcoholics
- Decontamination: skin by water irrigation and GI by activated charcoal or whole bowel irrigation
Elimination: dialysis
- Focused therapy
- Get Toxin help
Discuss the differential for anion gap metabolic acidosis
MUDPILESCT
- Methanol/Metformin
- uremia
- DKA
- Paraldehyde
- Iron
- Lactate
- Ethylene glycol
- Salicyclates
- CO
- Toluene
Discuss the toxidrome for Sympathomimetics
Drugs: Amphetamines and cocaine
Presentation: Increase vital signs, agitated, mydriasis, diaphoretic
Management: supportive
Discuss the toxidrome for narcotics
Presentation: decreased vital signs, with respiratory depression, decreased LOC, miosis
Management: naloxone
Discuss the toxidrome for anticholinergics
Drugs: TCA, antihistamines
Presentation: hot as a hare (hyperthermia), mad as a hatter (confusion), dry as a bone (dry skin), red as a beet (flushing), blind as a bat (myodriasis), urinary retention and constipation
Investigations: ECG can show AV block -> wide QRS (>100ms) -> prolonged QT interval
Management: ECG changes guide treatment, antidote for TCA, supportive, fluids and NaHCO3
Discuss the toxidrome for cholinergics
Drugs: organic phosphates, pesticides
Presentation: lacrimation, salivation, urination, diarrhea, significant bradycardia
Management: atropine for organophosphate poisining
Discuss the phases of iron toxicity
1st Phase: occur 30min to 6 hours post ingestion where have GI symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hematemesis and melena
2nd Phase: stabile for 6-24hrs post ingestion
3rd Phase: shock and metabolic acidosis 6-72 hours after ingestion
- cardiac toxicity leading to pallor and shock
- hepatic toxicity leading to coagulopathy
- metabolic acidosis due to iron and lactic acidosis
4th Phase: hepatic toxicity and necrosis over 12-96 hrs
5th Phase: bowel obstruction 2-8 weeks following
What are the investigations and management for iron toxicity
Investigations:
- serum iron concentration with <63mmol/L suggesting minimal toxicity and >90mmol/L suggesting severe
- LFTs
Management:
- iron chelating agent Deferoxamine IV 15mg/kg/hr
Discuss the presentation and management of aspirin ingestion
Dose: >300mg/kg
Presentation:
- hyperthermia
- neurologic: tinnitus, confusion, seizure
- GI: nausea and vomiting
- Resp: metabolic acidosis leading to hyperventilation
Investigations:
- serum ASA level Q2H until declining
- art gas Q2H until acid-base improving
Management:
- Dextrose 50% if have neurologic symptoms
- GI decontamination with activated charcoal
- NaHCO3 to alkanilize urine
- hemodialysis if deteriorating
Discuss the presentation and management of acetominophen ingestion
Dose:
- children <6 200mg/kg or 10g
- children >6 150mg/kg
Presentation:
Day 1: have non-specific nausea and vomiting
Day 1-3: hepatitis (RUQ tenderness, elevated AST/ALT), pancreatitis, acute renal failure
Day 4-5: liver failure (jaundice, coagulopathy, hypoglycemia, enecephalopathy), renal failure, sepsis
Day 5-10: if survive previous stage will have complete liver recovery
Investigations: serum acetaminophen at presentation and then 4 hours post ingestion
Management:
- Rumack-Matthew nomogram to plot if require treatment with n-acetyl cysteine
- GI decontamination if within 1 hour