IM 3 Flashcards
List the 4 major stroke subtypes.
- Ischemic (thrombotic)
- Ischemic (embolic)
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
- Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage
Clinical characteristics of a thrombotic ischemic stroke?
- Atherosclerotic risk factors (HTN, DM, etc.) +/- history of TIA
- Local obstruction of an artery (carotid, cerebral, vertebral)
- Symptoms may alternate with periods of improvement (stuttering progression)
Clinical characteristics of an ischemic embolic stroke?
- History of cardiac disease (eg, AFib, endocarditis) or carotid atherosclerosis
- Onset of symptoms is abrupt and usually maximal at the start, sometimes results in rapid recovery
- Multiple infarcts in different vascular territories (patchy neurologic findings)
Clinical characteristics of intracerebral hemorrhage?
- History of uncontrolled HTN, coagulopathy, illicit drug use (eg, amphetamines, cocaine)
- Symptoms progress over minutes to hours
- Focal neurologic symptoms (hemiplegia, hemiparesis, hemisensory disturbances) appear early, followed by features of increased ICP (eg, vomiting, headache, bradycardia, reduced alertness)
Clinical characteristics of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- Bleeding from arterial saccular (berry) aneurysm or AV malformation
- Severe headache at onset
- Meningeal irritation
- Focal deficits uncommon
Acute onset of unilateral right-sided weakness and slurred speech suggest a ___ lesion, including which areas?
Left cerebral hemisphere (motor cortex and Broca’s area)
In the setting of suspected intracranial hemorrhage, what imaging is indicated?
Brain CT (confirms intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage and excludes other causes)
Clinical characteristics of lacunar strokes?
Severe focal symptoms depending on the affected area;
Where do hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages occur most commonly?
Basal ganglia, thalamus, pons, cerebellum
Risk factors for pressure ulcers?
- Reduced mobility
- Malnutrition
- Abnormal mental status
- Decreased skin perfusion
- Reduced sensation
Standard interventions to prevent pressure ulcers in high-risk patients?
Proper patient positioning - beds with features that provide pressure redistribution and reduced focal pressure; reposition at regular intervals (less evidence for this intervention) Mobilization Careful skin care Moisture control Maintenance of nutrition
Medications that effectively reduce the risk of acute coronary events in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic arterial disease?
Aspirins
Statins
___ are useful in the prevention and management of venous insufficiency ulcers, which usually occur in the setting of venous stasis dermatitis.
Compression stockings
___ are useful in preventing DVT, particularly in patients with contraindications to anticoagulant therapy.
Intermittent pneumatic compression
Describe a stage 1 pressure ulcer.
Intact skin
Non-blanchable with localized redness
Describe a stage 2 pressure ulcer.
Shallow, open ulcer
Red-pink wound with no sloughing
Possible intact or ruptured blister
Describe a stage 3 pressure ulcer.
Full-thickness skin loss with possible visual subcutaneous fat
No exposed bone, tendons, or muscles
Describe a stage 4 pressure ulcer.
Full-thickness skin loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscles
Describe an unstageable pressure ulcer.
Full-thickness skin loss
Ulcer base covered by slough or eschar that needs removal to stage
Nomenclature of SJS vs. TEN?
<10% of BSA - SJS
10-30%: SJS/TEN overlap
>30%: TEN
Clinical features of SJS and TEN?
4-28 days after exposure to trigger (2 days after repeat exposure)
Acute influenza-like prodrome
Rapid-onset coalescing erythematous macules, vesicles, bullae
Necrosis and sloughing of epidermis (desquamation)
Mucosal involvement (mucositis)
Systemic signs are common (fever, tachycardia, hypotension, AMS, seizures, coma)
List 5 common drug triggers of SJS and TEN?
- Allopurinol
- Antibiotics (eg, sulfonamides)
- Anticonvulsants (eg, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin)
- NSAIDs (eg, piroxicam)
- Sulfasalazine
Other common triggers of SJS and TEN?
Mycloplasma pneumoniae
Vaccination
GVHD
Treatment of SJS?
Supportive - aggressive fluid support and wound care
What is erythema multiforme?
Self-limited illness characterized by an acute erythematous rash and usually occurs after herpes simplex infection
Predominant skin lesion in erythema multiforme?
Targetoid plaques favoring the distal extremities
Characteristics of impetigo?
Red macules and papular lesions with honey-colored crusts
Compare the presentation of SJS to that of pemphigus vulgaris.
Like SJS, it can cause mucosal lesions and desquamating bullae; however, systemic signs (eg, fever) are less prominent and the course is typically more chronic, with oral lesions appearing weeks to months prior to skin symptoms
Cause of pemphigus vulgaris?
Autoantibodies to desmosomes
Walk through the management steps following identification of a thyroid nodule on exam.
1 - clinical evaluation, TSH level, U/S
2a - if cancer risk factors or suspicious US findings, OR no risk/suspicious findings BUT normal or elevated TSH -> fine needle aspiration
2b - if no cancer risk factors or suspicious US findings + LOW TSH -> iodine 123 scintigraphy
If hot nodule -> treat hyperthryoidism
If cold or indeterminate nodule -> FNA
Risk factors for thyroid cancer?
+ Family history
Radiation exposure in childhood
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Symptoms concerning for thyroid cancer?
Compressive symptoms (eg, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing)
Suspicious U/S findings RE a thyroid nodule?
Hypoechoic, microcalcifications, internal vascularity
What type of thyroid nodule function indicates a low cancer risk? A high cancer risk?
Low - hot nodule
High - indeterminate or cold nodule
In what classic patient presentation should benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) be suspected?
Young obese female with a headache that is suggestive of a brain tumor, but with normal neuroimaging and elevated CSF pressure; neurological signs are usually absent, except for papilledema, visual field defects, and sometimes CN VI palsy
What medications have been associated with benign intracranial hypertension?
Glucocorticoids, vitamin A, OCPs
Pathology of benign intracranial hypertension?
Impaired absorption of CSF by the arachnoid villi
Treatment of benign intracranial hypertension?
Weight reduction
Acetazolamide (if weight reduction fails)