Key Features Flashcards
In a patient presenting with abdominal pain, name the 4 diseases you should know how to manage pharmaco and non-pharmaco.
GERD
- P: antacids, H2-r antagonists, PPIs (4-8wks then deprescribe), prokinetics (metoclopramide, domperidone)
- NP: diet (trigger foods), weight loss, elevate head of bed
PUD:
- P: PPIs (2-12wks then deprescribe), antacids, H2-r antagonists
- NP: diet, smoking cessation, stress management
H.poylori
- triple = amox + clarithro + PPI
- quadruple tx = clarithromycine (tetracyclines) + bismuth salicylates + metronidazole + PPI
Ulcerative Colitis:
- P: 5-ASA (mesalamine), corticosteroids (prednisone), immunomodulators, monoclonal biological therapis (adalimumab), JAK inhibitors
- NP: exercise, stress management, regular FUs, diet as tolerated (not recommended to stop smoking)
Crohn’s:
- P: idem + abx (metronidazole, cipro) , ASA less effective vs UC, surgery more common
- NP: idem + smoking cessation
What are 2 life-threatening situations you should always recognize in a patient with abdominal pain?
Explain management
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm or ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Management:
1) Stabilize with IVF fluid rescusitation, type and screen, crossmatch, consider blood transfusions. ABC GMOVIE/ACLS if unstable.
2) Once stabilized, refer urgently for definitive management (vascular sx, obstetrics).
What should you always consider in a chronic or recurrent abdo pain?
Always consider cancer in a patient at risk:
bleeding, B sx, family hx, dont hesitate to ask for endoscopy.
Name the extra-GI manifestations of IBD.
- Joints: Arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
- Eyes: Uveitis, episcleritis.
- Skin: Erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum.
- Liver: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Which rythm should you promptly defibrillate?
V-Fib and pulseless or symptomatic ventricular tachycardia.
What are the reversible causes of arrhythmias and how do you recognize/manage them?
1) Hyperkalemia:
- peaked T waves, wide QRS
- stabilize ABC GMOVIE/ACLS
- calcium gluconate for myocardium stabilisation
- insuline with dextrose IV
- sodium bicarb
- nebulized salbutamol (IV if fails)
- epinephrine (5-20mcg IV q2-5min) PRN if requires vasopressor (cant get BP up)
- IV fluids (LR, not NS to avoid hyperchloremic acidosis) vs furosemide depending on volemia
2) Cocaine:
- BP +++, HR ++, sweaty
- diazepam for agitation/htn
- phentolamine for htn (avoid BBs)
- sodium bicarb for QRS widening
- look for emergencies (arrhythmias, seizures, dissection, ACS, arterial thromboembolism)
3) Digoxin toxicity:
- can cause many arrhythmias but mostly think SLOW AFIB
- brady + GI sx
- Digibind (atropine if not available)
- activated charcoal if <2hrs
- treat end-organ dysfct, hyperK+
How do you ensure adequate ventilation in ACLS?
Bag valve mask
(Do not confuse with non-rebreather mask. BVM is for PPV whereas NRM is when patient breaths spont. but needs high flow. NRM prevents exhaled air to mix with the oxygen in reservoir. Think for COPD/Asthma exacerbations.)
During rescuscitation which elements to you assess to decided when you should stop and why?
Assess following circumstances indicating you should stop:
- Asystole
- Long code time
- Poor prognosis
- Living wills
To avoid inappropriate resuscitation.
What should you discuss with patients that have serious medical problems or end-stage disease?
- Code status (do you want us to let natural death occur or would you prefer to be resuscitated?)
- End of life decisions (resuscitation, feeding tubes, levels of treatment)
Readdress issues periodically
[would also add antibiotics, ICU, etc.]
What resources can you use in pediatric resuscitation?
Broselow tape and patient’s weight.
In which patients should you inquire about allergy? and what should be your next step?
All patients
Document it
When a patient says he has an, what should you inquire about? What should you avoid misdiagnosing?
Clarify the manifestations of allergic reactions to diagnose true allergy
Avoid misdiagnosing a viral rash (onset of rash in 1-3 after viral syndrome/fever) or medication intolerance (side effects).
Explain allergy teaching.
- Allergy to food/rx/insect stings
- teach patients AND family
- explain sx of anaphylaxis
- explain self-administration of EpiPen
- Advise to return for immediate reassessment and treatment if anaphylaxis sx or EpiPen used
When do you prescribe an EpiPen?
Every patient who has history of or is at risk of anaphylaxis
On top of an epipen, what should patients with any known drug allergy or previous major allergies get?
A MedicAlert bracelet.
When a patient has an anaphylactic :
- how do you recognize
- how do you manage acutely
- how should you monitor post stabilisation
1) Recognize:
- if min to hours post allergen exposure with BP drop, skin-mucosal involvement, resp sx +/- GI sx
- Exam: tachycardia/pnea, wheezing/stridor, angioedma/urticaria
2) Treat immediately and aggressively:[
- ABC GMOVIE (intubation if airway at risk of obstruction, oxygen)
- epinephrine 0.5mg IM q5min x 3 (adults) or 0.01mg/kg IM max 0.3mg (children)
- can also consider BBs, glucagon
- aggressive IVF
- salbutamol
- adjunctive (antihistamine H1 = diphenhydramine, H2=ranitidine)]
3) Monitor for delayed hypersensitivity reaction [biphasic reaction ad 72hrs] with:
- observation [4-6hrs before dc] [serum tryptase can help early recognition]
and treat with steroids
What is your next step with patients with anaphylaxis of unclear etiology?
Refer to allergist for clarification of the cause.
Name two actions you must take in the particular cases of children with anaphylaction reaction to FOOD?
1) Px an EpiPen for the house, car, school, daycare
2) Advise family to educate child, teachers and caretakers about signs/sx anaphylaxis and about when and how to use for EpiPen.
What 2 diagnosis should you think of in patients with unexplained recurrent respiratory symptoms?
Include allergy-related causes in your differential diagnosis:
1) Sick building syndrome
- sx linked to being in certain buildings (poor ventilation, chemical contaminants, or biological like mold)
2) Seasonal allergy
- sx vary per season
- tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in summer, weed pollen in fall.
- tx antihistamines H1 (diphenhynamine/benadryl) , nasal corticosteroids (fluticasone/flonase), decongestants (pseudo ephedrines)
- NP: keep windows closed, air filters, stay indoors.
In patients with anemia, what risks would make you consider prompt transfusion or volume replacement necessary?
In CHF/angina:
- lower threshold to give blood transfusion (HB<80-100, compared Hb<70-80)
- because less ability to compensate with their limited oxygen supply.
Volume status:
- consider volume replacement IVF if hypovolemic/shock (low BP, tachy)
In CHF think of the risk of TACO (transfusion associated circulatory overload):
- manifests as acute resp distress + pulmonary edema on CXR
- prevent with slow transfusion rate + diuretics + HYPERtensive
TRALI (transfusion related acute lung injury):
- immune rx between blood’s Ab and patient’s WBC
- idem as TACO (ARS+PE) but HYPOtensive/fever
- tx = supportive care with O2 and IVF
- prevent with donnor screening (avoid multiparous women)
In anemia what should you always order with your CBC?
1) MCV or smear test to classify micro/normo/macrocytic:
- Micro = TAILS (see picture)
- Normo = hemolysis HEADS (see picture), blood loss, chronic disease (CKD, chronic inflam, neo)
- Macro = B12/B9 deficiency, pregnancy, ETOH use disorder/liver disease, hypoT4, myelodysplasic
**Smear in IDA: microcytosis, hypochromia, anisocytosis, thrombocytosis, poikilocytosis (oval/pencil shaped)
2) In ALL patients, order iron profile:
- ferritin (low in IDA)
- serum iron level (low in IDA)
- total iron binding capacity (high in IDA)
- transferrin saturation (low in IDA)
When should you consider and look for anemia?
1) Wether sympatomatic or not:
- at risk of blood loss (anticoagulation, elederly taking NSAIDs)
- pts with hemolysis (mechanical valves!!)
2) New/worsening symptoms in :
- CHF
- angina
What should you consider first in macrocytic anemia? And what symptoms should you look to make a particular diagnosis?
1) Consider the possibility of vitamine B12 deficiency
2) Look for neurological symptoms (see picture) of B12 deficiency to diagnose pernicious anemia.
- pernicious anemia is more likely to manifest with neurologic symptoms than other causes of B12 deficiency
When should you consider looking for anemia during well-baby care assessment?
1) High risk populations (living in poverty)
2) High-risk patients:
- pale
- low iron diet
- poor weight gain
What should you do with a discovery of a SLIGHTLY low hemoglobin?
Do not assume that this is normal, look for other cause:
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Menorrhagia
- Occult bleeding
- Previously undiagnosed chronic disease
Name 4 elements you consider when choosing an antibiotic.
Make rational choices:
- Use 1st line therapies first
- Adjust to local resistance patterns
- Adjust to patient’s medical and drug history
- patient’s context
In a patient with purported antibiotic allergy, what other causes should you rule out before accepting the diagnosis?
1) intolerance to side effects
2) non-allergic rash
When should you order cultures BEFORE initiating treatment?
Usually no cultures for :
Uncomplicated cellulitis
Uncomplicated pneumonia
Uncomplicated UTI
Order a culture for the following reasons:
1) Assessing community resistance patterns
2) For patients with systemic symptoms [sepsis?]
3) For immunocompromised patients [more likely to have atypical pathogens]
When should you start empiric antibiotics even if you haven’t confirmed the diagnosis yet?
In urgent situations:
- meningitis
- septic shock
- febrile neutropenia
Anxiety disorder vs distress
Distress = fear, nervousness, worry
[acute, only one sphere, usually linked to a trigger and resolves when trigger resolved]
Name 3 symptoms of panic that would raise a flag and make you look for serious medical causes
Name those 2 serious medical causes.
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Hyperventilation
Always include in ddx, mostly with patients with anxiety the following:
- pulmonary embolism
- myocardial infarction
Name 4 elements to assess when working up a patient with symptoms of anxiety BEFORE making the anxiety disorder diagnosis.
1) Exclude serious medical pathologies
2) Identify abuse, substance use, other co-morbid psychiatric conditions
3) Assess the risk of suicide
4) Discuss functional impact with the patient
Name 6 elements to anxiety management
- Self-management techniques
- Regular office follow-up
- Community resources
- Structured therapies (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychotherapy)
- Judicious use of pharmacotherapy [SSRIs, SNRIs, benzo PRN]
- Referral to other health professionals with ongoing shared care
What should you never do in your management of anxiety?
Solely use medication
When managing anxiety, what should you teach your patient about concerning their habitus?
Discuss use of alcohol and substances as harmful self-medication
When should you include asthma in the differential diagnosis?
Pts of ALL ages with acute/chronic, recurrent respiratory symptoms.
What is your ddx in a child with acute respiratory distress?
Asthma [diffuse expiratory wheesing + atopy hx]
Bronchiolitis [<2yo, viral sx, think respiratory syncytial virus]
Croup [barking cough, low grade fever, inspiratory stridor worse when crying, hoarse voice/cry]
Foreign body aspiration [stridor if upper airway, unilateral wheezes/decreased breath sound, no fever]
With an asthmatic patient how do you objectively determine the severity of their condition?
- History : pattern of medication use [day sx, night sx, use of relievers, impact on function]
- Physical examination [pram score in ER]
- Spirometry
Name 3 steps of your management of acute exacerbation of asthma
1) Trest with short acting beta agonists repeatedly + early corticosteroids (do not undertreat)
2) r/o comorbid disease : complications, CHF, COPD
3) Determine hospit vs d/c per:
- risk of recurrence/complications [pram score]
- parent’s expectations/resources
How would you manage chronic asthma?
1) Stepwise approache: [ICS+SABA, ICS/LABA + SABA +/- leukotriene, ICS/LAMA/LABA + SABA, consider monoclonal biologicals (anti-IL4, anti-IL5, anti-IgE)]
2) Include in the plan:
- self-monitoring
- self-adjustment of medication
- when to consult back
[basically Asthma Attack Plan]
Name 2 non-pharmacological interventions when asthmatic patient presents with ongoing or recurrent symptoms.
1) Assess severity [day/night sx, reliever use, impact function] + compliance with medications [review inhaler method, adherence]
2) Lifestyle changes recommendations:
- avoiding irritants/triggers
[pets, smoking, building with mold, burning wood, carpets, consider HEPA filter]
Name 7 underlying causes of atrial fibrillation.
- Ischemic hear disease
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pulmonary embolus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol
What are the 2 steps to do immediately when a patient presents with afib?
1) look for hemodynamic instability
2) Intervene rapidly to stabilize
Outside of rhythm/rate control, what other medication could you consider starting when do you consider it?
Anti-coagulation (OACs)
- per patient’s stroke risk (CHADS-65)
How do you give bad news?
- Ensure of 2 things BEFORE giving bad news
- Give bad news respecting 3 rules
- What should you do before involving family?
- What do you do AFTER giving bad news?
BEFORE:
- Ensure appropriate setting
- Ensure patient’s confidentiality
Give the news:
- empathetic/compassionate manner
- allowing enough time
- providing translation, as necessary
Involve family only after obtaining patient’s consent
AFTER:
- arrange definitive follow-up opportunitis to assess impact and understanding
In behavioural problems you should thoroughly assess medical and mental health conditions before offering a diagnosis.
Which condition should you particularly rule out in adolescents and young adults exhibiting behavioural problem?
Name 3 sources of information should you use with your patient’s consent to assess their behavioural problem.
Schizophrenia (do not just dismiss as a “phase”, “hormones”, “just adolescence”)
Family, workplace, school
(dont’s forget to explore patient’s own perspective)
While assessing the behavioural problems, there are 3 things you should do for your patient’s emotional wellbeing. What are they?
1) Evaluate the impact of the behaviour
2) Explore underlying emotional distress
3) Destigmatize embarrassing behaviour
In terms of behavioural problems:
What should you assess in terms of safety?
When treating ADD/ADHD, what should you offer on top of amphetamines?
1) Assess and address immediate risk for the patients and others [suicidal/homicidal]
2) Social skills training, time manage [mental health OT, parents training, explore school/community resources]
What should you do with a challenging relationship with a patient with behavioural problems?
maintain a continuous, therapeutic, and non-judgmental relationship with the patient and family
Name 4 diagnostic tools for managing breast lump
1) Fine needle aspiration
2) Imaging (breast US vs mammo)
3) Core biopsy
4) Referral
After proper referral of a woman with malignant breast lump, you should still be involved in care with proper follow up.
Name 3 elements to monitor/manage during follow ups.
1) Monitor + manage immediate/long-term complications of breast cancer.
2) Monitor for metastatic disease
3) Manage : make sure to provide a link to patient to community resources for adequate psychosocial support.
Name 3 cancer prevention advice you can give in opportunistic appointments, even when it is not the primary reason for the encounter.
Stop smoking
Reduced unprotected sexual intercourse
Prevent HPV infection
Name the different evidencce-based screening to detect cancer at an early stage.
1) Pap tests [25-69yo, q2-3years for cervical cancer]
2) Mammography [50-74yo q2year]
3) PSA [do not screen per CTFPHC, screen >=50 +15yrs life expectancy per Ca Urological Association]
Name 2 personal and social consequences of cancer you should inquire about.
Family issues, loss of job
+ patient ability to cope with the consequences
Name 2 side effects/complications of treatment you should actively inquire in cancer patients, that they might not volunteer.
1) Diarrhea
2) Feet paresthesias
Name 2 symptoms in a patient with a distant cancer history that should make you think of recurrence or metastatic disease in your ddx?
1) Shortness of breath
2) Neurological symptoms
How should you discuss prognosis with your cancer patients? (3)
- Be realistic
- Be honest
- Say when you don’t know.
Nam 3 elements that should be part of your history with a patient presenting with undefined chest pain.
- Determine risk factors
- Pleuritic vs sharp pain
- Pressure
In a patient with chest pain name 4 life-threatening conditions that would require timely treatment before the diagnosis is confirmed/while doing appropriate work-up.
1) Pulmonary embolism [anticoagulation]
2) Cardiac tamponade [pericardiocentesis]
3) Aortic dissection [BP control, IVF +/- blood transfusion per BP, sx vasc urgent consult]
4) Pneumothorax [tension –> needle thoracocentesis mid-clavicular line 2nd intercoastal space, then chest tube PRN]
Name 6 non-cardiopulmonary causes of chest pain.
Herpes zoster infection
Hiatal Hernia
Reflux
Esophageal spasm
Infections
Peptic ulcer disease
When investigating for pulmonary embolism list 2 things that are essential to your management?
1) dont r/o just because of a test with low sensitivity and specificity [d-dimers]
2) beging treatment immediately
Name 3 possible diagnoses categories for a patient with chronic disease presenting with acute symptoms
1) Complications of the chronic disease (diabetic ketoacidosis)
2) Acute exacerbations of the disease (asthma exacerbation, acute arthritis)
3) A new, unrelated condition
Explain how to treat appropriately a chronic disease.
1) Titrate medication to patient’s pain.
2) Take into account other treatments and conditions (watch for interactions)
3) Consider non-pharmacologic therapic and adjuvant therapies.
In patients with chronic disease, name 4 things you should actively inquire about:
- Psychological impact of diagnosis and treatment
- Functional impairment
- Underlying depression or orisk of suicide
- Underlying substance use
What diagnosis should you suspect with the following presentation:
- Prolonged or recurrent cough
- Dyspnea
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Smoking history
COPD
How do you confirm a diagnosis of COPD?
Pulmonary function tests (FEV1)
[ FEV1/FVC <0.7 without or with limited reversibility of % predicted FEV1 post-bronchodilator]
[Severity per % predicted FEV1 post-broncho]
What vaccines should you offer to your COPD patients?
Influenza vaccination
Pneumococcal vaccination
Name 2 other health professionals you can refer COPD patients, to enhance QUALITY OF LIFE.
1) Respiratory technician
2) Pulmonary rehabilitation personnel
What medication can you offer your stable COPD patients?
Anticholinergics/bronchodilators
Steroids trial
[Low risk:
=<1 moderate (required abx and/or oral cortico) AECOPD in the last year
AND did not require admission/ED visit
High risk:
>= 2 moderate AECOPD in the last year
OR =<1 severe AECOPD requiring requiring hospitalisation/ED visit.]
In patients presenting with COPD exacerbations, name 4 co-morbidities you need to rule-out.
Myocardial infarction
CHF
Systemic infections
Anemia
What should you discuss with end-stage COPD patients, especially while they are stable?
Discuss, DOCUMENT, and periodically re-evaluate wishes about aggressive treatment interventions. [intubation]
What is the ONE lifestyle modification you need to encourage with patients diagnosed with COPD?
Smoking cessation
With chronic pain patients, you should establish and periodically review the underlying etiology. Why?
What particular comorbidities/complications of chronic pain should you look for?
1) Identify previously undisclosed abuse
2) Assess evolution of the underlying cause
Mental illness and addictions.
You receive a new patient already diagnosed with chronic pain by their previous doctor.
What are the 3 elements you need to establish when meeting the patient?
1) Establish an effective relationship
2) Verify the diagnosis
3) Clarify goals of treatment + plans for management
In terms of documentation for chronic pain patients:
What should you comprehensively document?
To whom should you make the treatment plan readily accessible?
Document: assessment, plan, goals, prescription details
Make it accessible to:
- patient,
- team members,
- emergency department,
- on-call doctors,
- pharmacy
What tool should you use when prescribing medications with abuse potential to a patient with chronic pain?
Written treatment contract with realising consequences (limiting prescribed quantities/carries)
What should you do if a patient breaches the contract?
Manage your own emotions
Address possible impact on your staff/team
Amend contract carefully (do not put patient into immediate withdrawal)
Teach patients about what could reduce potential efficacy of contraception. Name 4 factors.
1) Delayed initiation of method [not started within day1-5 of menstrual cycle or missed dose >24hrs] ***
2) Illness [vomiting, diarrhea>24hrs] ***
3) Medications [antiretrovirals, anticonvulsants, rifampin] ***
4) Specific lubricants [recommend water-based lubricants since oil-based can degrades condom/diaphragm or reduce spermicide effectiveness]
[*** In those cases use back up contraception (condom) after missed doses, delayed initiation (7days for estrogen/2days for progestin only) and during illness/rx + 7 or 2 days after if estrogen-contraction vs progestin-only contraception.]
You should discuss contraception with all patients but name 4 populations you should take extra care in advising about adequate contraception when opportunities arise.
1) Adolescents
2) Young Men
3) Postpartum women
4) Perimenopausal women
Name 2 psychosocial barriers to contraceptive methods.
Cost
Cultural concerns
What could you recommend to manage side effects of depo-provera?
Discuss adding estrogens.
When side effects of contraception occur, how can you counsel your patient?
[That they usually recedes after a complete trial of contraception so therefore] RECOMMEND AN APPROPRIATE LENGTH OF TRIAL [which is 12 weeks (3 cycles).]
Name 2 methods of emergency contraception or post-coital contraception.
1) Emergency contraceptive pills: [plan B (levonorgestrel), ulipristal, yuzpa method]
2) IUD [copper is the most effective emergency contraception]
In a patient with ACUTE cough, name the 2 serious causes you need to rule out.
Pulmonary embolism.
Name 5 causes of persistent/recurrent cough in pediatric patients.
GERD
Asthma
Rhinitis
Foreign Body
Pertussis
In persistent cough, name 2 serious causes to rule-out and name 3 non-pulmonary causes to consider.
r/o PE, cancer
consider GERD, CHF, rhinitis
What medication should consider for persistent and when can you consider medication as a cause?
ACEi
ONLY after ruling out other causes
What are the 6 elements essential to patient counselling?
1) Clear tx goals
2) Adequate time
3) Recognize limit of your own skills
4) Recognize your biases/beliefs can interfere
5) Risks of offering advices vs providing options [better to provide options –> shared decision + empower pt]
6) Be attentive to quality of therapeutic relationship and alliance
When a smoker presents with persistent cough, you should make the proper diagnosis. Name it.
Chronic bronchitis (COPD)
DO NOT just dx smoker’s cough
What should you do when a patient requests a referral for counselling/psychotherapy?
1) Clarify concerns
2) Give realistic info:
- expectations
- timing
- frequency
- costs
- duration
- homework
- starting/ending relationship if ineffective
When a patient faces a crisis your should identify personal and community resources. Name one example of each.
Personal: family, internal strength, friens
Community: counsellor
DO NOT CROSS BOUNDARIES (lending money, apts outside regular hours)
With a patient in crisis you should inquire about unhealthy coping methods. Name 4 (7).
Drugs
ETOH
Eating
Gambling
Violence
Sloth
Promiscuity
How should you deal with unanticipated medical crisis (seizure, shoulder dystocia)? Name 4 steps.
1) Stay calm + methodical
2) Assess env for resources (people, material)
3) Ask help
4) Timely action in context of situation:
- Resusc in waiting room [BCLS, ACLS if defib, call 911]
- resusc in ED [ACLS, more comprehensive answers on management, like IVF/intubation]
In patients with croup, identify 4 elements that indicates need for respiratory assistance.
- Assess ABCs [A–> obstruction/stridor, B–> tachypnea/retractions, C–> cyanosis]
- Fatigue
- Somnolence
- Paradoxical breathing
- In drawing
Before attributing stridor to croup what other 3 conditions should you rule out first?
Anaphylaxis [angioedema, skin, BP drop]
Foreign Object (airway or esophagus)
Epiglottitis [drooling++]
Name 3 sx or signs to help differentiate upper vs lower respiratory disease.
Stridor [upper –> FB, anaphylaxis, croup, epiglottitis]
Wheezing [lower –> asthma/bronchiolitis, unilat in FB]
Whoop [upper –> whooping cough = pertussis bordella]
A patient presents with a clear history and physical exam of moderate croup. What imaging would you order?
None.
No routine xray in mild-moderate croup that is clear through history and physical exam [horse voice, fever, barking cough but stable, no resp distress/stridor and able to tolerate po]
For mild to moderate cases of croup, you should prefer supportive care treatment as it has a better risk/benefits ratio. True or false?
FALSE.
Do not under treat mild to moderate cases of croup!
Start with dexamethasone and add nebulized epinephrine over 15min if moderate/severe.
How can you reassure parents if their child is diagnose of croup?
1) Do not minimize their concerns or how sx can impact parents
[croup can be distress but is a self-limiting disease with proper management]
2) Educate on fluctuating course of disease
[barking cough, stridor are often worse at night/agitation]
3) Provide a plan to help parents anticipate recurrence of sx.
[RTC drooling, difficulty breathing, fever, resp distress, unable to talk. Counsel on humidified air.]
When should you consider starting anticoagulant therapy if tests are delayed?
In patients with high probability of thrombotic disease (extensive leg clot, suspected pulmonary embolism)
[extensive = risk PE or proximal or multisegmental thrombosis]
Name 2 investigations for DVT.
Consider their limitations, [mostly in context of high pretest probability.]
Compression Ultrasound (CUS)
D-Dimer
[Don’t rule out DVT because of negative d-dimers if your clincal suspicion is high
Don’t rule out DVT because CUS is negative if your supsicion is high –> d-dimers]
What are the main points of appropriate anticoagulation in the context of DVT?
1) Start quickly (immediately if high suspicion)
2) Watch for drug interactions and adjust dose [mostly for warfarin]
3) Stop warfarin when appropriate [risk of bleeding, trauma. tx = 3 months if provoked, lifelong if unprovoked]
4) Provide patient teaching [recognize bleeding like purpura/GI bleed, effect of diet on warfarine, need to monitor warfarine often]
You diagnose and treated a DVT with appropriate anticoagulation.
Name another management element and what it prevents.
Compression stockings to prevent/treat post-phlebitis syndrome.
In appropriate patient (careful PAD).
You should always assess for signs and symptoms of dehydration in acutely ill patient, but name one condition partiularly.
Debilitating pneumonia
[unofficial term to describe very severe pneumonia affecting functionality during/after infection]
What indicators should you use to assess the degree of dehydration?
When are those indicators particularly important to evaluate hydration status?
Vital signs
[N if mild, slightly tachycardic+pneic/lowBP if mod, very tachy/low BP if severe]
Elderly, very young, pregnant women [PIE]
When should you use po vs IV rehydratation?
It tolerate po use PO [oral rehydration solutions]
If not tolerating [or severe dehydration] : IVF.
What direct measure can you use to direct dehydration management?
Lab values
[Na, K, serum bicarbonate –> low in dehydrat, renal function –> AKI/hypovolemia]