General Medicine Flashcards
What effect does metronidazole have on INR in patient’s on Warfarin?
Increases INR (increased haemorrage risk)
What drugs decrease INR (clotting) in patients on warfarin? (3)
Carbamazepine (epilepsy)
Phenytoin (epilepsy)
Rifampicin (TB)
What is the 1st line treatment for pulmonary oedema?
Furosemide
Give 2 adverse effects of gentamicin use
Ototoxicity (due to auditory or vestibular nerve damage)
Nephrotoxicity (accumulates in renal failure. Toxicity is secondary to acute tubular necrosis)
What condition is gentamicin contraindicated?
Myasthenia gravis
At what level does the aorta terminate?
The aorta passes from T12 - L4
Give 4 functions of somatostatin
Inhibits growth hormone secretion
Inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion
Decreases pancreatic enzyme secretion
Stimulates gastric mucous production
Where is somatostatin produced?
Delta cells of the pancreas, pylorus and duodenum
Name a somatostatin analogue and 2 conditions it is used to treat
Octreotide
Acromegaly and Oesophageal variceal bleeds
Name 2 antibiotics that inhibit folate synthesis
Sulfadiazine (sulphonamide) and Trimethoprim
What class of antibiotic is Doxycycline and what is it’s MOA?
Tetracycline
Inhibits protein synthesis
What class of antibiotic is Flucloxacillin and what is it’s MOA?
Penicillin
Inhibits peptidoglycan crosslinking (involved in formation of bacterial cell wall)
What class of antibiotic is Gentamycin and what is it’s MOA?
Aminoglycoside
Inhibits protein synthesis
What class of antibiotic is Ciprofloxacin and what is it’s MOA?
Quinolone
Inhibits DNA synthesis
What class of antibiotic is Sulfadiazine and what is it’s MOA?
Sulphonamide
Inhibits folic acid formation
Define Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
Describes an acute infection of lung tissue from the community or within 48 hours of hospital admission
What are the most common pathogens causing CAP? (3)
Streptococcus pneumoniae (most common)
Haemophilus influenzae (most common in COPD)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Define Hospital acquired pneumonia
Describes an acute infection of the lung that occurs in a patient >48 hours after hospital admission
What is the most common pathogens causing early onset and late onset HAP?
Early onset (<5 days after hospital admission) - Streptococcus pneumoniae
Late onset (>5 days after hospital admission) - Aerobic gram negagive enterobacteria bacilli/rods (pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli or Kelbsiella pneumoniae) or Staphylococcus aureus
What pathogen is associated with aspiration pneumonia and what name a characteristic feature.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Red-Currant Jelly sputum
What condition may cause someone to develop aspiration pneumonia
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
What is the CURB-65 score?
C- Confusion
U- Urea (>7mmol/L)
R- Respiratory Rate >30
B - Blood pressure <90mmHg systolic and/or 60mmHg diastolic
65 - Age >65
How does the CURB-65 score measure severity?
0-1 Mild
2 - Moderate
> 3 severe
How is Mild CAP treated? (1st and 2nd line)
1st line - Amoxicillin
2nd Line Clarithromycin (if amoxicillin contraindicated)
How is Moderate CAP treated? 1st and 2nd line
1st line Dual - Amoxicillin + Clarithromycin
2nd line - Doxycycline if penicillin allergy
What should be offered instead of clarithromycin to pregnant patients with CAP?
Erythromycin
What are the 1st and 2nd line treatments for severe CAP?
1st line - IV co-amoxiclav and clarithromycin
(Or erythromycin if pregnant)
2nd line - Levofloxacin
How is aspiration pneumonia treated?
Co-amoxiclav
Name 2 organisms that cause atypical pneumonia (and name the agar they grow on)
Legionella pneumoniae (grows on charcoal agar)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (eaton agar)
What type of pneumonia is common in patients following influenza infection?
Staphylococcus aureus
What type of pneumonia is common in HIV patients?
Pneumocystis jirovecii
What bacterium most predominantly causes TB?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Describe the epidemiology of TB (2)
Majority of cases are seen in Sub-saharan Africa and Asia
Common co-infection seen in HIV patients
What pathogen commonly causes pneumonia in patients with undiagnosed HIV?
Pneumocystis jiroveci (fungal)
Which white cell type is raised in viral infections?
Lymphocytes
Which white cell type is raised in bacterial infections?
Neutrophils
Where in the lungs does TB commonly localize?
Upper-middle portion (apex) of the lungs
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is seen in TB infection? What cells mediate this?
Type 4 hypersensitivity reaction
Mediated by T cells
In TB, the mycobacterium promotes recruitment of macrophages, what 2 changes do macrophages cause?
Formation of multinucleated giant cells (granulomas)
Formation of epithelioid cells
Describe the consistency of granulomas (TB) (2)
Caseous or cheese-like on examination.
Rich in mycolic acid, inducing granulomatous necrosis which may lead to cavitation.
Give 7 clinical features of TB
Low grade fever
Weight loss
Night sweats
Cough +/- sputum
Haemoptysis
Malaise
Clubbing (bronchiectasis)
Give 4 extrapulmonary features of TB
Lymphadenopathy
Ileocecal perforation/obstruction
Addison’s disease
Lupus vulgaris (jelly like nodules)
Give 2 diagnostic tests for TB
Ziehl-Neelsen stain (Acid fast bacilli smear)
Lowenstein-Jensen media (gold standard for mycobacterium culture)
What is the treatment regimen for TB? (4)
RIPE
Rifampicin (6 months)
Isoniazid (6 months)
Pyrazinamide (first 2 months)
Ethambutol (first 2 months)
Give 2 side effects of Rifampicin
Hepatitis
Red-orange body secretions
Give 2 side effects of isoniazid
Hepatitis
Neuropathy (tingling hands/feet)
What should be given in conjunction with isoniazid to prevent neuropathy?
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Give 3 side effects of pyrazinamide
Hepatitis
Arthralgia/gout
Rash
Give 2 side effects of ethambutol
Optic neuritis
Visual impairment
What is the 1st line investigation for TB? What would it show?
Chest X-ray
Shows fibronodular opacities in the upper lobes (apices)
How does acute bronchitis typically present? And when?
Presents in autumn or winter
Presents with acute onset of;
Cough (may or may not be productive)
Sore throat
Runny nose
Wheeze
How is acute bronchitis managed?
Typically resolves in 3 weeks
When and which antibiotics (1st and 2nd line) are considered in acute bronchitis? (3)
1st line - Doxycycline (not in children/pregnant women)
2nd line - Amoxicillin
Consider if;
Patient is systemically unwell
Has pre-existing co-morbidities
Has CRP >100mg/L
What pathogen typically causes rheumatic fever?
Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes)
Describe the pathophysiology of rheumatic fever
Occurs due to molecular mimicry between streptococcal M protein and human cardiac myosin proteins
Similarities between the two results in antibody and T-cell activation, resulting in an immune response against both streptococcal and human proteins, resulting in tissue injury.
How is rheumatic fever diagnosed?
Requires either;
2 major criteria
or
1 major and 2 minor criteris
Give 5 major criteria for rheumatic fever
Erythema Marginatum (painless, nonpruritic pink/light red rash on trunk and limbs - face is spared)
Sydenham’s chorea (involuntary, irregular, non-repetitive movements of limbs, neck, head and/or face)
Polyarthritis
Carditis and valvitis
Subcutaneous nodules (firm and painless)
Give 4 minor criteria for rheumatic fever
Raised ESR/CRP
Pyrexia
Arthralgia
Prolonged PR interval
How is Rheumatic Fever managed? (2)
Antibiotics - Oral Penicillin V
NSAIDs
What cardiac condition is seen in rheumatic fever? What would be heard on auscultation?
Mitral stenosis (mid-late diastolic murmur)
How is asymptomatic mitral stenosis managed?
Monitor with regular echocardiography
What laboratory findings would confirm group A streptococcal infection in rheumatic fever (2)
Elevated Antistreptolysin O
Elevated Antistreptococcal DNAase B
What would an ECG likely show in Rheumatic Fever?
PR prolongation
How is symptomatic mitral stenosis managed? (2)
Percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy
Mitral valve surgery (commissurotomy or valve replacement)
What medical management should be offered to patients who develop atrial fibrillation from mitral stenosis?
Warfarin (Moderate/Severe) or DOAC (mild)
Describe the location of each heart valve on auscultation
Aortic valve - Right 2nd intercostal space
Pulmonary valve - Left 2nd/3rd intercostal space
Tricuspid valve - Left 4th/5th intercostal space
Mitral Valve - Left 5th intercostal space
Is the mitral valve best heard on inspiration or expiration?
Expiration
What are the 3 main branches of the aorta?
Brachiocephalic artery (splits into right common and right subclavian)
Left common carotid
Left subclavian artery
Give 4 clinical symptoms of aortic stenosis
Triad of; Angina, Syncope and Heart Failure (elderly patient)
Chest pain
Exertional dyspnoea
What clinical signs are likely seen in aortic stenosis? (3)
Ejection systolic murmur
Slow rising pulse (pulsus tardus) with narrow pulse pressure
Soft/absent S2 sound
What may be seen on echocardiogram in aortic stenosis
Left ventricular hyperetrophy
How is aortic stenosis managed? (2)
TAVI - Transcatheter aortic valve implementation
Infective endocardtits prophylaxis
Give 1 acute and 2 chronic cause of aortic regurgitation
Acute - Infective endocarditis
Chronic - Bicuspid aortic valve (most common) and rheumatic fever
Give 3 risk factors for aortic regurgitation
SLE/RA
Marfan’s syndrome/Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome
Infective endocarditis
Marfan’s syndrome occurs due to a mutation in what protein?
Fibrillin 1
Ehler’s Danlos syndrome occurs due to a mutation in what protein?
COL1A2 (Type I collagen)
What clinical signs are seen in Aortic regurgitation? (3)
High pitched End Diastolic Murmur
Collapsing Pulse (waterhammer)
Wide Pulse Pressure
What 2 features may be seen on echocardiogram in a patient with mitral regurgitation?
Left atrial dilation (due to pulmonary hypertension)
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Give 3 clinical signs of mitral regurgitation
Pansystolic murmur (heard at apex, radiating to axilla)
Quiet S1
3rd heart sound
What is the most common cause of Mitral Stenosis?
Rheumatic Fever (Streptococcus pyogenes infection)
How may mitral stenosis present? (3)
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (dyspnoea, oedema, haemoptysis, chronic bronchitis)
Malmar flush
Atrial fibrillation
Give 3 clinical signs of mitral stenosis
Rumbling mid-diastolic murmur
Loud S1
Prominent A wave on JVP
What pathogen most commonly causes infective endocarditis?
Staphylococcus aureus
What pathogen commonly causes infective endocarditis in patients with poor dental hygeine?
Streptococcus viridans
What pathogen most commonly causes infective endocarditis in patients following prosthetic valve surgery?
Coagulase negative Staphylococci - Staphylococcus epidermidis
What pathogen most commonly causes infective endocarditis in patients following prosthetic valve surgery?
Coagulase negative Staphylococci - Staphylococcus epidermidis
What antibiotics are given to patients with a native valve infective endocarditis caused by staphylococci? (1st and 2nd line)
1st line - Flucloxacillin
2nd line - Vancomycin + Rifampicin (if penicillin allergy or MRSA)
What antibiotic treatment is given to patients with prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by staphylococci? (1st and 2nd line)
1st line - Flucloxacillin + Rifampicin + Low dose Gentamicin
2nd line - Vancomycin + Rifampicin + Low dose gentamicin (if penicillin allergy or MRSA)
What antibiotic treatment is given to patients with infective endocarditis caused by a fully sensitive streptococci (e.g viridans)? (1st and 2nd line)
1st line - Benzylpenicillin
2nd line - Vancomycin + low dose gentamicin
What is the function of the parathyroid glands? (2)
Regulate calcium through production of parathyroid hormone.
Secreted in response to low ionized calcium levels
Give 4 actions of parathyroid hormone
Increases osteoclast activity (releasing calcium and phosphate from bone)
Enhances distal tubular resorption of calcium
Decreases renal tubular resorption of phosphate
Increases production of 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3
Net effect is to increase calcium and decrease phosphate
Define primary hyperparathyroidism
Describes overactivation of the parathyroid glands, resulting in excess release of PTH, leading to symptoms of hypercalcaemia
What is the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Solitary adenoma
Give 5 clinical features of hyperparathyroidism (hypercalcemia)
Polydispia/Polyuria (nephrogenic Diabetes insipidus)
Bone pain
Abdominal pain
Weak, Tired, Depressed
What blood test results suggest primary hyperparathyroidism? (4)
High PTH
High Calcium
High Alkaline Phosphatase
Low Phosphate
How is primary hyperparathyroidism managed? (2)
1st line - Parathyroidectomy
2nd line - Cinacalcet (used in patients too frail for surgery)
What is the MOA of Cinacalcet
Increases sensitivity of calcium receptors on parathyroid cells, reducing PTH levels and ultimately reducing calcium levels.
What are the most common causes of secondary hyperparathyroidism? (2)
Chronic Kidney Disease
Vitamin D deficiency
What blood results would be seen in secondary hyperparathyroidism? (5)
High PTH
Low Calcium
High Alkaline phosphatase
Low Phosphate
Low Vitamin D
What is the MOA of dabigatran?
Direct thrombin inhibitor
What is the MOA of Rivaroxaban and Apixaban?
Direct factor Xa inhibitors
What is the MOA of heparin?
Activates antithrombin III
What is the MOA of Warfarin?
Inhibits Factors II, VII, IX, X (1972)
Define hereditary spherocytosis
Describes an autosomal dominant haemolytic anaemia caused by a defect in the red blood cell cytoskeleton
What shape red blood cells are seen in spherocytosis?
Sphere shaped
Give 4 clinical features of hereditary spherocytosis
Failure to thrive
Jaundice/gall stones
Splenomegaly
Aplastic crisis precipitated by parvovirus infection
What laboratory results would be seen in hereditary spherocytosis? (3)
Spherocytes (spherical red blood cells)
Raised MCHC - Mean corpuscular haemoglobin Concentration
Increase in reticulocytes
What test is used to diagnose hereditary spherocytosis?
EMA binding test
Give 5 common symptoms of hypercalcaemia
‘stones, bones, groans and psychic overtones’
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Increased confusion/lethargy
Gout
Postural hypotension
Hypercalcaemia is a common side effect of what drug?
Bendroflumethiazide
How is hypercalcaemia managed?
IV 0.9% sodium chloride
Give 3 common biochemical side effects of bendroflumethiazide
Hypercalcaemia
Hypokalaemia
Hyponatraemia
What is the MOA of thiazide diuretics? (bendroflumethiazide)
Inhibit sodium reabsorption at the distal convoluted tubule by blocking the Na/Cl symporter
What is the 1st and 2nd line investigations for acromegaly?
1st line - Serum IGF-1 levels
2nd line (if above positive) - OGTT and serial Growth hormone levels (confirms diagnosis)
Give 6 features of hypokalaemia in adults
Weakness
Constipation
Leg cramps
Cardiac arrhythmias (U waves, T wave flattening)
Rhabdomyolysis (severe)
Ascending paralysis (severe)
Give 4 causes of hypokalaemia
Drugs - (thiazides, loop diuretics), laxatives, glucocorticoids, penicillins
GI loss - Diarrhoea, vomiting, ileostomy
Salbutamol/Beta agonists
Magnesium depletion
How is severe (<2.5mmol/l) or symptomatic hypokalaemia managed?
IV KCL in 1L 0.9 saline
How is hypomagnesmia managed in a hypokalemia patient?
Initially give MgSO4 diluted with NaCL over 20 mins, then start KCL infusion
What ECG findings are present in hyperkalaemia? (4)
Tall Tented T waves
Prolonged PR interval
Absent/flat P wave
Widening QRS complex
What is the normal range for potassium in the blood?
3.5-5.0mmol/L
Give 4 clinical features of hyperkalaemia
Muscle weakness
Muscle stiffness
Fatigue
Arrhythmia (cardiac arrest)
What drugs can increase risk of hyperkalaemia?
ACEi
ARBs
Potassium sparing diuretics (spironolactone)
Define mild, moderate and severe hyperkalaemia
Mild - 5.5-5.9 mmol/L
Moderate - 6.0 -6.4 mmol/L
Severe - >6.5 mmol/L
How is hyperkalaemia managed (severe)? (4)
Stabilise cardiac membrane - IV calcium gluconate
Shift K from ECF to ICF - Insulin/dextrose infusion +/- nebulised salbutamol
Stop exacerbating drugs
IV bicarbonate if acidotic
What else can be used to facilitate the removal of potassium from the body in hyperkalaemia? (3)
Calcium resonium
Loop diuretics
Dialysis (consider in patients with AKI and persistent hyperkalaemia)
How may hypokalaemia present on ECG? (4)
Flattening T wave
Prolonged PR
QT prolongation
Prominent U waves
Define angina
Describes chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle.
Myocardial oxygen demand transiently exceeds the supply, resulting in reversible myocardial ischemia
Name 4 types of angina
Stable angina
Unstable angina
Prinzmetal angina
Syndrome X
Describe stable angina
Describes chest discomfort that is worsened by exertion and relieved by rest or nitroglycein (GTN spray)
Describe unstable angina
Describes chest discomfort occurring on minimal exertion or at rest.