Emergency Medicine Flashcards
- •24 year old male
- •Acutely short of breath
- •HR 120
- •BP 129/87
- •RR 35
- •SpO2 98% on 15LO2
- •GCS 15
What are the differentials?
- •Pneumothorax
- •Anaphylaxis
- •Asthma
- •Pneumonia
- •Cardiac failure
- •ARDS
- •Pleural effusion
History:
- Known asthmatic
- •Acute SOB today
- •No chest pain
- •SPO2 92% on arrival- 98% with O2
- •Chest- bilateral wheeze
- •No other PMH
- •Able to say a few words
What is the diagnosis?
Likely asthma attack
What is the examination in an effusion?
Stony dullness to percussion
Absent or reduced breath sounds
What should you ask an asthmatic having an acute asthma attack?
- Previous ITU - Must ask if they have ever been intubated; If yes then will most likely need admission.
- Other medical conditiosn
- Allergies
- Any infective symptoms
What is the pathophysiology of acute asthma?
- •Reversible airway disease
- •Hyper reactivity
- •Airflow limitation
What are the treatments?
- •Nebulised salbutamol
- •IV salbutamol
- •Nebulised adrenaline
- •Nebulised magnesium
- •Oral steroids
- •IV steroids
If acute asthmatic is getting worse what must you do?
Give IV medication
Call for specialist help
What is the difference between severe vs life threatening asthma?
- Decompensating - unable to maintain adequate PO2 and PCO2
- Drowsy due to rising PCO2, hypotension or exhaustion
- Need intubation
What is a non-blanching rash characteristic of in someone who is acutely unwell?
Meningitis
What is an uricarial rash characteristic of?
Anaphylaxis - it is raised, itchy and blanching.
What are the differentials?
- •34 year old female
- •Suddenly felt unwell
- •Widespread urticarial rash
- •HR 130
- •BP 75/40
- •Collapsed
- •Wheezy
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Acute severe asthma
- Sepsis
- Anaphylaxis
- Pneumonia
Pathophysiology of anaphylaxis.
Capillaries become leaky and fluid goes everywhere
Body learns to react quickler next time you are exposed to the antigen.
What does and medication is given in anaphylaxis?
Adrenaline 500mcg
0.5ml 1:1000 IM (slowly goes into cells and doesn’t have massive effects on the heart)
Why do we put legs in the air in anaphylaxis?
To increase blood flow to heart
What are the effects of adrenaline on receptors around the body.
- α1 – vasoconstriction and relaxation of GI tract
- α2 – platelet aggregation and reduction in noradrenaline release from nerve terminals
- β1 – inotropic and chronotropic cardiac effects and relaxation of GI tract
- β2 – bronchodilatation, increase in noradrenaline release from nerve terminals, increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in mast cells and basophils, reduction in the release of cellular mediators
Tombstoning ECG
Mostly anterior but all around
Which pulse would you measure?
With low BP you can lose all your peripheral pulses si it is always better to measure the central BP