General Flashcards
What is a massive PE
PE with obstructive shock or SBP <90mmHg
What is a submassive PE
Acute PE without systemic hypotension >90 BUT either RV dysfunction or myocardial necrosis
Initital investigations for ?P.E
A-E ECG CXR if acutely unwell WELLS score ABG - D-dimer CT pulmonary angiogram
Gold standard PE investigation
CTPA
Main ECG finding for PE?
Sinus tachy
Why can’t you prescribe verapamil and bisoprolol together?
complete heart block
Main finding on ECG for complete heart block
prolonged PR interval (>200ms, >6 squares)
Main feature of Mobitz type 1 heart block on ECG
Increasing PR interval then missed QRS complex
Main feature of complete heart block on ECG?
P and QRS are both regular but completely separate rhythms
Differentials for stroke
Migraine
Hypoglycaemia
Seizure
Old stroke symptoms exacerbated by concurrent illness (e.g. sepsis)
Ischaemic stroke management
Alteplase (thrombolysis) <4.5 hours
/Thrombectomy
Aspirin 300mg for 2 weeks then Clopidogrel
BP control
Haemorrhagic stroke management
Neurosurgery referral BP control (usually <140)
?Stroke investigations
Blood glucose
CT within 24 hours
Stroke assessment score
Rosier score
LOC -1 Seizure activity -1 Asymmetrical facial weakness +1 Assymmetrical arm weakness +1 Asymmetrical leg weakness +1 Speech disturbances +1 Visual field deficit +1
Stroke is likely if score is >0
A-E assessment: Breathing
Examine: Observe for signs of resp distress Resp rate Quality of breathing Chest deformity O2 sats and FiO2 Tracheal position Brief resp exam: chest expansion, auscultation, percussion
Investigations
ABG
CXR
Action
O2
Nebulisers
Investigation of ?PE
PERC calculation –> If >0 then..
Wells score –> if <4 (unlikely): D-dimer. If >4 (likely) –> CTPA + CXR + ECG.
If CTPA positive –> Anticoagulate
In what scenario is CTPA for ?PE contraindicated? What should you do instead?
Pregnancy
Renal impairment
Contrast allergy
Radiation risk (breast cancer)
Ventilation-perfusion scan
Treatment for massive PE
Thrombolyse (alteplase)
Treatment for unprovoked submassive / non-massive PE?
Anticoagulate –> DOAC (apixaban/rivaroxaban)
Investigate if unprovoked --> FBC, U&E, LFTs, Clotting, Calcium, PSA Breast/prostate/testicular/rectal examination Systems review (CT if cancer suspicion)
Sx of aortic dissection
Sudden ripping or tearing chest pain (migrates over time, maximal at time of onset)
Hypertension
Differences in BP between arms
Collapse
Tx of aortic dissection
Analgesia
IV access
BP and HR control (beta-blocker)
Surgical intervention
Tx for pericarditis
Bed rest
NSAIDs (+ PPI cover)
Oral prednisolone if severe
Treatment for large/ unstable pneumothorax
Aspiration (2nd/3rd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line).
If aspiration fails:
Chest drain in triangle of safety (5th ICS, midaxillary line, anterior axillary line)
What is the triangle of safety?
Mid-axillary line
Anterior axillary line
5th ICS
3 criteria for exacerbation of COPD
Increased SOB
Increased sputum production
Increased purulence of sputum
Most common causes of COPD exacerbation
Haemophilus influenzae
Strep pneumoniae
RSV
Treatment pathway for COPD exacerbation
1) Nebs –> salbutamol 2.5mg QDS, ipratropium 0.5mg QDS
2) Steroids –> prednisolone 30mg OD / hydrocortisone 100mg QDS
3) Abx - amoxicillin, doxycycline, clarithroymcin
4) Oxygen therapy (venturi, NIV, mechanical)
Tests which must be done before starting NIV
ABG - to ensure T2RF
CXR - to rule out pneumothorax
CURB-65 score and interpretation
Confusion Urea >7 Resp rates >30 BP <90 systolic or <60 diastolic 65 - age >65
1 –> home tx
2 –> hosp admission
>3 –> ICU
How to measure calf swelling for ?DVT
Measure 10cm below tibial tuberosity
Difference of >3cm = significant.
How to measure calf swelling for ?DVT
Measure 10cm below tibial tuberosity
Difference of >3cm = significant.
Complications of DVT
CV event
ASD –> stroke
Post-thrombotic syndrome –> chronic venous hypertension which causes limb pain, swelling, dermatitis, ulcers.
Difference between periorbital and orbital cellulitis?
Periorbital is ANTERIOR to orbital septum, and does not affect vision or cause pain on eye movement.
Treatment for cellulitis
Flucloxacillin for 5-7 days (7 if facial)
If not systemically unwell / not significantly unwell = oral
If significant systemic upset / sepsis = IV
Explain DKA
High blood glucose and low cell glucose causes ketogenesis - liver converts fatty acids into ketones (which can be used as fuel in the brain). When ketones can no longer be buffered by bicarbonate, they cause METABOLIC ACIDOSIS.
Hyperglycaemia also causes diuresis which causes DEHYDRATION and total body hypokalaemia, but serum HYPERKALAEMIA as insulin normally drives K+ into cells.
Symptoms of DKA
Nause and vomiting Fatigue Abdo pain Polyuria and polydipsia Weight loss Acetone smell to breath Kussmaul breathing Hypovolaemic shock
Triad of diagnosis for DKA?
+ other important investigations
THINK : D(diabetes), K(ketosis), A(acidosis)
Blood glucose >11mmol/L (or known diabetic!)
Ketones >3mmol/L (or ++ on dipstick)
Acidosis –> pH <7.3 with bicarb <15mmol/L
ECG
Treatment for DKA
FIG PICK
FLUIDS: (If shocked - fluid boluses until SBP >90) 1L over 1 hour 1L over 2 hours 1L over 2 hours 1L over 4 hours 1L over 4 hours 1L over 6 hours 1L every 8 hours onwards
INSULIN - Fixed rate infusion of 0.1unit/kg/hour
GLUCOSE - start IV dextrose when <14mmol/L
POTASSIUM - add 40mmol/L if potassium <5.5mmol/L
INFECTION - treat triggers
CHART FLUIDS
KETONES - monitor hourly
Complications of DKA
Dehydration
Hypokalaemia
Cerebral oedema
Investigations if hypoglycaemia and diabetic status unknown
LFTs, U&Es, TFTs, glucose, HbA1c, insulin and C-peptide (measured to investigate insulinoma - endogenous source of insulin)
Treatment for hypoglycaemia
Conscious: 10-20g glucose (tablet, gel, coke, fruit juice)
Unconscious: IV 50% dextrose 25ml STAT (or IM glucagon 1mg/kg)
SEPSIS management
Blood cultures Urine ouput Fluids Antibiotics Lactate Oxygen