Med D CBLs Flashcards
Red flags for spinal cord compression
Red flags
- Pain
a. In thoracic or cervical spine
b. Spinal pain aggravated by straining
c. Localised spinal tenderness
d. Nocturnal pain - Motor dysfunction
- Sensory dysfunction
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
Management of Spinal cord compression
- Contact the MSCC co-ordinator
- Lie flat, log roll
- MRI WHOLE SPINE within 24hrs (T1,T2 sequences)
- DEXAMETHASONE 16MG STAT or split dosing (8MG BD)
- PPI
- Monitor glucose (due to giving steroids)
- Monitor for candida
- LMWH unless for surgical intervention
- WHO ladder for analgesia
- Consider DRE
- loss of anal tone in cauda equina
Measurement of what is associated with poorer prognosis in metastatic spinal cord compression?
- LDH
Side effects of opioids
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- confusion
- itch
- dry mouth (xerostomia)
- drowsiness
- hallucinations
- sweating
- LONG TERM: addiction, hypogonadism
Signs of opioid toxicity
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Pin point pupils
- Vomiting
- Respiratory depression
- myoclonus (involuntary jerking)
How much stronger is oxycodone immediate release liquid than morphine modified release?
1.5x more potent
Indications for continuous subcutaneous infusion
- Poor swallow and unable to tolerate essential medications: analgesia and anti-seizure medication
- Reduced consciousness and requiring essential medications like analgesia and anti-seizure medication
- Nausea and vomiting
- If absorption via the oral route is impaired for example in bowel obstruction
- Requiring more than 2 doses of injectable medication within 24hrs
How much stronger is oxycodone injection than oxycodone liquid:
2x more potent
Morphine should not be used with a GFR of what, what could be used instead?
GFR < 30
Use alfentanil instead
- can bypass renal excretion
- metabolises in liver
Managing constipation in palliative care patients
1st : Give either Senna (Stimulant) or Lactulose (osmotic)
2nd: Give BOTH Senna and Lactulose
THEN consider if opioid induced or not:
OPIOD INDUCED
- methylnaltrexone
- naloxagol
—-> peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists
NOT OPIOD INDUCED
- try another laxative
- e.g. macrogol (osmotic)
- co-danthramer
- hydrogen hydroxide
LAST RESTORT –> RECTAL INTERVENTIONS
What might you give to help manage a palliative patients nausea?
- Assess potential causes
- Carry out IX and infection screen
- Consider antiemetics
—-> SUBCUT METOCLOPRAMIDE
———> cyclizine may help but might be constipating
Benefits and burdens of clinically assisted hydration for some palliative care patients:
BENEFITS
- symptom relief
- prolong or improve quality of life
- suffering because needs for nutrition or hydration are not met
- may worsen delirium, fatigue and thirst witholding CAH
- will make family feel better
BURDENS
- hindering natural death
- hydration may increase: nausea, dyspnoea, cough, resp secretions and need to urinate
- does not change prognosis
Cyclizine acts on what receptor
HISTAMINE H1
Haloperidol acts on what receptor
Dopamine D2 receptor
Odansetron acts on what receptor
Serotonin 5HT3 receptor