General Practice Flashcards
What does RAPRIOP stand for?
Reassurance and explanation
Advice and counselling
Prescribing
Referral
Investigation
Observation and follow-up
Prevention
What are some general red flags?
Night sweats
Weight loss - unintentional
Excessive tiredness/fatigue
Changes to bowel habit - timing, consistency, blood
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection - s/s
Sore/irritated throat
Nasal irritation, congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing
Cough
Hoarse voice
General malaise
Fever, headache, myalgia, loss of taste/smell, eye irritability, feeling of pressure in ears of sinuses
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection - ix
Usually diagnosed based on clinical features
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection - mx
Symptom relief and rest are most appropriate management
Antihistamines and antibiotics are ineffective, may cause adverse effects
Paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection - f-up
Arrange a follow-up appt if symptoms are worsening or persisting
earlier review advised in people with risk factors for complications
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection - complications
Sinusitis
Lower respiratory tract infections
Acute otitis media
Urinary Tract Infections - causative organism
Caused by Escherichia coli (e.coli) in 75-90% of cases
Starting to be caused by ESBL producing E.coli - extended-specturm beta lactamase producing E.coli; highly resistant to most beta-lactam antibiotics; growing cause of hospital acquired infections (HAI) associated with poor outcomes
Urinary Tract Infections - pathophysiology
UTIs result from colonisation and ascending spread of microorganisms from the urethra to the bladder and/or kidney; can also be caused by haematogenous spread via the blood
In women, infection usually starts at the entrance to the vaginal canal and periurethral area, then ascends the urethra to cause infection of the bladder.
In men, UTIs are uncommon because pf the longer urethra, antimicrobial properties of the prostatic secretions and periurethral area tends to be drier
Haematogenous spread tends to be more uncommon urinary microorganisms - staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, mycobacterium tuberculosis
Urinary Tract Infections - risk factors
Recent sexual intercourse
Diabetes
History of UTIs
Spermicide use
Catheters - major risk factors in secondary care
Urinary Tract Infections - s/s
Symptoms- dysuria; frequency; urgency; incontinence; suprapubic pain; haematuria; nausea/vomiting
Signs- fever; rigors; flank pain; confusion; costovertebral angle tenderness
Urinary Tract Infections - ix
Urine dipstick - measure leucocyte esterase and nitrites
Urinary MC&S - identify causative organism and guide antibiotic sensitivities
FBC, U&Es, CRP - assess for development of AKI
Urinary Tract Infections - mx
Uncomplicated - nitrofurantoin [100mg BD 3/7women, 7-14men], or trimethoprim [200mg BD 3/7women, 7-14/7men]
Influenza - patho
Acute respiratory illness caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (influenza viruses)
Influenza A - occurs more frequently, more virulent
Influenza B - co-circulates with I.A, generally causes less severe clinical illness
Influenza C - usually causes mild or asymptomatic infection, similar to common cold
Influenza - complications
Acute bronchitis
Pneumonia
Exacerbations of asthma and COPD
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Influenza - s/s
Coryza (catarrhal inflammation of mucous membrane of nose)
Nasal discharge
Cough
Fever
GI symptoms
Headache
Malaise
Myalgia
Arthralgia
Ocular symptoms
Sore throat
Influenza - ix
Diagnosis is generally made using clinical features alone when it is known to be circulating the community
Can only be confirmed by lab testing
Rapid testing for influenza should be undertaken in all people with complicated influenza but this is typically done in hospital
Influenza - mx
Otherwise healthy people aren’t usually given antiviral drugs; symptomatic relief and supportive treatment is recommended. Adequate fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen, rest, stay off of work/school until severe symptoms have resolved
People in ‘at risk’ group should be given antiviral drugs [oseltamivir 75mg BD 5/7] - >65y, pregnant, children <6m, immunocompromised or have a chronic condition
Influenza - consider urgent admission to secondary care
A complication [e.g. pneumonia] occurs
Have a concomitant disease that may be affected by influenza [e.g. T1 diabetes]
Suspicion of a serious illness other than influenza [e.g. meningitis]
Oseltamivir - dosage
75mg BD for 5 days if body weight above 41kg (60mg if <41)
Oseltamivir - side effects
dizziness, GI discomfort, herpes simplex, nausea, sleep disorders, vertigo, vomiting
arrhythmia, consciousness impairment, seizure, skin reactions
angioedema, anxiety, abnormal behaviour, confusion, delirium, delusions, haemorrhage, hallucination, hepatic disorders, self-injurious behaviour, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, thrombocytopenia, visual impairment
Nitrofurantoin - dosage
Immediate-release medication: 50mg QDS for 3/7 in women; 7/7 in men and pregnant women
Modified-release medication: 100mg BD for 3/7 in women; 7/7 in men and pregnant women
Nitrofurantoin - side effects
chest pain, chills, chronic pulmonary reaction, confusion, cough, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pulmonary fibrosis, skin reactions, vertigo, urine dicolouration