General Practice Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definitive test for giant cell arteritis?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define arteritis

A

Pain and swelling in blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the first line investigation for giant cell arteritis?

A

Inflammatory markers, particularly ESR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The definitive investigation for giant cell arteritis is temporal artery biopsy. Why should quite a large section of the artery (3-5cm) be biopsied?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Giant cell arteritis should be treated immediately with what?

A

High dose steroids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is it important to treat giant cell arteritis with high dose steroids straight away?

A

To prevent blindness and stroke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the first line management of acute migraine attack

A

Oral triptan such as Sumatriptan AND Paracetamol or NSAID

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

White, creamy vaginal discharge with associated itching is pathognomonic of what condition?

A

Vaginal candidiasis

Bacterial vaginosis typically would not have itching or soreness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

White vaginal discharge with no associated itching is pathognomonic of what condition?

A

Bacterial vaginosis

Vaginal candidiasis typically would have itching and/or soreness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

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

A

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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the best HRT regimen for this case:

Uterus in situ
Last menstrual cycle at least 1 year previous

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the best HRT regimen for this case:

Uterus in situ
Last menstrual cycle within the past year

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Name some of the side effects of the oestrogen component of HRT

A

Breast tenderness
Leg cramps
Bloating
Nausea
Headaches

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name some of the side effects of the progesterone component of HRT

A

Premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms such as:
Mood swings
Breast tenderness
Backache
Depression
Pelvic pain
Fluid retention
Weight gain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name some of the contraindications of HRT

A

Breast cancer
Oestrogen-dependent cancers
History of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE)
Current VTE unless on anticoagulation
Thrombophilic disorders
Pregnancy
Active liver disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Likely Dx:

Painless fresh red rectal bleeding that is not mixed in with the stool

A

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are engorged blood vessels around the anus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Likely Dx:

Painful fresh red rectal bleeding that is not mixed in with the stool

A

Anal fissure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

When is it recommended to not have a pill-free contraceptive pill week in a month in regards to missed pills

A

Only suggested if two or more pills are missed during the 3rd week of the cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Migraine with aura is an absolute contraindication (UKMEC 4) for which type of contraceptive pill

A

Combined oral contraceptive pill

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Name the risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

A

Male sex
Hx of glandular fever (Epstein–Barr virus)
Significant smoking history

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the most common pathogen to cause urinary-tract infections (UTIs)

A

Escherichia coli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

On what day of the menstrual cycle can the combined oral contraceptive pill be started that it gives protected from pregnancy immediately

A

First day of the period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

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

A

Start the COCP and advise the use of additional precautions e.g. barrier contraception, for the next 7 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

When can women take the combined oral contraceptive pill postpartum if they are not breastfeeding

A

Can start taking it from 21 days after giving birth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the primary mechanism of action of the progesterone only pill (POP)

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the primary mechanism of action of the copper intrauterine device (IUD)

A

Makes the uterus toxic to sperm

IUD releases copper ions which is toxic to sperm, preventing fertilisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the three diagnostic factors per NICE guidelines for stable angina

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Smoking more than how many cigarettes a day is an absolute contraindication for the combined oral contraceptive pill

A

Smoker over the age of 35 who smokes >15 cigarettes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What pharmacological agent may be offered to help with stress incontinence

A

Duloxetine (only if conservation measures are not useful)

SID - stress incontinence duloxetine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Define Stress incontinence

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Define urge incontience

A

Sudden and involuntary loss of urine associated with urgency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the first line management option for stress incontinence

A

Conservative management
General lifestyle advice such as avoiding caffeine, fizzy and sugary drinks

Pelvic floor exercises (useful for stress and urge incontinence)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is the first line management option for urge incontinence

A

Conservative management
General lifestyle advice such as avoiding caffeine, fizzy and sugary drinks

Pelvic floor exercises (useful for stress and urge incontinence)

33
Q

What pharmacological agent may be offered to help with urge incontinence if conservative options are not useful

A

Anticholinergic medications e.g. Oxybutynin

UAE - Urge AnticholinErgic

Helps reduce the symptoms of urge and overactive bladder by inhibiting the parasympathetic action on the detrusor muscle

34
Q

Define functional incontinence

A

Having the urge to pass urine, but for whatever reason they’re unable to access the necessary facilities and as a result are incontinent.

35
Q

What are the 5 types of urinary incontinence

A

1) Stress incontinence
2) Urge incontinence
3) Overflow incontinence
4) Functional incontinence
5) Mixed incontinence

36
Q

What are the 5 causes of microcytic anaemia

A

TAILS:
Thalassaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Iron deficiency anaemia
Lead poisoning
Sideroblastic anaemia

37
Q

What is the first line antibiotic cellulitis

A

Flucloxacillin

If penicillin allergic - doxycycline or macrolides such as clarithromycin or erythromycin

38
Q

Likely Dx:

Preceding herald patch - a single, large, discoid (coin-shaped), erythematous patch
A few days later a widespread rash appears across the trunk consisting of multiple small, erythematous, scaly patches. These lesions are classically distributed across the trunk in a ‘christmas tree’ pattern.

A

Pityriasis rosea

39
Q

Treatment for Pityriasis rosea

A

Self-limiting and benign
Often occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection and is thought to have a viral cause

40
Q

What medication do you give immediately if you suspect bacterial meningitis in the community

A

IM benzylpenicillin pending hospital transfer

41
Q

What is the treatment for lower urinary tract infection in a male

A

Either trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin for 7 days

42
Q

Chronic asthma is treated in a stepwise approach based on BTS Guidelines.

What is step 1?

A

Short-acting inhaled B2-agonist (SABA) eg. Salbutamol

43
Q

Chronic asthma is treated in a stepwise approach based on BTS Guidelines.

SABA only is not managing the symptoms.

What is the next step?

A

Add low-dose inhaled corticosteroid steroid (ICS)

SABA + ICS

44
Q

Chronic asthma is treated in a stepwise approach based on BTS Guidelines.

SABA + LABA is not managing the symptoms.

What is the next step?

A

Add oral leukotriene receptor antagonist

SABA + ICS + LTRA

45
Q

Chronic asthma is treated in a stepwise approach based on BTS Guidelines.

SABA + ICS + LTRA is not managing all the symptoms but they do have some symptomatic benefit of LTRA.

What is the next step?

A

Add long-acting B2-agonist (LABA) eg. Salmeterol

Review LTRA (can be kept if beneficial)

46
Q

What is the recommended units of alcohol per week a man or woman can drink?

84%

A

No more than 14 units per week for men and women

47
Q

What is the first line antidepressant in children

A

Fluoxetine

48
Q

What is the first line antidepressant in severe depression in adults

A

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram

49
Q

What is most common cause of post-coital bleeding in premenopausal women

A

Ectropion
An ectropion appears as a bright red area surrounding the cervical os, which is areas of columnar epithelium on the ectocervix at the transformation zone. These cell changes are triggered by hormonal changes that may occur in pregnancy, during ovulation or secondary to the combined oral contraceptive pill

50
Q

Which emergency contraception is contraindicated in severe asthma (needing oral steroid treatment)

A

Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne)

51
Q

Melasma usually presents as which one:
A) hyperpigmented brown or grey areas
B) Hypopigmented pale areas

A

Melasma usually presents as hyperpigmented brown or grey areas

Associated with increased sun exposure and medications like NSAIDs and oral contraceptives

52
Q

Vitiligo does what to the skin?

A

depigment skin “vitiliGO = GO bye bye to pigment”

Autoimmune condition, resulting in the loss of melanocytes and consequent depigmentation of the skin.

Usually patients have an autoimmune history or related conditions (such as type 1 diabetes, Addison’s, alopecia areata)

53
Q

Intrauterine device (IUD) can be used in postpartum women who are breastfeeding.

What is the timescale in which it can be inserted?

A

Either 48 hours within giving birth

OR

Four weeks postpartum

54
Q

Which smoking cessation medication is contraindicated in patients with a background Hx of epilepsy

A

Bupropion as it can lower seizure threshold

55
Q

What is the first line treatment for Genital candidiasis

A

Orla fluconazole 150mg (single dose)

56
Q

What antibiotic is used to treat an uncomplicated UTI in pregnancy

A

Oral amoxicillin

Oral nitrofurantoin may be used but remember it is contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of it causing haemolytic anaemia in the neonate

57
Q

What is the investigations required to diagnosis a UTI in the >65 year old with suspected UTI symptoms

A

No investigations required in the over 65 with symptoms - commence antibiotic immediately

58
Q

Bladder training is often used to treat with kind of incontinence

A

Urge incontinence - characterised by a strong, sudden urge to urinate and frequent urination

Bladder training (at least six weeks) involves retraining the bladder to hold more urine for extended periods and emptying it at scheduled intervals

59
Q

Why should uric acid levels be taken minimum 2 weeks after a gout attack

A

As if taken at the time of the attack, the levels will be falsely low

60
Q

What is the gold standard investigation for gout

A

Arthrocentesis with synovial fluid analysis

Characterised by urate crystals which are needle-shaped with negative birefringence

61
Q

What are the ABCDE worrying features of a mole which suggests malignant melanoma

A

A: Asymmetry
B: Border irregularity (melanoma often has a ‘scalloped’ border)
C: Colour variation (a variegated lesion is one that consists of many colours)
D: Diameter > 6mm
E: Evolves over time

62
Q

How is Hepatitis A transmitted

A

Faecal-oral route

More common in developing countries

“Eww you Ate that” - hepatatis A and E are transmitted in the faecal oral route

63
Q

How is Hepatitis E transmitted

A

Faecal-oral route

More common in developing countries

“Eww you ate that”

64
Q

What hepatitis is associated with polyarteritis nodosa

A

Hepatitis B

65
Q

Electrocution is a recognised cause of what type of shoulder dislocation

A

Posterior shoulder dislocation (presents as light bulb sign)

66
Q

What medication is the mainstay of treatment in poly/dermatomyositis

A

Prednisolone

They are started at high doses initially and creatinine kinase is then monitored to guide the rate of tapering the dose

67
Q

What test may be used to aid a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome (testing the dryness of the eyes)

A

Schirmer’s test

68
Q

Anti-dsDNA is specific to what rheumatological condition

A

SLE

Charactaristic malar (butterfly) rash over his cheeks in combination with systemic illness and a mild arthritis / arthralgia

69
Q

Anti-La and anti-Ro are specific to what rheumatological condition

A

Sjogren’s syndrome

70
Q

Anti-centromere are specific to what rheumatological condition

A

Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis

71
Q

What criteria can be used to identify patients at low risk of C-Spine injury

A

NEXUS criteria

72
Q

What is the gold standard imaging modality to visual and clear a C-Spine injury (used if you cannot clear it clinically)

A

Urgent CT cervical spine

73
Q

Flexion deformities of his 4th and 5th digit which cannot be passively corrected is diagnostic of what condition

A

Dupuytren’s contracture

74
Q

What is the treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture

A

Conservative treatment with physiotherapy and exercises.

Surgical management involves fasciectomy with a z-shaped scar to prevent recurrence.

75
Q

Flexion deformities of 4th and 5th digit which CAN be passively corrected is diagnostic of what condition

A

Trigger finger

76
Q

Pop-eye sign is pathognomonic of what condition

A

Proximal bicep tenden rupture

77
Q

Osteolytic lesions with moth-eaten pattern of bone destruction are specific XR features of what condition

A

Chondrosarcoma

Malignant bone tumour that presents with progressive worsening of pain which is worst at night

“Moths are Cunts”

78
Q

Sunburst appearance or codman triangles are specific XR features of what condition

A

Osteosarcoma

Malignant bone tumour that presents with progressively worsening pain which worsens at night

79
Q

Erb’s palsy presents with the “waiter’s tip” sign.
What is this sign

A

Shoulder adduction
Elbow extension
Forearm pronation
Wrist flexion

80
Q

Triple therapy for H. pylori eradication

A

Amoxicillin (in pen allergic clarithromycin)

Metronidazole

Proton pump inhibitor