Emergency Medicine: Pretest Flashcards
What is the best method of diagnosing corneal abrasions?
Slit-lamp examination by observing fluorescein uptake in the area of the defect
Patients wearing contact lenses should be treated with topical antibiotics with antipseudomonal coverage.
Any patient presenting to the emergency department in the second or third trimester of pregnancy with bleeding should have ultrasound performed before pelvic examination to rule out what?
Placenta previa
Placenta previa is a contraindication to digital examination of the cervix, as placental trauma from the examination itself can lead to prfuse vaginal bleeding.
What is the best method of diagnosing benign positional vertigo?
Dix-Hallpike maneuver
The maneuver involves having the patient go from sitting to a supine position with eyes open and head rotated to the affected side. The test is positive if the maneuver reproduces vertigo and the patient exhibits latent rotary nystagmus.
What intracompartmental pressure measured with a Stryker device is considered diagnostic of compartment syndrome?
> 30mmHg
The presence of a pulse does not rule out compartment syndrome. The only way to diagnose compartment syndrome is to measure intracompartmental pressure with a Stryker device.
Altered mental status, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity make up the classic triad for what condition?
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
This is a rare, but fatal reaction commonly associated with the use of antipsychotics. The cornerstone of treatment is supportive care with rapid cooling, fluid and electrolyte repletion, and monitoring. Dantrolene, a nonspecific skeletal muscle relaxant, generally used in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia, is also effective for NMS.
Which street drug can cause significant hyponatremia?
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
It is a potent stimulus for serotonin release which results in the excessive release of vasopressin (ADH). This combined with large free-water intake (increased thirst), and increased sodium loss from physical exertion (dancing) result in hyponatremia.
All patients with chest pain and shortness of breath should recieve what test?
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
It is a quick, noninvasive test that often provides substantive information.
What is the appropriate management of a patient who presents after exposing an eye to superglue?
Application of large amounts of erythromycin gel in the eye
This lubricates the eye and prevents the abrasive effect.
What is the first-line therapy for patients with stable supraventricular tachycardia?
Adenosine
It is safe and effective and has a short half-life. It blocks conduction at the atrioventricular node leading to a brief period of asystole, which can be very disconcerting to those recieving or administering the medication.
Which medication is notorious for causeing seizures that are refractory to standard therapy?
Isoniazid
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is the treatment of choice.
What has proven effective for both prophylaxis and treatment of acute mountain sickness?
Acetazolamide
Supplemental oxygen and a descent of 1500 to 3000 feet will reverse high-altitude sickness in most cases. Nausea and vomiting can also be treated symptomatically. Hyperbaric oxygen is indicated in severe cases.
What must happen for “flail chest” to occur?
Fracture of 3 or more adjacent ribs at two points
What is the most common cause of arrest in children?
Respiratory
What is the most useful diagnostic test in a patient suspected to have a spinal epidural abscess?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Respiratory depression with apnea, interrupted by periods of agitation and combativeness (especially following attempts at intubation) are a distinctive feature of intoxication with which substance?
Gamma-hdroxybutyrate (GHB)
GHB is a natural neurotransmitter that induces sleep. It has been sold as a muscle builder (sleep increases release of growth hormone), a diet aid, and a sleep aid. Patients with GHB overdose generally have a decreased level of consciousness. In contrast to other sedative/hynotic overdoses, the level of consciousness tends to fluctuate quickly between agitation and depression.
Which organ is most commonly injured as a result of blunt abdominal trauma?
Spleen
In approximately 66% of cases, it is the only damaged intraperitoneal organ. The liver is the second most commonly injured organ.
Brown-Sequard syndrome (hemisection of the spinal cord) results in what symptoms?
- Ipsilateral motor paralysis
- Contralateral loss of pain and temperature
What is the treatment for post-lumbar puncture headache?
A blood patch
This is done by injecting an aliquot of the patient’s blood in a sterile fashion just external to the dura mater at the same interspace where the LP occurred.
Which toxic alcohol does not cause metabolic acidosis?
Isopropyl alcohol
This is because it is metabolized to acetone, a ketone, not an acid. Isopropyl alcohol intoxication is often remembered by “ketosis without acidosis.” Another unique finding is the presence of “pseudo renal failure” or isolated false elevation of creatinine with a normal BUN. This results from interference of acetone and acetoacetate by the colorimetric method used to measure the creatinine level.
What are the two main therapeutic agents in treating hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose and neomycin
Serum ammonia level is usually elevated in hepatic encephalopaty. Lactulose is a poorly absorbed sugar metabolized by colonic bacteria that traps ammonia and helps excrete it in the stool. Neomycin is a poorly absorbed aminoglycoside that is believed to act by reducing colonic bacteria responsible for producing ammonia.
Which medication is the most effective and most rapid means of reducing preload in a patient with congestive heart failure?
Nitroglycerin
Nitrates decrease myocardial preload and, to a lesser extent, afterload. Nitrates increase venous capacitance, including venous pooling, which decreases preload and myocardial oxygen demand. It is most beneficial when the patient who presents with congestive heart failure is also hypertensive. It is administered sublingually, intravenously, or transdermally. By contrast, Sodium Nitroprusside is is a mixed venous and arteriolar dilator; it reduces both pre- and afterload. It can be used in patients with acute pulmonary edema, but is typically reserved for individuals with a systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg who fail to respond to adequate doses of standard preload reducers.
What causes miliaria rubra (heat rash)?
Sweat gland blockage and staphylococcal infection
What cause of chest pain occurs at rest and follows a circadian pattern, with most episodes occurring in the early hours of the morning?
Prinzmetal (Variant) angina
This is caused by focal coronary artery vasospasm.
1-2 weeks of fever, localized pain in the back, and progressive weakness is suggestive of what diagnosis?
Spinal epidural abscess
An elevated white blood cell count is also commonly seen. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful diagnostic test.