MD3 Flashcards
Pure sensory stroke is classically associated with a stroke in which area?
Thalamus
What is baclofen used for?
Spasms (generalised - systemic)
Bilateral strokes are highly suspicious for what stroke source?
Cardiogenic
What is mirabegron?
Sympathetic mimetic to decrease bladder release to help incontinence
What type of stroke causes hemineglect?
Right parietal
Cerebellar DANISH mnemonic?
Disdiadichokinesis
Ataxia
nystagmus
Intention tremor
Slurred speech
Hypotonia
Which area of the brain allows the the eyes to work together (a look left means one eye moving laterally and the other moving medially)
MLF
Why is foot drop dangerous in geriatrics?
Causes falls
Key differential to rule out in suspected delirium?
Stroke
List 4 components of a delirium workup.
- CXR
- bloods +/- cultures
- bladder scan
- urines
+/- CT brain for stroke
CUBBS
Chest, urines, bloods, bladder, stroke
Which quick bedside test could seperate delirium from depression/dementia?
4AT
Best way to test inattention for suspected delirium?
Count backwards from 20 or list the months of the year backwards.
What is antalgic gait?
Odd gait due to pain
All anti-psychotics impact which chemical pathway in the brain?
Dopamine paths. This is why you can use Parkinsons as a way to workout what antipsychotics might do to a patient. eg. low dopamine gives erratic movements as in Parkinsons, so giving dopamine blockers in psychosis may cause dyskinesia. Likewise, giving dopamine agonists for Parkinsons’s patients may cause psychosis.
What is olanzipine and what are the main side effects?
the ‘panacea’ of psychosis but has a horrible metabolic profile - weight gain, sedation, appetite increase.
Pubic rami fractures are strongly linked to which condition?
osteoporosis
List 4 common causes of falls in geriatric patients:
- hypotension
- hypoglycemia
- neuropathy
- CNS drugs
What are the 2 main complications of falls in the elderly?
Bleeds and fractures (think osteoporosis)
Management of delirium in geriatrics?
REALLY IMPORTANT to avoid pharmacological intervention unless absolutely necessary - try to change the environment and get family involved first.
List the bloods for a Geris screen.
FBE, CMP, UEC, CRP, LFT, B12, Folate, Vit D, TFT, glucose
It is important to include ______ in ROS for geriatric patients.
Urinary symptoms
How to screen for depression in geriatrics?
GDS score, any score above 5 should be investigated
Define mild cognitive impairment?
Cognitive decline WITHOUT loss of independence or function
Which 3 categories are used to ‘treat’ mild cognitive impairment?
- lifestyle - as with CVD risk factors
- medicolegal - appoint POA
- follow up in 12 months
‘missed appointments’ is medschool alarm bells for ____.
dementia
Management of early dementia?
- support via dementia australia
- confirm medico-legal done
- Report to vicroads
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
Which medications are used to slow the progression of dementia? What is the main side effect?
Cholinesterase inhibitors. GIT upset.
List some strategies to help patients with dementia.
- routine
- support of family
- carer support
- cleaners + meal prep
- good GP relationship
Mnemonic for features of delirium?
FISC
Fluctuating
Inattention
Short/Acute
Change in Cognition
What is the screening tool for delirium/
4AT test
Mnemonic for investigations to order for suspected delirium?
SCRUBS (or SCRUBB)
Stroke (CTB)
CXR
Rationalisation of meds
Urine - dipstick + MCS
Bloods
Scan/Bladder USS
How to manage delirium?
- supportive care
- address predisposing factors
- prevent complications
- do not restrain
- familar surroundings
- family present
What is the main diagnostic tool for dementia?
DSM-5
2 key histological findings for Alzheimers?
amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
How does vascular dementia differ from Alzheimers?
- cognition often degrades in stepwise manner with new infarcts
- memory can be spared
- focal neurology and slow info processing are more common than memory loss
Management of vascular dementia?
Same as for strokes/IHD
Compare the two broad types of Lewy Body disease.
Parkinson’s dementia
- Parkinsons present BEFORE dementia
Lewy Body Dementia
- parkinsonism develops AFTER dementia
- hallucinations
How does fronto-temporal dementia present?
Depends which of those lobes is targeted first.
Frontal - behavioural change/disinhibition
Temporal - primary progressive aphasia
USUALLY front-temporal dementia patients are younger
Which type of dementia are cholinesterase inhibitors ineffective in?
Front-temporal dementia
Why are CT brains readily given in geriatric patients and what do they rule out?
Radiation not an issue with few years of life left.
Rule out space occupying lesions and bleeds, most commonly chronic subdurals and meningiomas.
List 3 reasons MRIs might be difficult in an elderly patient.
- Difficulty lying still with reduced cognition
- Expensive
- Access
Which 3 areas of the CNS control micturition?
Micturition = urination
1. Pons
2. S2-4 for pudendal parasympathetic release
3. L roots for sympathetic
A right parietal stroke may cause ______.
Hemineglect
Which area of the brain allows the eyes to move in tandem?
milf
MLF - medial longitudinal fasiculus
Ischaemic strokes tend to improve for _____ weeks
6-8 then plateau
Foot drop and circumductive gait increase risk of ____ in older patients.
Falls
Which examination should be done first in potential delirium?
Neuro - rule out stroke
Name 3 systems that can cause asterixis.
Lung - CO2
Liver - Ammonia
Kidney - urea
‘Twitch and Itch’ are common long-term side effects of which group of medications?
opiods
Which two pathologies must be ruled out before diagnosing dementia?
Delirium and Depression
Which group of medications are contraindicated in delirium. List two exceptions to this rule.
BENZOS.
The two exceptions:
- alcohol withdrawal delirium
- Parkinson delirium wherein anti-psychotics cannot be given
One question to test for inattention in suspected delirium?
Count backwards from 20
All anti-psychotics act by blocking _____
the dopamine pathway
Side effect of olanzapine?
horrific metabolic profile - appetite up, weight gain, sedation
What are EPS of anti-psychotics?
Extra pyramidal side effects - eg. tardive dyskinesia. Erratic movements similar to Parkinsons due to long term antagonism of dopamine system (Parkinsons similar pathophysiology)
List 3 Diabetes related risk factors for falls in geriatric patients.
- Orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction +/- BP lowering meds
- Hypoglycemia due to anti-hyperglycemics or low nutrition due to cognition
- Neuropathy - can’t feel limbs
List 3 major medication groups that contribute to falls.
- BP meds
- CNS meds (sedation)
- Anti Hyperglycemics
Does stroke cause syncope?
ONLY if its a huge brainstem stroke
Main 2 pathologies we are concerned about post fall?
- fractures (osteoporosis)
- bleeds (anti-coagulants)
Why do we tolerate elevated BSL (up to 15) in geriatric patients?
Better than the risk of hypoglycemia, geriatric patients may not experiecne side effects of hypos and therefore might not notice and totally tank.
Which cognition test is approved for non-English speakers?
RUDAS
Which cognition test is best for checking executive function?
MOCA
Ladder of laxatives?
Coloxyl+senna > movicol > lactulose > glyceryl suppository > +/- microlax > fleet enema
3 exams to conduct for suspected cauda equina?
Lower Neuro
Urinary continence/catheter/bladder fullness
DRE rectal tone
List 3 causes of SIADH and 3 causes of Diabetes Insipidus
SIADH
- lung cancer
- stroke
- head injuries
DI
- brain tumours + pituitary
- removal of brain tumours
- lithium
Mnemonic for geriatric giants?
CODFOD Meds
- cognition
- opioids (pain)
- dementia
- falls
- osteoporosis
- delirium
- meds - polypharmacy
Examinations to perform for a fall?
need to examine for CAUSES and OUTCOMES
- cardio for arrythmia
- cranial nerve for ICP
-back exam + sacral
- chest wall tenderness
- neck movement
- hip movements
2 pillars of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
- no memory laying
- ophthalmaplegia
Why is future dental work a worry for patients started on bisphosphonates?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw