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Gen Med: Emergency Med > Infectious Disease Emergencies > Flashcards

Infectious Disease Emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

Define sepsis

A
  1. A state of systemic inflammation triggered by infection
  2. Affects most or all organ systems
  3. Early recognition is essential to providing effective care
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2
Q

Define septic shock?

A

Severe sepsis w/ persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation

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3
Q

What are the immediate ABC measures for sepsis?

A
  1. Maintain airway & ventilation
  2. Maintain SaO2 > 92%
  3. Pt’s w/ mental status changes or persistent hypoxia may require mechanical ventilation
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4
Q

Why is a central venous line inserted for sepsis?

A
  1. Allows rapid infusion of crystalloid
  2. Vasopressors
    A. NE or Dopamine
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5
Q

What is the CVP goal for sepsis?

A

Maintain CVP 8-12 mm H2O

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6
Q

What hx do you need for a sepsis pt?

A 
1. Onset & duration of sx’s
A. Change in rate of progression over time
2. Host factors
A. Alcoholism, IV drug use, DM, asplenia
3. Potential for systemic infection
A. Flu, trauma, burn
4. Exposure
A. Travel, pets, immunizations, sick contacts, sexual contacts, menses
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7
Q

What may be the general appearance of a septic pt?

A
  1. Agitated

2. Lethargic

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8
Q

What PE needs special attention?

A
  1. Skin & soft tissue exam
  2. Neurologic exam
  3. Mental status
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9
Q

What dx studies are indicated for sepsis?

A 
1. Blood Work
A. Blood cultures, urine C&S
B. CBC with diff
C. Electrolytes, BUN/Cr
D. LFT’s
2. CSF
A. Cell count, gram stain & culture, glucose, protein
3. CT / MRI
A. Evaluate focal abscess
4. Wound cultures
5. CXR
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10
Q

What is the allowable time for a dx test to delay treatment of a septic pt?

A

No diagnostic test should delay treatment for > 10 minutes

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11
Q

What abx should be given for sepsis?

A
  1. Appropriate abx should be given w/in the 1st hour after sepsis is recognized
  2. Empiric abx therapy
    A. Amox/clav + 3rd gen ceph,
    OR
    B. 3rd gen ceph + vanco
    C. Gm (+) > Gm (-)
  3. Obtain sample cultures BEFORE treatment is started
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12
Q

What are the abx treatment choices influenced by?

A
  1. Site of infection
  2. Pt’s age & immune status
    A. Alcoholism, HIV, DM, malnutrition
  3. Hospital acquired vs community acquired
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13
Q

What are the general characteristics for Sepsis Without an Obvious Focus of Primary Infection?

A
  1. Primary site of infection may not be identified initially

2. Bacteremia & shock evident

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14
Q

Who is at risk for Sepsis Without an Obvious Focus of Primary Infection?

A
  1. Asplenic pts
  2. Risk of sepsis ↑ throughout lifetime
  3. Streptococcus pneumoniae most common etiologic agent
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15
Q

What are the general characteristics for Sepsis with Skin Manifestations?

A
  1. Maculopapular rash is usually not emergent
    A. Can occur early in meningococcemia or rickettsial disease
  2. Petechiae
    A. Meningococcemia
    B. Mortality rate >90%, esp if pt presents w/ shock
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16
Q

What is meningococcemia asst with? Who is at the highest risk?

A
  1. Often asst w/ recent URI
  2. Most common in infants, w/ a 2nd peak around 18 yrs
    A. Outbreaks occur in schools & army barracks
  3. May be associated with other serious infectious illnesses
    A. Meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, pericarditis
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17
Q

What are the sxs of meningococcemia?

A
  1. Fever, petechial rash, hypotension, shock, meningismus, headache, photophobia
  2. Petechiae begin at ankles, wrists, axillae, mucosal surfaces
  3. Progress to purpura & Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
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18
Q

What are the complications from meningococcemia?

A
  1. Peripheral circulatory failure
    A. Gangrene, limb loss
  2. Ventricular dysfunction
  3. Brain damage
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19
Q

What are the dx studies for meningeococcemia?

A
  1. Blood cultures
  2. CBC w/ diff
  3. CMP, PT, PTT, fibrinogen, FSP’s (fibrin split products)
  4. LP
    A. CSF antigen for neisseria meningitidis, cell count, gram stain, culture, glucose, protein
  5. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) serology
    A. Gold standard for DX
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20
Q

What is the treatment for meningococcemia?

A
  1. Empiric Tx ASAP

A. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) or cefotaxime (Claforan)

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21
Q

What is the prophylaxis for meningococcemia for the close contacts of pts?

A
  1. Prophylaxis for close contacts of those w/ invasive Dz (including HCP’s directly involved in care of pt)
  2. Oral rifampin 600 mg bid x 2 d or ciprofloxacin
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22
Q

What is included in the heading Neurologic Infections with or without Septic Shock?

A

Meningitis & Meningoencephalitis

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23
Q

What are the classic sxs of Meningitis & Meningoencephalitis?

A
  1. Fever
  2. H/A
  3. Nuchal rigidity
  4. Mental status change
  5. Photophobia
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24
Q

What are the sxs of Meningitis & Meningoencephalitis in an infant?

A
  1. Vomiting
  2. Lethargy
  3. Irritability
  4. Poor feeding
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25
Q

What are the sxs of Meningitis & Meningoencephalitis in the elderly?

A
  1. Low grade fever

2. Delirium

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26
Q

What is the classic triad of bacterial meningitis?

A

Classic triad of H/A, neck pain & fever in 50-66% of pts

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27
Q

What type of HA is seen in bacterial meningitis?

A

H/A continuous throbbing, most common at occiput, ↑ by JV compression

28
Q

What % of pts with bacterial meningitis have positive blood cultures?

A

50-60% of pts

29
Q

What is death asst with from bacterial meningitis?

A

Death asst w/ coma, respiratory distress, shock

30
Q

What are the characteristic of acute meningitis?

A
  1. Signs & sx’s
31
Q

What are the characteristic of chronic meningitis?

A
  1. Signs & sx’s x 1-7 days
  2. Bacteria, virus, fungal
  3. Includes aseptic meningitis
    A. Viral etiology
32
Q

What are the dx studies for meningitis?

A
  1. CBC w/ diff
  2. Serum glucose
  3. Blood cultures
  4. Immed. LP if no papilledema, focal neuro changes, bleeding disorder, etc.
    A. CSF Cell Count, Gram Stain, Cultures, Glucose, Total Protein
    B. ↑ WBC’s (> 1,000/ml): 85% WBC’s are Polymorphonuclear cells
    C. Glucose in CSF
33
Q

How is acute meningitis treated?

A
  1. Ceftriaxone + vancomycin in all age groups
  2. Add ampicillin to neonates & pts > 50 yrs
  3. Give first dose ASAP after cultures obtained
  4. Dexamethasone 10 mg IV w/ Antibx (adults)
    Adjust dose in child >2 mo
34
Q

How is subacute meningitis treated?

A

Based on results of gram stain
Dexamethasone 10 mg IV w/ Antibx (adults)
Adjust dose in child >2 mo

35
Q

What is the treatment for meningitis if an abscess is seen on CT?

A
  1. CT if suspected abscess
    A. IV Pen G + metronidazole
    OR
    B. IV 3rd gen. cephalosporin + metronidazole
36
Q

What is the supportive care treatment for meningitis?

A
  1. ABC’s
  2. Seizure precaution
  3. Avoid overhydration -> worsens cerebral edema
37
Q

What causes necrotizing fasciitis?

A
  1. Severe soft tissue infection by Group A streptococci or a mixture of aerobic & anaerobic bacteria
    A. Strep pyogenes
    B. Mixed aerobic & anaerobic bacteria
    C. Strains of MRSA
  2. Usually occurs as a complication of surgery, injury, or infection
38
Q

What is the pathophys of necrotizing fasciitis?

A

Edema & necrosis of subcu tissues w/ involvement of the fascia & widespread undermining of adjacent tissue

39
Q

What are the rf for necrotizing fasciitis?

A
  1. Minimal trauma
  2. Surgical incision
  3. Varicella
  4. Comorbid conditions
    A. DM, PVD, IV drug use
40
Q

What are the sxs of necrotizing fasciitis?

A
  1. Bacteremia
  2. Hypotension
  3. Minimal physical findings compared to degree of pain
  4. Fever & toxicity
  5. Infected red, hot, shiny, exquisitely tender area
  6. Progress to bullae, thrombosis & necrosis
  7. As necrosis begins,↓ pain due to peripheral nerve destruction
    A. Ominous sign
41
Q

What is the mortality rate for necrotizing fasciitis?

A
  1. 100% without surgery
  2. 70% in Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
  3. 25-30% overall
42
Q

How is necrotizing fasciitis treated?

A
  1. Emergent surgical exploration to deep fascia & muscle
    A. Remove necrotic tissue
  2. IV Abx
    A. Acute -> Emperic Ceftriaxone in all age groups before cultures are back
    A. Add ampicillin to neonates & pts > 50 yrs
  3. Subacute -> Based on results of gram stain 5. Mixed aerobes & anaerobes use Ampicillin + Clindamycin + Ciprofloxacin
    C. Gas Gangrene use Clindamycin + Pen G
43
Q

Define Acute Bacterial Endocarditis

A
  1. Infection of endothelial surface of heart, most often the cardiac valves
  2. Acute
  3. Subacute
  4. Bacterial
  5. Fungal in IV drug users
44
Q

Who most often gets bacterial endocarditis?

A

Seen in pt’s w/ malignancy, DM, IV drug use, alcoholism

45
Q

What are the pathogens asst with bacterial endocarditis?

A
  1. Staph aureus (high mortality)
  2. Streptococci (IV drugs users)
  3. Aerobic Gm (-) Bacilli (IV drug users)
46
Q

What are the sxs asst with bacterial endocarditis?

A
  1. Fever, malaise
  2. Murmur (left sided)
  3. Night sweats, weight loss
  4. Cough, SOB, CP -> CHF/ pneumonia
  5. CVA -> emboli
  6. Cold extremity -> emboli
  7. Cutaneous lesions
    A. Conjunctival or palatal petechiae
    B. Splinter hemorrhage
47
Q

Define osler nodes

A

Tender erythematous nodules w/ opaque centers that appear on pulp of fingers and toes

48
Q

Define janeway lesions

A

Nontender red macules or nodules on palms & soles

49
Q

Define roth spots

A

Pale oval area surrounded by hemorrhage near optic disc

50
Q

What are the dx studies for bacterial endocarditis?

A 
(+) blood cultures
↑ WBC
↑ ESR
TEE is close to 100% sensitive for exam of native valves & 84-94% sensitive for prosthetic valves
Urine C&S & sputum Cx if able
51
Q

What is the treatment for bacterial endocarditis?

A
  1. Empiric abx therapy AFTER pan- cultures are obtained
    A. IV Pen G or vancomycin
    -. Strep viridans & Group D strep

B. Vanco or Gentamicin for IV drug users
-Staph aureus, Pseudomonas sp, streptococci

52
Q

what are the Common pathogens that cause pneumonia during neonatal period (birth – 2 weeks) ?

A
  1. Group B streptococcus
  2. Listeria monocytogenes
  3. E. coli
  4. Klebsiella pneumoniae
  5. Sepsis or meningitis may accompany pneumonia
53
Q

What are the sxs of pneumonia in neonates?

A

Poor feeding
Irritability
Grunting
Tachypnea

54
Q

What dx studies are used for pneumonia in infants?

A 
CBC w/ diff
UA, Urine C&S
Blood cultures
CSF
CXR
55
Q

What are the rx of pneumonia in neonates?

A

IV Ampicillin

56
Q

What is the most likely pathogen for pneumonia in infants 1-3 months?

A

RSV or influenza common pathogens
If WBC > 15,000 suspect bacteria
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Strep pneumonia

57
Q

What are the pneumonia sxs for infants 1-3 months?

A

Tachypnea, cough, grunting, rales, wheeze presenting sx’s
Fever variable
Dehydration complication

58
Q

What is the treatment for pneumonia in infants age 1-3 months?

A

Erythromycin or Amoxicillin

59
Q

What is the most likely pathogen for pneumonia in children 3 months-5yrs?

A

RSV or Influenza common path
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Chlamydia pneumonia
Strep pneumonia

60
Q

What is the sxs for pneumonia in children 3 months-5yrs?

A

Tachypnea, cough, rales, wheeze

Fever variable

61
Q

What is the rx for pneumonia in children 3 months-5yrs?

A

Macrolide or Amoxicillin

62
Q

What are the common pathogens for pneumonia in children 5-18?

A

Mycoplasma pneumonia common pathogen (Strep pneumonia)

63
Q

What are the common sxs for pneumonia in children 5-18?

A

Fever, abd pain, cough, rales, wheezing, bullous myringitis

64
Q

What are the tx for pneumonia in children 5-18?

A

Macrolide

65
Q

What are the common pathogens for pneumonia in adults?

A

Strep pneumonia most common cause CAP in adults
Mycoplasma pneumonia or chlamydia pneumoniae common in young adults
Legionella pneumonia is associated w/ profuse diarrhea
Gram (-) pneumonia
Elderly, nursing home pts, alcoholics, pts w/ lung disease, immunosuppressed pts

Gen Med: Emergency Med (13 decks)

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