Internal Medicine Flashcards
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend that patients aged 20 years or older with an LDL cholesterol level of 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L) or higher should receive
high-intensity statin therapy for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The decision to initiate breast cancer screening in women aged 40 to 49 years
should be an individualized one based on patient context and values regarding specific benefits and harms.
For patients undergoing orthopedic surgery without increased bleeding risk, postoperative dual venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with intermittent pneumatic compression and low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended during hospitalization; low-molecular-weight heparin should be continued for
up to 35 days.
first-line therapy for neuropathic pain syndromes are
Gabapentinoids and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
the treatment of depression at the end of life; results can be seen as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after initiation
Methylphenidate is a rapid-acting psychostimulant that is well tolerated and effective
Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by redness of the conjunctival membrane obscuring the tarsal vessels, matting of both eyes in the morning, and thin mucopurulent discharge; treatment may include
topical antibiotics, such as trimethoprim–polymyxin B or erythromycin.
The acceptability of the number needed to treat as a means of comparing one treatment with another depends on
the risks associated with the condition, the cost and side effects of the treatment, and other treatments available.
The most common infectious cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is Escherichia coli or other gram-negative bacilli; the treatment of choice is a
prolonged course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin.
Health care workers are at increased risk for acquiring and transmitting measles, mumps, and rubella and should receive
a second dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
Manage an in-flight medical emergency by
connecting to the ground-based physician.
The more risk factors for a motor vehicle accident that an older driver has, the higher the risk for an adverse event while driving. Thus,
Counsel an older patient with risk factors for a motor vehicle accident.
Evaluate a patient with symptoms of systemic exertion intolerance disease.
In patients with fatigue without a clear cause, it is reasonable to obtain a
complete blood count, electrolyte panel, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, fasting glucose level, and kidney and liver chemistry tests; unnecessary laboratory, imaging, and invasive studies should be avoided.
Nerve root involvement of the cauda equina requires immediate imaging,
preferably with MRI, and surgical intervention to prevent permanent neurologic damage.
For women younger than 30 years with a low-risk breast mass,
ultrasonography is usually the only imaging required.
initially present with a depressive episode; however, recognition of previous manic or hypomanic episodes is crucial
Bipolar disorder
Treatment of bipolar disorder requires mood stabilizers, either alone or in combination with antidepressants.
This should be considered in patients who do not lose weight with lifestyle modifications and have a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with obesity-related comorbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis.
Bariatric Surgery
In patients with chronic cough who have a normal chest radiograph and are taking an ACE inhibitor, the first intervention is
Discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor
Patients who undergo direct-to-consumer genetic testing should be advised of the
risks and limitations of these tests, including the possibility for misinterpretation.
Tinnitus associated with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss suggests
acoustic neuroma and requires advanced imaging with MRI.
can provide significant benefits for patients with chronic lung disease and has been shown to improve subjective dyspnea in patients with severe COPD and following an acute exacerbation of COPD
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Patients with decompensated liver disease should
avoid elective surgery and be referred for liver transplant evaluation.
Irrespective of gender presentation, physicians should provide
culturally sensitive care for all patients in a sensitive, respectful, and affirming manner (e.g. a transgender patient)
an important tool in the communication between the hospital and the follow-up clinician
A discharge summary that includes the evaluations performed, medication reconciliation, pending test results, required follow-up tests
Characterized by loss of shoulder movement accompanied by pain; examination discloses significant loss of both active and passive range of motion
Adhesive capsulitis