Haematology

Question 1

What is atrial fibrillation?

Answer 1

AF happens when electrical im[pulses in the atria of the heart fire irregularly (should be steady and regular).
Causes an irregular/ fast heart beat.
Can create blood clots in the heart which may lead to stroke

Question 2

What is diabetes?

Answer 2

Pancreas no longer able to make insulin/ body becomes insensitive to insulin causing abnormal blood glucose levels.
Chronic high blood glucose levels associated with tissue damage and organ failure (cataracts, neuropathy)

Poor wound healing
Xerostomia
Oral dysesthesia (burning mouth syndrome)
Periodontal disease

Question 3

What is hypertension?

Answer 3

High blood pressure
Can lead to heart attack/ stroke, kidney failure, vascular dementia.
Arteries lose stretch and become narrow, easier for a thermos to occlude lumen.

Question 4

What is frusemide?

Answer 4

Loop diuretic (for hypertension)
- decreases fluid in body

Question 5

What is metformin?

Answer 5

Anti-hyperglycaemic drug - enhances insulin sensitivity
Can reduce vitamin B12 levels (anaemia risk)

Question 6

What is sulfonylurea?

Answer 6

Increases pancreatic insulin secretion

Question 7

What is Von willebrands disease?

Answer 7

Reduced factor VIII and reduced platelet aggregation

Question 8

How is pseudomembranous candidiasis managed?

Answer 8

Assess risk factors - diabetic control, medications, anaemia, ill fitting denture
Denture hygiene advice
Antifungal medication - miconazole contraindicated with warfarin, nystatin safe to use for warfarin

Question 9

Why is joint swelling significant in haemophilia patients?

Answer 9

Swelling is likely to be a hemarthrosis - bleeding into joint space (associated with haemophilia)
This can cause damage to articular cartilage in joint- bone resorption and cyst formation.

Question 10

What is haemophilia A?

Answer 10

Deficiency in factor VIII (most common)

Question 11

What is haemophilia B?

Answer 11

Deficiency in factor IX

Question 12

What procedures are safe for haemophilia patients?

Answer 12

Treatment which doesn’t require manipulation of mucosa
ID block contraindication (articaine infil instead)

Question 13

What is DDVAP?

Answer 13

Desmopressin
Releases factor VIII that has been bound to endothelial cells, giving a temporary boost

Question 14

What is tranexamic acid?

Answer 14

Inhibitor of fibrinolysis (keeps clot formed)

Question 15

How are patients with severe haemophilia classed and managed?

Answer 15

<1% of factor
Recombinant factor