Interactive cases in general internal medicine Flashcards
Scenario 1: 60y/o man. Chest pain. Tight, 4hrs. Nausea. Sweating. Breathlessness. HTN. DH: amlodipine. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) pneumonia b) pericarditis c) myocardial infarction d) aortic dissection e) costochondritis
Myocardial infarction.
List differentials of chest pain and distinguishing features of each.
Pneumonia: pleuritic pain, cough and fever, sputum.
Pericarditis: worse on inspiration, flu-like symptoms.
MI: tight, crushing pain, nausea and sweating.
Aortic dissection: sharp, tearing pain, radiates to the back.
Costochondritis: localised tenderness, etc.
What are the initial investigations for chest pain?
1) ECG.
2) Troponin: +ve = coronary angiography, -ve = exercise tolerance test ETT.
3) Echocardiography.
Differential diagnosis of chest pain: systems.
Cardiac: IHD; aortic dissection; pericarditis.
Respiratory: PE, pneumonia, pneumothorax.
GI: oesophageal spasm; oesophagitis, gastritis.
Musculoskeletal: costochondritis
What are the coronary arteries involved and ECG changes seen in different types of MI?
Anterior MI: LAD, ST elevation in V1-V4.
Lateral MI: circumflex, ST elevation in V5, V6, I, aVL.
Inferior MI: RCA, ST elevation in II, III, aVF.
Scenario 2: 30y/o man. Collapse. No warning before, no tongue biting during, not confused after. FH: brother died at a young age. O/E: HS: S1 + S2 + 0. BP: 120/80 (lying), 115/75 (standing). Vesicular breath sounds. Abdomen SNT. CN I-XII: NAD, normal I, T, P, R, C, S, G. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) aortic stenosis b) pulmonary embolism c) postural hypotension d) seizure e) tachyarrhythmia
Tachyarrhythmia.
Differential diagnosis of collapse.
Hypoglycaemia: A, B, C, DNEFG.
Cardiac: vasovagal syncope, postural hypotension, arrhythmias (tachycardia, bradycardia), outflow obstruction (left: aortic stenosis, HOCM; right: PE)
Neurological: seizure.
What investigations are done for cardiac causes of collapse?
ECG (? long QT), cardiac monitor, 24hr tape.
Low volume/ slow rising pulse, ESM, echocardiogram.
Lying/standing BP.
What is long QT syndrome and what are its causes?
Abnormal ventricular depolarisation.
Congenital, e.g. mutations in K+ channels.
FH of sudden death.
Acquired: low K+/Mg2+, drugs.
Scenario 3: 45y/o man. Fever. Malaise. IVDU. O/E: Temp: 38C Raised JVP to earlobes. HS: S1 + S2 +PSM (louder on inspiration). Hepatomegaly. What is the cause of the raised JVP? a) constrictive pericarditis b) congestive cardiac failure c) aortic regurgitation d) mitral regurgitation e) tricuspid regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation.
What is the differential diagnosis of raised JVP?
R heart failure: secondary to L heart failure (CCF); pulmonary HTN (PE, COPD, etc.)
Tricuspid regurgitation: valve leaflets; R ventricle dilatation.
Constrictive pericarditis: infection, e.g. TB; inflammation (CTD); malignancy.
What is the differential diagnosis of a systolic murmur?
Aortic stenosis. Mitral regurgitation. Tricuspid regurgitation. VSD. Where is it loudest/radiation? Associated features?
Scenario 4: 65y/o man. Breathlessness. Palpitations. PMH: HTN. DH: Bendroflumethiazine. O/E: Temp: 38C. HR: 160, irregular. BP: 110/80mmHg. Dull percussion note and coarse crackles L base. What would you expect to see on his ECG? a) atrial fibrillation b) sinus tachycardia c) SVT d) VF e) VT
Atrial fibrillation.
What ECG findings might you see in a patient with palpitations/tachycardia?
Sinus tachycardia.
SVT.
Atrial fibrillation.
VT.
What is the management of SVT?
Vagal manoeuvres.
Adenosine (cardiac monitor).
DC cardioversion if evidence of haemodynamic compromise.
What is the management plan for a patient with acute fast AF and BP 120/80? Prescribe the appropriate drugs.
Rhythm control: if onset >48 hours, anticoagulate for 3-4 weeks before cardioversion.
Rate control: beta blocker, digoxin.
Think of the underlying cause.
Think of the complications (anticoagulation).
What is the management of VT?
If no haemodynamic compromise: IV amiodarone.
Look for and treat underlying cause.
ICD.
Pulseless VT: defibrillate.
What pathologies may be suggested by ECG?
Ischaemia: ST elevation/depression, T wave inversion, Q waves.
Arrhythmia or conduction defects: rate, rhythm; PR, QRS, QT.
Ventricular strain or hypertrophy: axis, R, S.
Case: 75y/o man presents with epigastric pain and back pain. HR 130bpm, BP 80/50mmHg. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) peptic ulcer b) pancreatitis c) gastritis d) GORD e) ruptured aortic aneurysm
Ruptured aortic aneurysm.
What investigations are conducted for acute abdomen?
FBC, U+Es, LFTs, CRP, clotting, G+S, cross-match.
Erect CXR.
CT.
What is the management of acute abdomen?
NBM. Fluids. Analgesia. Antiemetics. Antibiotics. Monitor vitals + urine output.
What signs do you look for on an ECG in ischaemia?
Is there ST elevation or depression?
Is there T wave inversion?
Are there Q waves?
What is the characteristic pattern of atrial flutter on ECG?
Saw tooth appearance.
What is the management of ventricular tachycardia?
If no haemodynamic compromise: IV amiodarone.
Look for and treat underlying cause.
ICD.
Pulseless VT: defibrillate.
Case:
65y/o woman presents with breathlessness, onset over a few hours, and orthoptera.
PMHx: 2 MIs.
DHx: aspirin, simvastatin, ramipril, bisoprolol.
Temp: 36.5C.
Raised JVP.
HS: S1 + S2 + S3.
Chest: fine crackles.
Peripheral oedema.
The third heart sound:
a) is due to closure of mitral valve
b) is due to closure of aortic valve
c) is due to an atrial septal defect
d) is associated with ventricular hypertrophy
e) is associated with ventricular filling
Associated with ventricular filling.
What are the reasons for all the different heart sounds?
S1: closure of mitral valve.
S2: closure of aortic valve.
S3: associated with ventricular filling.
S4: associated with ventricular hypertrophy.
Fixed wide splitting of S2: atrial septal defect.
What is the management of acute heart failure?
Sit up. Oxygen. Furosemide (IV). (GTN infusion). Treat the underlying cause.
What is the ALS algorithm for VF/ pulseless VT?
Shock. CPR (2 min). Assess rhythm. Adrenaline every 3-5 min. Amiodarone after 3 shocks. Correct reversible causes.
What is the ALS algorithm for asystole/ PEA?
CPR (2 min).
Adrenaline every 3-5 min.
Correct reversible causes.
Case: 30y/o woman. URTI. Pleuritic chest pain. Better when leaning forwards. ECG shows ST elevation in all leads. What is the diagnosis?
Pericarditis.
What is the differential diagnosis of pleuritic chest pain?
Pericarditis PE Pneumonia Pneumothorax Pleural pathology Sub-diaphragmatic pathology.
Case: 60y/o man. SOB, sudden onset. PMH: COPD. On symbicort and tiotropium. HR 110bpm; raised JVP; reduced BS, scattered wheeze and creps (R); peripheral oedema; sats 80% (air). FBC: Hb 85; WCC 12; plt 300. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Pneumothorax.
What is the differential diagnosis of breathlessness?
Pneumothorax; PE; foreign body.
Airways (inflammation/obstruction); chest infection (pus); acute heart failure (fluid).
Above (chronic/not resolving); interstitial lung disease; malignancy/ large pleural effusion; neuromuscular; anaemia/thyrotoxicosis.
A patient is diagnosed with pneumothorax and started on oxygen. What is the most appropriate next step in his management?
Chest drain insertion.
Manifestations of portal hypertension
Encephalopathy
Ascites
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Variceal bleed
Case: 45y/o man with cough, breathlessness and recent travel, O/E coarse crepitations and bronchial breathing, hyponatraemia and deranged LFTs.
What antibiotic would you prescribe in addition to amoxicillin?
a) cefuroxime
b) clarithromycin
c) coamoxiclav
d) tazocin
e) vancomycin.
Clarithromycin (macrolide).
For atypical pneumonia.
Case: 45y/o man with cough, breathlessness and recent travel, O/E coarse crepitations and bronchial breathing, hyponatraemia and deranged LFTs.
What organisms might have caused his pneumonia?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Legionella pneumophila.
These are atypical pneumonia organisms, implicated in up to 40% of CAP.
Case: 50y/o man has dyspepsia and weight loss, Hb 70, MCV 70. What test would you request? a) abdominal CT b) abdominal USS c) erect CXR d) colonoscopy e) OGD (gastroscopy).
OGD (gastroscopy).
What investigations are necessary for microcytic anaemia?
Haematinics.
Coeliac screen (TTG Ab, diagnosis confirmed on duodenal biopsy showing villous atrophy).
Remember red flags- weight loss, low MCV.
Top and tail endoscopies, order depends on upper/lower GI symptoms.
What is included in a coeliac screen, and how is the diagnosis confirmed?
TTG antibodies.
Duodenal biopsy showing villous atrophy.
What is the differential diagnosis for bloody diarrhoea?
Infective colitis. Ulcerative colitis/ Crohn's disease (younger patients). Ischaemic colitis (older patients). Malignancy. Diverticulitis.
Case: 40y/o man has palpitations that started 4 hours ago, ECG shows AF. How would you treat him? a) adenosine b) amiodarone c) digoxin d) metoprolol e) DC cardioversion.
DC cardioversion (within 48hrs of symptom onset).
Distended superficial abdominal veins, direction of flow in the veins below the umbilicus is towards the legs.
What is the name of this clinical sign?
Caput medusae.
Case: 20y/o man with recent diarrhoea and malaise, Hb 70, Cr 300, splenomegaly and jaundice.
What do you expect to see on the blood film?
a) codocytes (target cells)
b) eliptocytes
c) lymphocytes
d) schistocytes (red cell fragments)
e) spherocytes
Schistocytes (red cell fragments).
What is microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia?
Red cells lyse as they try to pass through small vessels.
Small clots are formed.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation, haemolytic uraemia syndrome, or thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura.
What blood results do you expect in disseminated intravascular coagulation?
Low platelets and fibrinogen.
Raised PT/APTT.
D-dimer/fibrin degradation products.
What blood results do you expect in haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
Haemolysis: low Hb, raised bilirubin.
Uraemia.
Low platelets.
What is the presentation triad of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura?
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome, fever and neurological manifestations.
What are the hereditary causes of haemolytic anaemia?
Hereditary spherocytosis (red cell membrane). G6PD or pyruvate kinase deficiency (enzyme deficiency). Sickle cell disease, thalassaemias (haemoglobinopathy).
What are the acquired causes of haemolytic anaemia?
Autoimmune.
Drugs.
Infection.
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia.
Case: 60y/o man is confused with a cough and no postural hypotension. Na+ 120, K+ 4.0, TFTs normal, SST normal, urine Na+ 40, urine osmolality 400. What test would you request next? a) brain MRI b) CT abdomen c) CXR d) lung function tests e) OGD
CXR.
What causes hyponatraemia with hypovolaemia?
Diarrhoea.
Vomiting.
Diuretics.
What causes hyponatraemia with euvolaemia?
Hypothyroidism.
Adrenal
insufficiency.
SIADH.
What causes hyponatraemia with hypervolaemia?
Cardiac failure.
Cirrhosis.
Nephrotic syndrome.
What investigations do you request for the hyponatraemic euvolaemic patient?
TFTs.
Short synacthen test.
Plasma and urine osmolality.
What is the underlying cause of almost all cases of hyponatraemia?
High ADH.
What are the causes of SIADH?
CNS pathology.
Lung pathology.
Drugs: SSRI, TCA, opiates, PPIs, carbamazepine.
Tumours.
What causes onycholysis?
Trauma.
Thyrotoxicosis.
Fungal infection.
Psoriasis.
Case: 20y/o woman with abdominal pain and vomiting, T1DM, capillary blood glucose 20, venous pH 7.20. What is the most appropriate next step? a) capillary ketone b) FBC c) HbA1c d) LFTs e) CRP
Capillary ketones.
List microvascular complications of diabetes.
Retinopathy.
Nephropathy.
Neuropathy (foot ulcers).
List macrovascular complications of diabetes.
MI.
Stroke.
Peripheral vascular disease.
List metabolic complications of diabetes.
DKA.
HHS.
Hypoglycaemia.
Case: 26y/o man with chest pain, smokes 5/day, ‘scratching sound’ on auscultation.
What diagnosis is supported by his ECG which shows saddle-shaped ST elevation?
a) anterolateral MI
b) inferior MI
c) NSTEMI
d) pericarditis
e) posterior MI
Pericarditis.
Case: 60y/o woman collapses, BP 120/70mmHg, no postural drop, HS: S1 + S2 + ESM.
What does her ECG with deep S and tall R waves suggest?
a) left atrial hypertrophy
b) left ventricular hypertrophy
c) right atrial hypertrophy
d) right ventricular hypertrophy
e) NAD
Left ventricular hypertrophy.
Case: 40y/o man has loin pain, CRP normal, urinalysis ++ blood. What investigation would you request? a) abdominal x-ray b) abdominal USS c) CT KUB d) CT with contrast e) MR angiogram
CT KUB.
Case: 50y/o man with hypercalcaemia, low PTH, backache, normal ALP. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) bone metastases b) multiple myeloma c) osteoporosis d) primary hyperparathyroidism e) secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Multiple myeloma.
What are the sources of alkaline phosphatase, and when might it be raised?
Liver and bone.
Raised in obstructive liver disease and bone disease (malignancy, fracture, Paget’s disease).
Why is ALP normal in myeloma?
Bone: osteoblasts make ALP.
Plasma cells suppress osteoblasts.
ALP is normal in myeloma.
How does multiple myeloma classically present?
Calcium high. Renal impairment. Anaemia. Bone pain. (CRAB).
Case: 23y/o woman with a 1cm smooth and mobile breast lump. What is the most likely diagnosis? a) basal cell carcinoma b) ductal carcinoma c) fat necrosis d) fibroadenoma e) galactocoele.
Fibroadenoma.