Family Medicine Core Rotation - Acute Complaints_2 Flashcards
what therapy can be a very successful behavioral treatment for nocturnal enuresis?
moisture sensitive alarms
how do moisture sensitive alarms for nocturnal enuresis work?
the first drops of urine complete a circuit, activating an alarm that will wake the child and parents, and then the parents help the child complete the voiding in the toilet. over time, a conditioned response develops, and the child awakens voluntarily with the sensation of full bladder
what is the gender bias of efficacy of moisture sensitive alarms for nocturnal enuresis?
there is no gender difference in success rates
what are the success rates for appropriately used moisture sensitive alarms for nocturnal enuresis?
75-84%
how long does a moisture sensitive alarm for nocturnal enuresis take to work?
weeks or months
should a child take responsibility for their treatment with a moisture sensitive alarm for nocturnal enuresis?
no. without parental involvement, success rates drop
when should you be concerned about a child having failure to thrive?
when a child drops more than 2 percentile brackets on a growth curve and does not maintain at that area
in the USA, the vast majority of failure to thrive is secondary to what?
inadequate nutrition
how good is albumin at revealing recent undernutrition?
albumin has a long half life and is a poor indicator of recent undernutrition
how sensitive is prealbumin for undernutrition?
prealbumin is decreased in acute inflammation and undernutrition and is therefore insensitive
organic disease, including hypothyroidism, is found in how many cases of failure to thrive?
<10%
how are IgA levels related to undernutrition?
IgA levels are sensitive to undernutrition and would be decreased in failure to thrive
in a child with failure to thrive, diarrhea, and recurrent respiratory infections what Dx must be considered?
CF
what should you order for a child with failure to thrive, diarrhea, and recurrent respiratory infections?
sweat chloride test
what tests may be indicated in the workup of failure to thrive, but only with a reasonable degree of clinical suspicion?
- mantoux test for TB • 2. HIV test • 3. stool for ova and parasites • 4. RFT
what features will you see in a child with esophageal reflux contributing to failure to thrive?
- wet burps • 2. frequent emesis or cough with eating • 3. occasional wheezing
what is the best test to diagnose esophageal reflux causing failure to thrive in a child?
esophageal pH probe
if a child has failure to thrive with diarrhea or melena what should you think and order?
think IBD • order hemoccult
if a child has failure to thrive and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and foul smelling stools, what do you think and order?
think lactose intolerance • order lactose tolerance test
what would cause you to suspect pyloric stenosis in a child?
projectile vomiting • abdominal distention • perhaps palpable mass
what do you order on a child in which you suspect pyloric stenosis?
US
what do you do for a 9mo child with failure to thrive, signs of minimal smiling and vocalization?
no tests, likely related to infant behavior and/or ineffective maternal-child bonding
children with familial short stature have a growth curve that shows what?
simultaneous changes in height and weight
what do you see on the growth curve of a child with failure to thrive and constitutional growth delay?
weight decreases first, then height
what do you see on the growth chart of a child with hypothyroidism?
height velocity slows first and may plateau before weight changes
what do you see on the growth chart of breast fed infants?
weight decreases relative to peers after 4-6 months, but catches up after 12 mo
when is hospital admission indicated for failure to thrive?
in the face of hypotension and bradycardia
what are the signs of severe malnutrition that necessitate hospital admission for a child with failure to thrive?
hypotension and bradycardia
mononucleosis is often mistaken for what?
streptococcal pharyngitis
both mononucleosis and streptococcal pharyngitis have which symptoms in common?
sore throat • fatigue • fever • adenopathy
what happens if you give ampicillin to a patient with mononucleosis?
diffuse symmetrical erythematous maculopapular rash, not to be confused with penicillin allergy or scarlet fever
how does scarlet fever rash compare to what happens when you give ampicillin to a patient with mononucleosis?
the rash of scarlet fever is more confluent, and has a sandpaper like texture
what does the rash of measles look like?
erythematous flat papules, first appearing on the face and neck, then spreading to the arms and trunk in 2-3 days
fatigue lasting < month is likely what?
result of a physical cause: • infection • endocrine imbalance • CV disease • anemia • medications
fatigue lasting >3mo is more likely to be related to what?
psychologic factors: • depression • anxiety • stress • adjustment reactions
physiologic fatigue happens because of what?
overwork • lack of sleep • pregnancy
how long does fatigue have to be present to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic idiopathic fatigue
> 6mo
what is one of the most common diagnoses in patients presenting with fatigue, especially when denying weakness or hypersomnolence?
depression
what should you screen for in a patient complaining of fatigue that has a negative depression screening?
sleep apnea • anemia • hypothyroidism • pregnancy
what are the 3 general categories of fatigue?
physiologic • physical • psychologic
what historical feature should lead you to look for a physical cause of fatigue lasting >6mo?
progressively worsening
initial lab workup for an uncertain diagnosis of fatigue includes what?
CRC • ESR • UA • Chemistry panel • TSH • HCG • age/gender appropriate cancer screening
what should you order in a patient with uncertain diagnosis of fatigue if all initial tests are negative?
CXR • ECG • HIV • drug screen
what is the second most common cause of lower GI bleeding in children?
intussusception
what is the most common cause of significant GI bleeding in children?
Meckel diverticulum
do anal fissures, colitis, and juvenile polyposis cause significant bleeding in children?
no
what is the best diagnostic testing option in the setting of acute upper GI bleed?
upper endoscopy
what is the use of an upper endoscopy in acute upper GI bleed?
localize the source of bleeding • potentially allow therapeutic intervention • allow for tissue diagnosis when necessary
how does gastric lavage compare to EGD for acute upper GI bleed?
less useful
what is the limitation of using barium study for acute upper GI bleed?
might interfere with subsequent intervention
why not order a red cell scan for acute upper GI bleed?
they are better to locate bleeding sources in the lower GIT
why not order angiography for acute upper GI bleed?
may miss slower bleed
what is the most common congenital abnormality of the GIT?
Meckel diverticulum- 2% of the population
how does meckel diverticulum present?
most are asymptomatic, but a common presentation is painless large volume intestinal hemorrhage
how is a meckel diverticulum often diagnosed?
incidentally at laparotomy
what is the noninvasive diagnostic test for meckel diverticulum?
technetium scan
what percentage of patients with colonic diverticulosis develop severe diverticular bleeding?
5-15%
can you localize diverticular bleeding using colonoscopy?
yes but it is unusual
what is the next step if you can not localize the source of bleeding in diverticulosis on colonoscopy?
tagged RBC scan, which will help guide segemental resection if necessary
when is a subtotal colectomy necessary for bleeding diverticulosis?
recurrent severe bleeding with no source identified
external hemorrhoids are defined as what?
hemorrhoids arising distal to the dentate line
when external hemorrhoids thrombose, they are associated with what?
acute pain and are hard and nodular on physical exam
what do you do for thrombosed external hemorrhoids?
the excision can be safely done in the office under local anesthesia
what are the advantages of local excision of thrombosed external hemorrhoids under local anesthesia?
it eliminates pain immediately and eliminates the risk of recurrence
what is the use of hydrocortisone for thrombosed external hemorrhoids?
not useful
what are the indications for rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids?
should be reserved for internal hemorrhoids
what are the risks of incision and drainage of an external hemorrhoid?
increases the risk of recurrence and can lead to infection of the retained clot
what is an anal fissure?
a split in the anoderm of the anal canal
when does an anal fissure occur?
generally after the passage of a hard bowel movement
how do patients with anal fissure present?
excruciating pain with defecation with blood on the toilet paper–> complaint of ache or spasm that resolves after a couple hours
when are internal hemorrhoids painful?
internal hemorrhoids are generally not painful, unless they are thrombosed because of an unreducible prolapse- pain does not resolve
would a perianal abscess cause bleeding like anal fissure?
a perianal abscess may not present with bleeding, but would likely be associated with systemic signs of infection
what are are the most studied and effective prophylactic agents for migraines?
β blockers
what is the only Ca channel blocker that is effective at migraine prophylaxis?
verapamil
when are ergotamines used for migraines?
for abortive therapy
the goal of prophylactic migraine therapy is what?
to reduce the frequency of headache by 50%
of the anti-depressants used for migraine prophylaxis, which has the strongest evidence for efficacy?
amitriptyline
what is the dosing of amitriptyline for migraine prophylaxis?
begin with low dose 10mg at night, then titrate up to the most effective dose that does not cause side effects (up to 150mg)
what are the red flags in headache necessitating additional workup?
- onset after age 50yo • 2. very sudden onset • 3. increase in severity or frequency • 4. signs of systemic disease • 5. focal neurologic symptoms (except aura) • 6. papilledema • 7. headache after trauma
migraines often occur how?
in a consistent location, are severe and frequent, include a visual aura, and may be associated with severe nausea
when is abortive acute therapy for migraines appropriate monotherapy?
if attacks occur less than 2-4x/mo
what should be the first choice abortive treatment for migraine?
a triptan (because of receptor specific action)
what are good alternatives to triptans in abortive treatment of migraines?
ergot alkaloids
what do you do for migraines that fail triptans and ergot alkaloids?
rescue medications (simple analgesics)
when should narcotics be used for migraine?
although frequently used in emergency settings, narcotics are rarely needed in the treatment plan for migraines
though Ca channel blockers other than verapamil have not been shown to be effective against migraines, they be helpful with which type of headache?
cluster headaches
what is the rationale of therapy for cluster headaches?
provide relief from the acute attacks, then use therapy to suppress headaches during the symptomatic period
which medications have been shown to be effective against cluster headaches?
nifedipine • prednisone • indomethacin • lithium
when is ergotamine good for cluster headache?
generally only helpful in the acute stage, not for prophylaxis
cluster headaches characteristically develop how?
rapidly, achieving peak intensity within 10-15 minutes lasting with intense pain for about 2 hours without treatment
the mainstay of treatment for cluster headaches is what?
oxygen
which parenteral drugs help with cluster headaches?
subQ or intranasal serotonin antagonists • IV/IM ergotamine
many physicians diagnose tension type headaches how?
by exclusion
what is the most frequent of all headaches encountered in clinical practice?
TTH
how long does a TTH episode last?
30 min- several days
how often should TTH occur per months?
<15x
TTH diagnosis requires which characteristics?
at least 2 of the following: • 1. pressure/tightening • 2. bilateral • 3. mild to moderate • 4. not aggravated by activity
what is the relationship between TTH and nausea?
there is generally no nausea
what is the relationship between TTH and photophobia/phonophobia?
either photophobia or phonophobia may be present but not both
what is the treatment for TTH?
trial of NSAID’s with follow up if there is no improvement
what is the role of narcotics in TTH treatment?
narcotics should be avoided, since the condition is generally chronic and overuse is likely
what is the most common presentation of bladder carcinoma?
painless hematuria without other symptoms
what are the risk factors for bladder carcinoma?
- being male • 2. smoking • 3. working with aromatic amines used in dye, paint, aluminum, textile, and rubber industries
acute prostatitis and UTIs are associated with which symptoms?
dysuria • fever • frequency • urgency
pseudohematuria can be derived from what?
chemical agents, foods, vaginal bleeding
what are the common foods that cause pseudohematuria?
beets • blackberries • certain food dyes
what are the medications that discolor the urine?
chloroquine • metronidazole • phenytoin • rifampin • sulfasalazine
in patients <40yo with hematuria but a normal IV pyelogram, what is the next step?
urine culture and cytology, periodic monitoring, and reassurance
when do you order cystoscopy for hematuria?
any patient >40yo with normal IVP
what do you order to diagnose post streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
ASO titer
what should you think causes phenomenon where patient falls asleep fast but then wakes up and can’t return to sleep despite d/c caffeine use?
alcohol or drugs
how does obesity affect quality of sleep?
obesity is a risk factor for sleep apnea, but that generally does not cause inability to return to sleep after waking
how does propranolol affect sleep?
propranolol is known to cause nightmares
how does HCTZ affect sleep?
can cause nocturia that inhibits sleep
how does naproxen affect sleep?
naproxen is not known to interfere with sleep
how does alcohol affect sleep?
alcohol is known to cause excessive wakefulness, and often allows people to fall asleep, but interferes with the ability to stay asleep
what is essential for treating insomnia?
good sleep hygeine
important aspects of sleep hygiene include what?
- awakening at a regular hour • 2. exercising daily • 3. control of the sleep environment • 4. eat a light snack before bed time (not meal) • 5. limit or eliminate alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine • 6. go to bed when sleepy • 7. use your bed for sleep and intimacy only • 8. get out of bed if you aren’t asleep within 15-30 minutes
when can pharmacologic agents be used for sleep problems?
in select cases of transient sleep disorders unassociated with more serious problems
before using any pharmacologic agents for sleep it is important that the patient maintains what?
excellent sleep hygiene
what are the drugs of choice for transient sleep onset problems?
zolpidem (ambien) • eszopiclone (lunesta)
what drug can be used for sleep maintenance problems?
zaleplon (Sonata)
what is the use of melatonin?
help with adjustments of the sleep wake cycle (jet lag, shift work)
what is the use of benadryl for sleep?
can cause excessive somnolence and may help with sleep onset but not sleep maintenance
what is the most commonly reported hepatitis virus?
HAV
how is HAV spread?
via the fecal-oral route, most commonly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water
can HAV cause chronic hepatitis?
causes acute hepatitis only and never results in chronic hepatitis
are HAV relapses common?
lifelong immunity is expected for all patients that recover, therefore relapses are uncommon
when is a patient with HAV contagious?
fecal shedding of the virus occurs early, and declines once jaundice develops so jaundiced patients are less contagious than those in prodrome
symptoms of HAV infection change with what?
age
what percentage of patients <5yo infected with HAV are asymptomatic?
90%
what percentage of adults infected with HAV are symptomatic?
80%
what is the mode of transmission of HBV?
transfer of blood or body fluids, vertically
what happens if HBV is acquired early in life?
the infection is silent, but up to 90% of those infected develop chronic disease
what type of patients develop chronic hepatitis from HBV easier than others?
immunocompromised patients
what is the percentage of adults with HBV that have spontaneous resolution?
95%
what percentage of patients with HAV or HBV develop fulminant liver disease?
small percentage
HBsAg positivity means what?
either chronic infection or early infection
what rules out early infection in the face of positive HBsAg?
negative IgM anti-HBc
HBeAg is correlated with what?
replication