General Practice Flashcards
What is the definitive test for giant cell arteritis?
Temporal artery biopsy
It is not ‘first line’ and treatment would not be delayed while awaiting biopsy in a patient with suspected giant cell arteritis
Define arteritis
Pain and swelling in blood vessels
What is the first line investigation for giant cell arteritis?
Inflammatory markers, particularly ESR
The definitive investigation for giant cell arteritis is temporal artery biopsy. Why should quite a large section of the artery (3-5cm) be biopsied?
Due to the presence of skip lesions i.e the lesions are segmental and tend to skip parts of the artery
For the same reason a negative biopsy does not rule out giant cell arteritis
Giant cell arteritis should be treated immediately with what?
High dose steroids
Why is it important to treat giant cell arteritis with high dose steroids straight away?
To prevent blindness and stroke
What is the first line management of acute migraine attack
Oral triptan such as Sumatriptan AND Paracetamol or NSAID
White, creamy vaginal discharge with associated itching is pathognomonic of what condition?
Vaginal candidiasis
Bacterial vaginosis typically would not have itching or soreness
White vaginal discharge with no associated itching is pathognomonic of what condition?
Bacterial vaginosis
Vaginal candidiasis typically would have itching and/or soreness
For the copper intrauterine device (IUD) to be a suitable method of emergency contraception it needs to be inserted:
A) How may days after unprotected sexual intercourse?
OR
B) Up to how many days after the likely ovulation date
5 days for each
Suitable method if inserted 5 days after the unprotected sexual intercourse
OR
Up to 5 days after the likely ovulation date - roughly day 14-18 as ovulation is 14 days before the next cycle (28-14 = 14)
What is the best HRT regimen for this case:
Uterus in situ
Last menstrual cycle at least 1 year previous
Continuous combined HRT
Continuous is required in women who have ceased menstruating for over 1 year.
Combined is required for anyone who has a uterus as it contains an oestrogen to relieve symptoms, alongside a progestogen to protect the endometrium from hyperplasia
What is the best HRT regimen for this case:
Uterus in situ
Last menstrual cycle within the past year
Cyclical combined HRT
Cyclical is used in women who have last menstruated less than 1 year ago
Combined is required for anyone who has a uterus as it contains an oestrogen to relieve symptoms, alongside a progestogen to protect the endometrium from hyperplasia
Name some of the side effects of the oestrogen component of HRT
Breast tenderness
Leg cramps
Bloating
Nausea
Headaches
Name some of the side effects of the progesterone component of HRT
Premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms such as:
Mood swings
Breast tenderness
Backache
Depression
Pelvic pain
Fluid retention
Weight gain
Name some of the contraindications of HRT
Breast cancer
Oestrogen-dependent cancers
History of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE)
Current VTE unless on anticoagulation
Thrombophilic disorders
Pregnancy
Active liver disease
Likely Dx:
Painless fresh red rectal bleeding that is not mixed in with the stool
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are engorged blood vessels around the anus
Likely Dx:
Painful fresh red rectal bleeding that is not mixed in with the stool
Anal fissure
When is it recommended to not have a pill-free contraceptive pill week in a month in regards to missed pills
Only suggested if two or more pills are missed during the 3rd week of the cycle
Migraine with aura is an absolute contraindication (UKMEC 4) for which type of contraceptive pill
Combined oral contraceptive pill
Name the risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Male sex
Hx of glandular fever (Epstein–Barr virus)
Significant smoking history
What is the most common pathogen to cause urinary-tract infections (UTIs)
Escherichia coli
On what day of the menstrual cycle can the combined oral contraceptive pill be started that it gives protected from pregnancy immediately
First day of the period
What advise should you give a patient regarding contraception if they want to start the combined oral contraceptive pill on any after of her cycle except the first day of her period
Start the COCP and advise the use of additional precautions e.g. barrier contraception, for the next 7 days
When can women take the combined oral contraceptive pill postpartum if they are not breastfeeding
Can start taking it from 21 days after giving birth
What is the primary mechanism of action of the progesterone only pill (POP)
Thickening of the cervical mucus and thinning of the endometrium.
Thickening of the cervical mucus prevents sperm reaching the egg.
Whilst the thinning of the endometrium prevents implantation
What is the primary mechanism of action of the copper intrauterine device (IUD)
Makes the uterus toxic to sperm
IUD releases copper ions which is toxic to sperm, preventing fertilisation
What are the three diagnostic factors per NICE guidelines for stable angina
1) Pain precipitated by physical exertion
2) Constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, in the neck, shoulders, jaw, or arms
3) Pain relieved by rest or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) within about 5 minutes
Smoking more than how many cigarettes a day is an absolute contraindication for the combined oral contraceptive pill
Smoker over the age of 35 who smokes >15 cigarettes
What pharmacological agent may be offered to help with stress incontinence
Duloxetine (only if conservation measures are not useful)
SID - stress incontinence duloxetine
Define Stress incontinence
This involves leaking of urine when intra-abdominal pressure is raised, putting pressure on the bladder. The pressure of the urine overcomes the mechanisms designed to maintain continence
Define urge incontience
Sudden and involuntary loss of urine associated with urgency.
What is the first line management option for stress incontinence
Conservative management
General lifestyle advice such as avoiding caffeine, fizzy and sugary drinks
Pelvic floor exercises (useful for stress and urge incontinence)