G2 Responding to symptoms 2 Flashcards
What are the general referral criteria?
1) long duration of symptoms
2) recurring or worsening symptoms
3) severe pain
4) fail medication
5) suspected ADR
6) danger symptoms
7) special care groups
What are danger/ red flag symptoms?
Blood in: sputum, vomit, urine, faeces
unexplained weight loss
Give examples of the goal of treatment
1) curing a disease or disorder
2) reducing or eliminating a symptom
3) arresting or slowing down disease progression
4) preventing disease or pregnancy
What should be taken into account when recommending a treatment?
self-care advice
recommend a medicine
signpost/refer
What should be taken into account for provision of advice?
explain course of action & how to achieve intended outcomes
disease info
medicine info
signposting info
What is PMR?
patient medication record, pharmacy hold record of medicines dispensed (prescriptions), can also add info about diseases, allergies, OTC medicine sales and patient preferences
What comes under Quality assurance?
1) record intervention on PMR, if clinically relevant
2) audit service (SOP, annual audit/update)
3) CPD
When should you refer a mouth ulcer?
1) duration longer than 3weeks
2) weight loss or diarrhoea
3) involvement of other mucous membranes
4) rash or suspected ADR
What local analgesics can treat mouth ulcers?
Benzyldamine
Choline salicylate
What local anaesthetics can treat mouth ulcers?
Lidocaine
What other treatment can be given for mouth ulcers?
Topical corticosteroid- hydrocortisone Buccal tablets
Chlorhexidine glauconate mouthwash
What is gingivitis?
Inflammation of the gums, usually caused by poor tooth brushing technique, painless usually found at dental check up
When do you refer for gingivitis?
Foul taste with gum bleeding
Loose teeth
Signs of systemic illness
Spontaneous gum bleeding
What is the treatment of gingivitis?
Improved brushing technique
Antibacterial mouthwash - chlorhexidine gluconate
What is oral thrush?
Fungal infection of the mouth, painless
