everything Flashcards
serotonin syndrome presentation:
confusion, sweating, agitation, HYPEReflexia(remember as Increased Reflexes), myoclonus.
Manage: by stopping SSRI and supportive care.
TCA(tricyclic antidepressant) over dose presentation:
confusion, seizure, tachycardia, hypotension, dilated pupils(mydriadsis) and ecg: prolonged Qtc interval and QRS duration.
ALL(Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) signs triad:
- Recurrent infections(Neutropenia)
- Pallor and Fatigue (Anaemia)
- Purpuric Rash (Thrombocytopaenia)
also weight loss and presenting in younger children.
ddx: HSP/ ITP= differentiating factor is that ALL has recurrent infections.
Lateral Medullary Syndrome(also called Wallenburg syndrome)- is a stroke affecting PICA
PICA lesion-cerebellar signs(ataxia/nystagmus), contralateral sensory loss and ipsilateral Horner’s(ptosis and miosis)
lateral pontine syndrome
Very similar to lateral medullary syndrome- ALSO has ipsilateral facial paralysis(as facial nerve is involved) and deafness.
Middle cerebral artery syndrome(stroke)
Hemiparesis(weakness to move one side of body)+sensory loss- UPPER is affected more than lower. (these presentations are on opposite side to site of lesion)
partial anterior circulation syndrome
Includes 2 of:
- Unilateral hemiparesis and/or Hemisensory loss
-Homonymous hemianopia
-Dysphasia(speech difficulty)
posterior cerebral artery syndrome
Presents with:
- homonymous hemianopia
-MACULAR sparing in eye opposite to lesion side
-visual agnosia(unable to recognise objects)
Parkinsons- management
patients without a diagnosis need to be referred to neurology(specialist first)- then to be started on Levo-dopa(if motor symptoms are affecting ADLs)
benign essential tremor management
Propanolol(because it is a beta blocker)
Parkinsonism Triad Symptoms
Resting tremor, Bradykinesia, Rigidity
example of MAO b inhibitors(parkinson medication)
rasagiline, selegiline, safinamide
side effects of levo dopa
dry mouth, psychosis, postural hypotension, palpitations, anorexia, one off phenomenon(large variations in motor performance), dyskinesias at peak dose
Examples of dopamine receptor agonists:
cabergoline, bromocriptine, ropinirole
GCS emergency action:
need to intubate if GCS is less than 8.
- lost airway is more immediately life threatening than blood loss.(ABC)
GCS scale:
3 sections: MVE(Motor, Verbal, Eye opening) - out of 15 points.
- Motor(out of 6):
1. none
2. Extends to pain
3. abnormal flexion to pain
4. withdraws from pain
5. localises to pain
6. obeys commands
-Verbal(out of 5):
1.none
2.sounds
3.words
4.confused
5.orientated
-Eye opening(out of 4):
1. none
2. to pain
3. to speech
4. spontaneous
PPH(post partum haemorrhage) causes:
most common cause= uterine atony
other causes= 4 Ts:
1. tone(uterine atony)
2. tissue(retained placenta eg. if there is placenta accreta)
3. thrombin: clotting/bleeding disorder
4. trauma(perineal tear)
placenta accreta
placenta is deeply implanted and grows in uterine wall.
PPH: risk factors and management:
Risk factors= previous PPH, prolonger labour, pre eclampsia, emergency c section, polyhydramnios
Management: is an emergency
- 1. ABC(cannula, lie woman flat, bloods group and save, start warm crystalloid function)
2. catherisation and rubbing up the fundus
3. medical: iv oxytocin, IV ergometrine(CI in hypertension), carboprost(IM)(CI in asthma), misoprostol(sublingual)
4. if medical mx. fails= surgical: intrauterine balloon tamponade.
epilepsy medications for different types of seizures:
- Generalised tonic clonic:
-males= sodium valproate
-females= lamotrigine - focal seizures(localised to only one side of the brain): males and females give same
1st line: lamotrigine
2nd line: carbamazepine - absence seizures: same for both genders
1st line: ethosuximide
2nd line: male= sodium valproate, female= lamotrigine - Myoclonic seizure:
males: sodium valproate
females: levetirecataM - Atonic seizure:
males: sodium valproate
females: lAmotrigine
ectopic pregnancy mx:
mEthotrexate- can be used if low amounts of pain in ectopic pregnancy(if size more than 35 mm)
- expectant management i.e monitoring for 48 hours is used if ectopic is small(less than 35 mm) with no cardiac activity.
Inv: Transvaginal ultrasound
Miscarriage mx:
Use mIsoprostol.
Chicken pox presentation
Scabbed lesions, erythematous vesicles, raised temp, rash on torso and face.
Mx: topical calamine lotion
AVOID: ibuprofen= because there is a risk with using NSAIDS and getting necrotising fasciitis.
transient tachypnoea of the newborn(is the commonest cause of resp distress in neonate) presentation and mx:
CXR: Shows hyperinflation and fluid in horizontal fissure of the lungs and increased Resp rate.
- Management: observation and supportive care and maybe supplemental oxygen is required.
this usually settles within 1-2 days.
- is more common following caesarean sections.
hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy(HIE) management in neonates:
therapeutic cooling at 33-35 degrees to reduce the chances of severe brain damage.
normal pressure hydrocephalus presentation and MRI finding:
Presentation: urinary incontinence, forgetful memory problems, cannot raise foot when walking(shuffling).
MRI imaging shows: ventriculomegaly(large ventricles) without sulcal enlargement.
Management: ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
syringomyelia presentation:
Cape like loss of pain AND temperature because of Compression of spinothalamic tract fibres that decussate.
Inv to reveal diagnosis: MRI spine.
Mx: shunt if presentation is persistent and symptomatic.
Nerve conduction studies useful for:
Differentiating axonal from demyelinating causes of neuropathy.
miller fisher syndrome
is a variant of Guillian Barre syndrome- has Anti-GQ1b antibodies.
presents with triad of:
1. Ophthalmoplegia
2. Arreflexia
3. Cerebellar dysfunction
phenytoin side effects:
Acute: dizziness, diplopia, nystagmus, slurred speech, confusion, seizures
- chronic: bleeding gums(gingival hyperplasia), lymphadenopathy
-teratogenic: associated with cleft palate and congenital heart disease.
Mnemonic to remember:
P= p450 interactions
H= hirsuitism
E= enlarged gums
N= Nystagmus
Y= yellow skin ie. jaundice
T= teratogen
O=osteomalacia
I= interference with B12 metabolism
N= neuropathies
What is contraindicated when taking contraception(like depot progestogen only injection)?
current breast cancer= is UKMEC 4
- side effects of injectable contraceptive= irregular bleeding, weight gain and may also increase risk of osteoporosis.
- is also not quickly reversible and fertility may return after a while.
Cardio Murmur: PDA(patent ductus arteriosus)
Presents with:
- Continuous machinery murmur, L subclavicular thrill, wide pulse pressure, heaving apex beat, large volume collapsing pulse.
-Indomethacin is given to neonate in postnatal period(indomethacin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and closes the defect.)
Low pressure headache: can remember as LP headache.
- Commonly develops following a Lumbar Puncture.
Mx: with caffeine and fluids.
Stopping Epilepsy Treatment:
Can be considered if seizure free for more than 2 years, with medication stopped over 2-3 months.
status epilepticus management:
1st: try 2 doses of IV lorazepam
if seizures still hasnt stopped=
2nd: try IV phenytoin
parkinsons disease- postural hypotension
Parkinsons can lead to postural hypotension(difference of more than 20 in lying standing BP) due to autonomic failure.
drug induced parkinsonism:
- motor symptoms are more rapid onset and BILATERAL(symmetrical).
- rigidity and resting tremor is uncommon.
visual lesions- where and what it means
left homonymous hemianopia means visual field defect to the left, i.e. Lesion of right optic tract
homonymous quadrantanopias: PITS (Parietal-Inferior, Temporal-Superior)
incongruous defects = optic tract lesion; congruous defects = optic radiation lesion or occipital cortex
A congruous defect simply means complete or symmetrical visual field loss and conversely an incongruous defect is incomplete or asymmetric.
Homonymous hemianopia
incongruous defects: lesion of optic tract
congruous defects: lesion of optic radiation or occipital cortex
macula sparing: lesion of occipital cortex
Homonymous quadrantanopias*
superior: lesion of the inferior optic radiations in the temporal lobe (Meyer’s loop)
inferior: lesion of the superior optic radiations in the parietal lobe
mnemonic = PITS (Parietal-Inferior, Temporal-Superior)
Bitemporal hemianopia
lesion of optic chiasm
upper quadrant defect > lower quadrant defect = inferior chiasmal compression, commonly a pituitary tumour
lower quadrant defect > upper quadrant defect = superior chiasmal compression, commonly a craniopharyngioma
Pontine haemorrhage presentation:
Presents with: Reduced GCS, Paralysis and bilateral pinpoint pupils.
guilian barre
Ascending weakness+infection, reflexes= are reduced or absent.
Inv: nerve conduction studies- will be abnormal in patients with guilian barre.
- could also do Lumbar puncture= would show raised protein, normal WCC
caused by Campylobacter jejuni
suspected cases of encephalitis mx:
start acyclovir immediately.
- most common cause- herpes simplex virus 1.
Lochia ?
is vaginal discharge containing blood which can continue after 6 weeks after childbirth- colour changes from bright red to brown.
most effective method of contraception (emergency)?
copper IUD- is the most effective and is also not affected by BMI.
- it would also provide long term contraception.
NB: a DOUBLE dose of levonelle is advised for patients with BMI more than 26.
neuropathic pain treatment:
is normally: gabapentin and pregabalin
if these fail and need to give an opoid= give tramadol.
first line investigation for suspected stroke:
NON CONTRAST CT scan- to rule out if it is a ischaemic stroke or haemorrhagic stroke
hoover’s sign:
differentiates between organic and non-organic lower leg weakness
features of atypical UTI:
- poor urine flow
-seriously ill
-abdo mass
-raised creatinine
-septicaemia
-failure to respond to abx with 48 hours.
Contraindications to Lumbar puncture:
- Papilloedema
- DIC
-focal neurological signs
-significant bulging of the fontanelle
-signs of cerebral herniation
Meningitis Management:
Abx:
- less than 3 months: IV amoxicillin+IV cefotaxime
-more than 3 months: IV cefotaxime(or ceftriaxone)
intussusception investigation:
abdominal ultrasound- normally is always abdo ultrasound.
intussusception presentation:
- abdo colic pain
-infant will draw knees up and be turn pale
-vomiting
-blood stained red currant jelly stool(as a late sign)
-sausage shaped mass(target mass)
Mx: now reduction by air insufflation. if this fails= then surgery is performed.
Steven Johnson Syndrome:
- is a skin rash- can be caused by many medications for eg. lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, sertraline etc.
cerebral palsy presentation and lesion:
- child who is unable to pull themselves up, abnormal tone, abnormal gait, is not reaching their developmental milestones, feeding difficulties= suspect cerebral palsy.
- NB: Spastic cerebral palsy results from damage to upper motor neuron.
cerebral palsy types:
- Spastic= hemiplegia, increased tone from damage to upper motor neurons- treatment= oral diazepam and baclofen
- Dyskinetic= caused by damage to basal ganglia and substantia niagra
- Ataxic= caused by damage to cerebellum with signs
- Mixed
cocaine abuse signs during pregnancy:
dilated pupils+hyper reflexia
absolute contraindication to copper IUD:
= is pelvic inflammatory disease