Emergency Notes Flashcards
What is the acronym to assess breathing?
RATES - Rate, auscultate, trachea, effort, SpO2.
What Investigations do you order for trauma patient?
FBC, UEC< LFT< Lipase, Coags, G+H
CXR - haemothorax
FAST - Focused Assessment with sonography in Trauma - intra-abdominal blood and cardiac tamponade
Pelvic XR - Pelvic CTA
What is the coagulopathy of trauma?
A lethal triad of:
Acidosis - causes clotting factor dysfunction. Inadequate tissue perfusion in hypovolaemic shock - metabolic acidoses. Resp issues - resp acidosis
Hypothermia - platelet dysfunction, enzymatic function disrupted. Acidosis and hypothermia are synergist and when both present worsen coagulopathy more.
Haemodilution - fluid administration. Iatrogenic coagulopathy. Alterations in the coag system induced by large volumes of IV fluids or unbalanced components of blood administration.
How many stages of haemorrhagic shock are there?
4
What 8 factors change through the stages of haemorrhagic shock?
Blood loss (mL)
%Blood loss
Pulse
BP
Pulse pressure
RR
Urine output
CNS
Describe the first stage of haemorrhagic shock.
Less than 750mL blood loss (less than 15%). Pulse less than 100, BP is normal, Pulse pressure is normal or elevated, RR is 14-20, Urine output is over 30 mL/hr, CNS is slightly anxious.
Describe the second stage of haemorrhagic Shock
Blood loss 750-1500 mL, 15-30%. Pulse 100-120, N BP, decreased pulse pressure, RR 20-30, Urine output 20-30 mL/hr, Mildly anxious.
Describe the third stage of Haemorrhagic shock.
1500-2000 mL blood loss (30-40%), 120-140 PR, lowered blood pressure, lowered pulse pressure, 30-40 RR, 5-15 ml/hr of urine output, and confused.
Describe the fourth stage of haemorrhagic shock.
Over 2L blood loss, over 40%. Over 140 HR, with lowered BP and pulse pressure. Over 35 RR, Neglible urine output and confused and lethargic CNS.
What is a major trauma?
Major injury affecting more than one body system or
Injury severity score over 15.
What is the trauma call criteria?
Mechanism: Fall over 6m, high risk MVC, MBC, vehicle vs pedestrian.
Specific injuries: Flail chest, paralysis, proximal penetrating injuries or amputations, pelvic fractures, multiple long bone fractures, crushed or mangled extremity.
Physiological derangement: GCS less than 14, SBP less than 90, RR over 30 or less than 10.
Patient factors: Extremities of age, pregnant.
How to fill out the injury severity score?
Score the worst injury at each region of the body - from No injury - minor - moderate - serious - critical - unsurvivable
Total out of 75 - Head and neck, face, chest, abdo, pelvis, extremity.
What are the trauma bloods?
FBC, UEC, VBG, Group and crossmatch, Coags, Lipase, LFTs
Besides trauma bloods, what other investigations would you consider for major trauma?
ABGs, BSL, Temp, ECG, FAST US, XR, CT, diagnostic peritoneal aspirate or diagnostic laparotomy.
What does TBI stand for?
Traumatic Brain Injury
How do we classify TBI?
Primary - injury to the brain that occurs at the time of impact or insult with immediate effects, eg direct trauma to the brain, haemorrhage, contusion, axonal shearing.
Secondary - occurs as a result of insult the the brain after the initial injury, can cause worsening damage. Eg hypotension, hypoxia, anaemia, hypercapnia, electrolyte distrubance.
Or by location:
Extradural, Subdural, subarachnoid, intraparenchymal.
What clinical features can you get from TBI?
Eyes - VI nerve palsy. Ipsilateral fixed and dilated pupils, papilledema.
Cushing’s triad
Motor and sensory abnormalities
Blood or CSF from ears
Posturing
What is Cushing’s Triad and what does it indicate?
Systolic hypertension - widening pulse pressure
Bradycardia
Respiration abnormalities - decreased or irregular
Indicates transtentorial herniation.
Outline the treatment for TBI
Head CT
ABCDE + ATLS
Secure airway, intubate, C-spine precausions
Optimise ventilation, O2, EtCO2 monitoring 30-35
IVC, maintain BP, reverse anticoagulation
BSL
Look for other injuries, normothermic
Other:
Antiemetic prophylaxis - ondansetron
Seizure Prophylaxis
Sedation if combative
Increased ICP: Head elevation to 90 degrees, Mannitol, Hypertonic saline.
What is Serotonin Syndrome?
A drug related complication resulting form increased brain stem serotonin activity, usually precipitated by the use of one or more serotonergic drugs.
What drugs are associated with serotonin syndrome?
SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, TCA
Metoclopramide, Ondansetron
Amphetamines, Opioids
St John’s Wart
CNS stimulants
What symptoms are associated with serotonin syndrome?
CNS: Headache, agitation, hypomania, confusion, hallucination, coma
Autonomic: Pupil dilation, sweating, hyperthermia, tachycardia, nausea
Somatic: Akathisia, tremor, clonus, myoclonus, hyperreflexia
Severe: Seizures, metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, Renal failure, DIC, Malignant hyperthermia.
What criteria are used for serotonin syndrome?
The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria
What is the antidote used in serotonin syndrome?
Xyproheptidine, Olanzipine, Chlorpromazine. Used for mild-moderate refractory to benzos.
How do you manage serotonin syndrome?
Cessation of serotoninergic medications
Supportive management - Benzodiazepines for clonus
Atypical antipsychotics with serotonin antagonist activity
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine with serotonin antagonism in severe cases
Hyperthermia - benzodiazepines for muscle hyperactivity and vecuronium if severe.
Prognosis of serotonin syndrome?
Most symptoms resolve within 24 hours. But deaths have occurred.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome?
A life threatening reaction that occurs due to Neuroleptic or antipsychotic medications.
What drugs can cause NMS?
- Haloperidol, droperidol, promethazine, chlorpromazine.
- Clozapin, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine
- Dopaminergic drugs: Levodopa on cessation, metoclopramide.
What is the pathophysiology of NMS?
Blockade of dopamine receptor D2 leading to abnormal function of the basal ganglia and muscular Sx. Atypical antipsychotics also affect serotonin, GABA and glutamate worsening the syndrome.
What are the symptoms of NMS?
FEVER - fever, encephalopathy, Vital instability (autonomic Sx), Elevated Enzymes (CK, rhabdomyolysis), Rigidity of muscles.
Can be agitated, delirious, coma, hyperkalaemia, renal failurek, seizures.
Onset within 1 week, Reaches peek in approx 3/7. Can last 8hrs - 1 month.
How to treat NMS?
Cessation of causative medication
If hyperthermic - active cooling
Symptomatic management
Dantroline for severe rigidity
?Bromocyptine
What is anticholinergic syndrome?
The inhibition of cholinergic neurotransmitters at muscarinic receptor sites following ingestion of certain medications.
What are the causative agents of anticholinergic syndrome?
Anti-histamines, anti-Parkinson’s, Atropine, Anti-spasmodics, Skeletal muscle relaxants.
What are the symptoms of anticholinergic syndrome?
Flushing, dry skin
Mydriasis
Altered Mental Status
Fever
Tachycardia and HTN
Myoclonic jerking
Urinary retention
Dysrhythmias
Seizure
“Mad as a hatter, Dry as a bone, Red as a beet, Hot as a desert, Blind as a bat”