Medicine Flashcards
Treatment for Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Avoid sedeatives
- ITU, sat up at 20 degrees.
- Measure and correct electrolytes
- Consider Intubation amd NG tube if GCS drops low enough
- LACTULOSE and RIFAXIMIN can both help clear Nitrogen from body
Prophylaxis for Oesophageal Varix
Propanolol
Which ulcer type is relieved by eating
Duodenal.
Gastric is worsened as it stimulates acid to be released.
Budd-Chiari Triad
Ascites, Abdominal Pain, Smooth Hepatomegaly
Whats the difference between PBC and PSC
PBC = Auto-immune process mainly affecting the liver. PSC = Chronic process also impacting the gallbladder.
Both causes of acute liver failure, and both linked to UC.
Causes of Erythema Nodosum
NODOSUM NO known cause Drugs Oral Contraceptive Pill Sarcoidosis UC and Crohns Microbes and Malignancies.
Extra-Intestinal Manifestations of IBD
A PIE SAC
Apthous ulcers, Pyoderma gangrenosum, Iritis, Erythema nodosum, Sclerosing cholangitis, Arthritis, Clubbing
How is Proctitis distinct from regular UC
Rectal bleeding and mucus discharge are present, but the patient’s stools are well formed and they are in good systemic health.
Very mild form of UC.
How do you decide how to manage a UC flare?
Truelove and Witt Classification.
Low = Try and induce remission (Prednisolone, Mesalazine, Bone protection)
High = Emergency Colectomy
How is UC remission maintained?
5-ASAs.
Mesalazine generally, as Sulfasalazine is linked with Agranular Cytosis (but still sometimes used).
Can give orally, as a suppository or as an enema.
What are the two different “versions” of Crohn’s?
Fistula/Perforation and Fibrosis/Stricture. Just different reactions to the inflammation, believed to be genetic.
Basics of Crohns Management?
- Flare ups: Prednisolone and Azathioprine. Remember Heparin as IBD leads to a pro-thrombotic state.
- Azathioprine then continued and used to manintain remission.
- Some patients may get away with simpler management, e.g. through smoking cessation, switching to an elemental diet, Loperamide for diarrhoea.
- Surgery is an option that should really only be reserved for complications.
- Infliximab is another last resort option.
Define Malnourished
Loss of 5-10% of body weight over the last 3-6 months.
BMI is less than 18.5
What drugs do you stop in AKI?
DAMN
Diuretics, ACE Inhibitors, Metformin, NSAIDs
How do you distinguish IgA Nephropathy and Post-Strep Glomerulonephritis?
Both present as Nephritic Syndromes
IgA: Onset in days after URTI, affects young men, coca-cola urine.
PSGN: Onset isnt until weeks after URTI, proteinuria is much more prominant and associated with low compliment levels.
IgA may also have associated Abdominal Pain, Arthritis and a Palpable Purpuric Rash (in which case it is known as Henoch-Schonlein Purpura)
Indications for Dyalisis in AKI
AEIOU
Acidosis, Electrolyte imbalances not settling, Intoxication (medications that need to be removed from the blood), Oedema, Uraemia
Options are limited to Haemodyalisis and Haemofiltration.
Rough management for AKI
1) Treat Cause:
- Pre renal, give fluids
- Intra renal, take biopsy ad send to specilialists, probably for steds
- Post renal, catheter/nephrostomy/urological intervention.
2) Spot and Treat Complications:
- Fluid Balance
- Hyperkalaemia
- Acidosis
3) Spotting early the need for RRT:
- AEIOU
- Haemodialysis or Haemofiltration
Immediate complications of starting a patient on RRT (e.g. in AKI)
- Infection risk (Sepsis and Endocarditis)
- Procedural hypotension
- Bleeds (requires anticoagulation)
- Altered nutrition and drug clearance
- “First Use Syndrome”, an anaphylactic type reaction seen in patients going through RRT for the first time
Long term complications of being on RRT
- HUGE increase in CVD risk factors due to raised BP, calcium levels, vascular stiffness, inflammation, oxidative stress
- Protein-Calorie malnutrition.
- Renal Bone disease
- Infection
Why is Uraemia serious in renal patients?
Can cause Pericarditis and Encephalopathy.
Causes T-cell dysfunction with an increase in Sepsis related mortality.
Why does CKD cause bone disease?
1) Kidney loses ability to secrete phosphate, so PTH rises
2) Kidney loses ability to activate Vitamin D, so Calcium drops
Antibiotic of choice for Staph Epidermidis
Vancomycin
Rough management of CKD
1) Knowing when to refer to Nephrology (e.g. stage 4-5 CKD, ACR high enough, declining eGFR, poorly comtrolled BP…)
2) Slowing disease progression with ACEis, BM control, lifestyle
3) Managing complications
- Anaemia with Iron/B12/Folate/EPO
- Acidosis with Sodium Bicarb
- Oedema with Fluid restriction and LDs
- Renal Osteodystrophy with Vit D and Phosphate binders
- Restless leg syndrome with Gabapentin
4) Managing CVD Risk with ASPIRIN AND ATORVOSTATIN
5) Knowing when to plan for RRT (<12 months is safe)
How do you manage Raynaud’s
Calcium Channel Blockers e.g. Amlodopine.
Broad management for Nephrotic Syndrome
- VTE Prophylaxis
- Symptomatic relief through Diuretics, Statins, Albumin
- Definitive management relies on cause, but often steroids.
Nephritic is similar but with focus on blood pressure control and without the statins and albumin.
Vasculitis Symptoms
General: Fever, Malaise, Headache, Fatigue, Weight Loss, Might Sweats.
Specific: Kidney dysfunction, Uveitis, Mononeuritis, Arthritis, Sinusitis, Nose bleeds, Rashes.
WATCH OUT FOR PULMONARY OEDEMA
Types of Diabetes Insipidus
- Cranial. Comes from Pituitary Gland failing to secrete ADH.
- Nephrogenic. Kidney stops responding to ADH.
- Drug Induced. Lithium
Common RA Extra-Articular Features
Main two are Lung Fibrosis and Rheumatoid Nodules.
Alao look out for Eye inflammation, Renal disease, Pericarditis and Pleuritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Dactylitis Differential Diagnosis
- Rheumatoid: Psoriatic Arthritis, Ank Spon
- Non Rheumatoid: Sarcoidosis, Sickle Cell, TB, Leprosy)
Presenting features of Psoriatic Arthritis
ROADS
Rheumatoid like pattern, Oligoarthritis, Arthritis Mutilans, Dactylitis, Spondylitis.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Chronic and widespread pain with a heightened pain response to pressure.
Also commonly see excessive fatigue, sleep problems and memory dysfunction.
Management of Gout
Lifestyle advice = Lose weight, cut down on alcohol and red meat, avoid aspirin, avoid fasting.
Acute management = NSAIDs, Steroids, COLCHICINE
Alopurinol is used to maintain remission, dose must not be changed during a flare up.
Features of Behcet’s Disease
- Mouth sores
- Genital sores
- Arthritis
- Inflammation of the eye
What is the pathophysiology of Systemic Sclerosis and differentiate between the two types.
Path = Auto-Immune process causes Collagen build up causes Small artery occlusion causes Skin thickening.
Two types:
- Localised (mainly skin on the face and hands)
- Systemic (affects skin all over the body, including organs leading to CREST symptoms and organ damage)
How do you define and manage a severe Lupus flare
Definition = Lupus Nephritis, Pericardial Involvement, CNS Involvement or Haemolytic Anaemia.
Management = HD Steroids, Mycophenolate + Rituximab + Cyclophosphamide.
Maintenance Lupus therapy
- High Factor sun cream
- NSAIDs and Azathioprine or Methotrexate are used to maintain remission
- Hydroxychloroquine is best for joint and skin involvement
What are the common features of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
1) RF Negative
2) Associated with HLA-B27
3) Axial Skeleton involvement
4) Asymetrical Large Joint involvement
5) Dactylitis
6) Enthesitis
7) Extra-Articular Manifestations (e.g. Psoriasis, Iritis, Oral ulcers, Aortic valve incompetence and IBD)
Differential diagnosis for a single swollen joint
- Septic Arthritis
- Trauma
- Haemarthrosis
- Gout or Pseudogout
- Other bony or ligamentous pathology
What are the symptoms of GPA?
GPA is a condition characterised by inflammation of multiple blood and lymohatic vessels coupled with the formation of granuloma.
Symptoms = Nasal Bleeding/Crustiness/Deformity, Arthritis, Kidney dysfunction, Sight loss, Skin changes, Muscle pain, Blood in the stools and cough.
How do you manage GPA?
Infliximab and Steroids for induce remission
Azathioprine and Methotrexate for maintenance.
What are the common diabetic neuropathies?
Somatic:
- Distal Symmetrical Polymeuropathy (glove and stocking)
- Mononeuritis (either ulnar nerve or CN3 palsy)
- Diabetic Amyotrophy (quad muscle weakness)
Autonomic:
- Postural Hypotension
- Impotence
- Nocturnal Diarrhoea
- Urinary Retention
- Gastroperisis
What paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with Small Cell Lung Cancer?
ADH
ACTH (causing atypical features; hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, alkalosis and weakness are more coomon than bufalo hump)
What paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer?
PTHrP (causing hypercalcaemia)
Clubbing
TSH (causing hyperthyroidism)
How do you distinguish Hypo and Hyper natraemia?
Hypo causes Nausea and Anorexia
Hyper causes Thirst.
Both can come in with mood symptoms such as confusion and irritability, and both can progress to seizures, coma, loss of consciousness.
What causes Hypernatraemia?
Fluid loss basically.
Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Burns, DI
What causes Hyponatraemia?
Either
- Increased Fluid (HRH, SIADH)
- Reduced Na (Addison’s, Diuretics, MDMA)
How do you treat hyponatraemia and what to look out for?
If Asymptomatic, fluid restriction.
If Symptomatic, SLOW rehydration with 0.9% Saline. Aim for rise in Na of no greater than 12 mmol/L/day. If rehydrate too fast can cause Central Pontine Myelinolysis.
Consider Furosemide.
Causes of Hypokalaemia?
- Thiazide, Indapamide or Loop Diuretic use.
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting.
- Cushings (or steroid use).
- Conn’s.
- Liquorice.
Management of DI
Cranial = Desmopressin
Nephrogenic = Treat underlying cause, give thiazide diuretics to reduce urine output,
What tests would you order for a fever in a returning traveller?
- FBC (with DWCC), LFTs, U&Es, possibly TFTs, CRP and ESR.
- 3x Thick and Thin blood film (MALARIA). Consider Malaria Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (MARDT)
- 2x Blood culture (TYPHOID)
- PCR for Dengue Virus and ELISA for Dengue Antigens
- Urinalysis and Stool culture (including parasite ovas and cysts) (always required as often blood cultures come back negative, so may need to culture typhoid before treatment)
- CXR (could be TB pr HIV)
- BLOOD BORNE VIRUS SCREEN!!! (HIV, Hep, CMV, EBV)
What are the features of severe Malaria?
- Paracitaemia above 10%
- Hypoglycaemia below 2.2
- ARDS
- Shock
- Anaemia below 80
- Haemoglobinuria
- DIC
- Spontaneous bleeding
- Impaired consciousness
- Seizures
- AKI
How do you cure Malaria?
P. Falciparum=
- Uncomplicated: Artemisin Combination Therapy
- Severe: Artesunate Regimen
Other forms=
- Chloroquine and Primaquine (one for blood one for liver)
How do you cure Typhoid?
IV Ceftriaxone + Oral Azithromycin
What are the causes of PUO?
The big 3:
- AI diseases
- Weird infections (abscesses, endocarditis, TB)
- Cancers (RCC, Leukaemia and Lymphoma)
The weird 3:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Medication
- VTE
How do you test for STIs?
Asymptomatic patients should be NAAT tested. This is usually done through First Pass Urine in men and Vulvo-Vaginal swab in women (as deep as possible, rubbed against vulva on the way out).
Any discharge, Charcoal swab which can test for Gonorhoea.
Any ulcer can be swabbed using a Green Swab.
WOMEN GET PREGNANCY TESTS.
What tests would you order in a suspected HIV patient?
- HIV test, to confirm.
- Viral load, to judge if contageous.
- CD4 count, to stage.
- Resistence profile, to begin targeting therapy.
- Hep and Syphylis serology, to look for co-morbidities.
- Normal bloods.
Consider TB screen, fungal cultures, Cryptococal antigen testing, Viral PCR.
Outline the rough management of a HIV patient?
Main thing = anti-retrovirals. Various kinds, but many complicated interactions with drugs such as asthma meds, OTCs and herbal remedies so must iron out what they cam and can’t take. Examples-
- CCR5 Antagonists
- Nucleoside and Non Nucleoside RTIs.
- Integrase Inhibitors.
- Protease Inhibitors.
- Pharmacokinetic Boosters (increases the effect of other drugs).
Furthermore, they will need prohylactic antibiotics depending on how low their CD4 count is-
- <200, Co-Trimoxazole OD, vs PCP
- <50, Azithromycin OW as well, vs Mycobacteria Avium
Vaccinations against-
- Hep B
- Pneumococcus
- Annual Flu vaccines
How do you diagnose and trest latent and active TB?
Latent:
- Diagnose through either the Mantoux (tuberculin slin test) or Interferon Gamma Release Assay (better for those whove had BCG vaccine). Neither can confirm nor deny TB.
- Manage with 3 months of Rifampicin and Isoniazid
Active:
- Diagnose with CXR, Sputum AFB smear and culture, NAAT.
- Manage with 2 month intense stage with RIPE, then 4 month relaxed stage with RI.
Always remember to check baseline LFTs and Visual Acuity first, give Pyridoxine to avoid nerve issues, give steroids if TB in awkward place.
What are you worried about if someone comes in with low Glucose + Mg + K + Phosphate?
How do you manage them?
Refeeding Syndrome.
Sudden reintroduction of food causes the body to secrete insulin, massive increase in synthesis which drains the blood of these ions, causing the symptoms of refeeding syndrome.
Treat with Pabrinex, Fluids, Vitamins and Minerals. If alcoholic consider Chlordiazepoxide and further thiamine deficiency issues.
How do you manage alcohol withdrawal?
Fluids, Pabrinex, Chlordiazepoxide, Consider additional Thiamine.
Aim is to avoid Wernicke’s becoming Korsakof
What medications are most commonly associated with falls in the elderly?
In order:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Sleeping pills (benzos, other sedatives)
- BP medication
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Opioids
- Diuretics
What are the 5 common causes of falls in the elderly?
1) Muscle weakness or balance issue.
2) Issues relating to their vision.
3) Long term medical conditions (e.g. Cardiac, Respiratory or Neuro)
4) Long term medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, BP)
5) Issues in their home enviroment.
A good broad approach to managing a falls patient is assessing and correcting these issues.
Distinctive features of delirium vs dementia
Acute, fluctuating change in ALERTNESS, CONSCIOUSNESS AMD ATTENTION. Causes Delusions that are short lived and fluctuating, and leads to fragmented sleep but not Sleep-Wake Reversal.
Remeber to always ask for a colateral history to help distinguish.
Broadly what are the causes of Delirium?
- Liver or Lung Failure
- Infection
- Metabolic disturbance
- Iatrogenic (either medication or post-op)
- Pain or Anxiety
- Urinary Retention or Complications
- Substance Intoxication or Withdrawal
Why is the anti-cholinergic burden a concern in older patients?
High anti-cholinergic scores are associated with blurry vision, urinary retention and constipation.
These are all things that can precipitate falls in the elderly.
3 main effects of Dementia?
- Impaired Cognition
- Impaired Memory
- Impaired Activities of Daily Living
Drugs used to treat Dementia?
Cholinesterase inhibitors: Neostigmine, Donepezil, Galantamine.
If vascular dementia is suspected, management of cardiac risk factors is essential.
How do you manage Stress and Urge incontinence?
In both cases lifestyle factors such as increasing fluid intake but reducing caffeine can be effective, as well as regular toileting and maintaining good bowel habits.
Stress:
1st = Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
2nd = Duloxetine
3rd = Tension Free Vag Tape, Intra-Mural Bulking, Artificial Sphincter.
Urge:
1st = Bladder Training
2nd = Oxybutinin
3rd = Botox Injections, PC Sacral Nerve Stimulation, Urinary Diversion bia Ileal Conduit.
What are the two common causes of faecal incontinence?
Constipation and Neurological dysfunction.
If a patient presents with faecal incontinence, important to check anything that could cause these two.
Describe a Vasovagal?
Comes on over a few seconds during which the patient may experience nausea, swetting and pallor. Unconscious period lasts about 2 minutes and nothing happens during it. Patient recovers rapidly.
Look out for causes, common ones include coughing, effort, micturition, or Carotid Sinus Stimulation from head turning or shaving.
Describe Epilepsy?
Commonly occur when lying down or asleep or due to obvious triggers such as TV. Patient may experience an aura with altered breathing, cyanosis. Quite prominent synptoms during, such as incontinence, jerking, cyanosis and tongue bitting. Patient feels off afterwards, postictal state of drowsiness, confusion, amnesia.
Describe a Stokes-Adams attack?
Transient arrythmia causing a temporary drop in CO, which is rapidly resolved on collapsing.
Little to no warning, perhaps palpitations. Patient will go pale with a slow, weak pulse during but will recover rapidly as CO increases again.
Can happen multiple times a day.
Causes of Constipation?
- General (poor diet, low fluid intake, old age, post-op)
- Anorectal Disease (cancer, fissures, prolapse)
- Bowel (obstruction, strictures, masses, diverticulitis)
- Endocrine (High Ca, Low K, Low Thyroid)
- Drugs (Opiates, TCAs, Iron, Furosemide)
- Neuromuscular (Diabetic neuropathy, injuries)
What are the 4 types of laxatives and give an example of each?
- Bulking agents e.g. Fybogel. Work by increasing the mass of stool and triggering peristalsis.
- Stimulants e.g. Senna. Increase gut motility.
- Stool softeners e.g. Arachis Oil Enemas.
- Osmotic Laxatives e.g. Macrogol or Lactulose. Work by producing a low pH diarrhoea which is easier to pass.
How do you diagnose Urge incontinence?
Complete emptying (stress is normally only small amounts) + Triggers followed by Urge + Urodynamic study.
Differentials for a stroke?
Seizure, Syncope, Sepsis.
Primary headache disorder, Space occupying lesion.