Medicine: AcuteMed Flashcards
Three components of assessing ACS
Hx
ECG
Troponin
Classic cardiac chest pain hx
Retrosternal heaviness, radiates to jaw +/- arm, exertion exacerbates sx, GTN may help, a/w autonomic features
ACS RFs
HTN, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, FHx, smoking
Unstable Angina (inc both at rest + crescendo angina)
Hx is vital, no acute ECG findings, normal troponin -> admit for ACS tx + cardio review
What is crescendo angina?
Chest pain comes on after shorter and shorter distances of exertion
NSTEMI vs STEMI
NSTEMI - mismatch of O2 demand/consumption w some myocardial damage
STEMI - complete blockage of blood flow and transmural damage
There’s an elevated troponin in both
NSTEMI
ECG: normal, subtle ST abnormalities, ST depression, inverted T waves
Mx: A-E, cardiac monitor, serial ECGs, admit for ACS tx +/- angiography
What is the ACS tx?
- Load w Dual AntiPl (300mg Aspirin + 300mg Clopidogrel / 180mg Ticagrelol)
- 2-8d AntiCoag (2.5mg Fundaparinox OD)
- 1y Dual AntiPl (75mg Aspirin OD + 75mg Clopidogrel OD / 90mg Ticagrelol BD)
- If they had PCI then after 1y stop the clopidogrel/ticagrelol and persist w lifelong aspirin
When should angiography be performed?
Fit individuals within 72hrs
STEMI
ECG: ST elevation of 2mm in chest leads/1mm in two consecutive inferior leads, new LBBB, hyperacute T waves
Mx: A-E, PCI <90mins if in capable hospital, PCI <120mins if requires transfer, thrombolysis <30mins if PCI unavailable, plus MONA w/o high flow O2 due to free radicals unless sats are low
Which antiemetic doesn’t cause tachycardia?
Metoclopramide
The classification of stroke
Ischaemic - lacunar, atherosclerotic, cardiogenic emboli, cryptogenic
Haemorrhagic - SAH + intracerebral
The different types of a lacunar stroke
Pure motor, pure sensory, mixed sensorimotor, ataxic hemiparesis, clumsy hand, silent
The vasc territories of the brain
Ant Circulation - ACA, MCA, internal carotid
Post Circulation - PCA, basilar, vertebral
Cerebellum - SCA, AICA, PICA
ACA Stroke Syndrome
Contralateral leg > arm paresis or bilateral if both ACAs involved + mild sensory defect, disinhibition, executive dysfunction
MCA Stroke Syndromes
Face -> Arm -> Leg Weakness
Left Hemisphere ie dominant - right hemiparesis, sensory loss, homonymous hemianopia + dysarthria, aphasia, apraxia
Right Hemisphere ie non-dominant - left hemiparesis, sensory loss, homonymous hemianopia + dysarthria, neglect of left side, flat affect
PCA Stroke Syndromes
Occipital Lobe - contralateral homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia + cortical blindness if bilateral lesions
Medial Temp Lobe - deficits in long and short term memory + behaviour alteration
Thalamic - contralateral sensory loss, executive dysfunction, aphasia, memory impairment, dec level of consciousness
Where must the infarct be if the patient has a quadrantanopia?
The occipital lobe
Which strokes can cause a dec level of consciousness?
Large MCA, thalamic, brainstem
Cerebellar Stroke
Dysdiadochokinesis Ataxia Nystagmus Intention Tremor Scanning Dysarthria Hypotonia
+/- nausea, vomiting, headache
What else can AICA ischaemia present with?
Deafness
What are you worried about if a pt following a cerebellar stroke becomes drowsy?
Hydrocephalus, repeat CT head, may require surgery
What simple test should you always do for a pt w collapse and neurology?
Glucose
Tx of ischaemic stroke following CT head
IV alteplase within 4.5hrs unless absolute CI of intracerebral or active bleeding
If you miss the timeframe or there’s a CI then IV thrombectomy within 6-24hrs
Plus two wks 200mg aspirin then switch to long term 75mg clopidogrel, statin, lifestyle advice
What further ix do you do for a pt <65yrs following a stroke?
Prolonged heart recorder looking for AF, bubble echo looking for patent foramen ovale, homocysteine, thrombophilia screen, vasculitic screen, LP, HIV, FHx
How do you dx TIA?
They’re having a stroke until all sx/signs revolve within 24hrs w/o tx
How long should a pt be assessed by a specialist following a TIA?
Give 300mg aspirin STAT until reviewed within 24hrs
What are the red flags for admission following a TIA?
AF, more than one event within last wk, on anticoags
What should you do if TIA + AF?
Start anticoag w NOAC on the day
What is SIRS?
Systemic inflam response syndrome w >=2: temp >38 or <36, HR >90bpm, RR >20bpm or pCO2 <4.3kPa, WCC >12 or <4 x10^9/L or >10% immature forms
Def of sepsis
Life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection
Outline how sepsis is operationalised
Quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) where 2/3 predicts poor outcome: RR >=22bpm, GCS <15, SBP <=100mmHg
Plus just look at the pt: position, exhausted, temp, sweaty, confused, speaking
Def of septic shock
Underlying circulatory, cellular +/or metabolic abnormalities are profound enough to substantially inc mortality
Outline how shock is operationalised
Persisting hypotenion requiring vasopressors to maintain MAP >=65mmHg
Plus lactate >2mmol/L despite adequate fluid resus
Each section of the GCS
E4V5M6
Best eye response: spontaneous, to sound, to pressure, none
Best verbal response: oriented, confused, words, sounds, none
Best motor response: obey commands, localising, withdraws, decorticate, decerebrate, none
What’s a quicker way of recording the level of consciousness? And it’s correlation to GCS?
The AVPU Scale
Alert - 15, Verbal - 12, Pain - 8, Unresponsive - 3
What would be the most likely source of sepsis?
Pneumonia 50%
Urinary Tract 20%
Abdomen 15%
Skin + MSK 10%
Endocarditis 1%
Device Related 1%
Meningitis 1%
Sx that might indicate sepsis
Slurred speech or confusion
Extreme shivering, muscle pain, fever
Passing no urine all day
Severe breathlessness
It feels like they’re going to die
Skin mottled or discoloured
Sev Sepsis vs Septic Shock
Sev: evidence of end organ damage and hypotension responds to fluids
Shock: evidence of end organ damage w an inc lactate and hypotension refractory to fluids and inotropes requiring ITU management
What are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Hypo/HyperK
Hypothermia
Toxins
Tamponade
Tension Pneumothorax
Thromboembolism
How do the 4H’s and 4T’s translate to the primary survey?
H’s: O2 sats, obvious bleeding and HR/BP, VBG, temp
T’s: known hx, examine, ECG, ultrasound, xray
What do pretty much all pts that come through resus get?
Fluids, O2, full CT
How do you act as a scribe?
Sign in sheet, pt stickers and date pages, pt wristband, age and gender, time of arrival, preload trauma booklet w obs, AMPLE
What does AMPLE stand for?
Allergies Medications PMHx Last Meal Events
Which organs are most prone to ischaemia?
Brain
Heart
Kidneys
What are the two shockable and non-shockable rhythms?
Shockable: VF + pulseless VT -> one shock and 2mins CPR then reassess
Non-Shockable: asystole + pulseless electrical activity -> 2mins CPR then reassess
What does ROSC stand for?
Return of spontaneous circulation
When someone says they’re on HRT what should you inquire?
Reason, cyclical/continuous, SEs
What should you always ask about in a fall hx? (2)
Injury to the head and any neck/back pain
How long they were on the floor for to assess risk of rhabdomyolysis
How to counsel a miscarriage dx?
Very common 1/5 known pregnancies
It usually means the preg isn’t viable and not one you’d want to continue anyway
It doesn’t affect your fertility and chances of getting pregnant again
What can happen if you inject local into an artery?
Arrhythmias + Necrosis
What scoring system do nurses use for every pt?
Manchester Triage System where 1 is immediate resus and 5 is non-urgent
Chest Pain DDx
ACS - arm/neck/jaw, nausea, clammy, SOB, palps
PE + PT - SOB, haemoptysis, tender calves, recent surgery, long travel
Oesoph Rupture - epigastric & vomiting
Aortic Dissection - interscapular & neuro deficits
If they took GTN spray which helped?
Their own spray, when dx with IHD,
When is troponin measured?
Upon arrival and three hrs later
What is a good marker of re infarction?
CK-MB
Asthma Severity BTS
Acute Mod: inc sx + PEF 50-75%
Acute Severe: inability to complete sentences + PEF 33-50%, RR >=25, HR >=110
Life-Threat: clinical signs + PEF <33%, SpO2 <92%, T1RF
Near-Fatal: T2RF +/- requiring mechanical ventilation
Drugs causing pupil dilation
Cocaine, TCA, Atropine
Drugs causing pupil constriction
Opiates, Nicotine, Pilocarpine
What must you stop when reassessing the rhythm?
Chest compressions
What joules is the shock charged to?
150J
What is the definitive airway?
Tracheal intubation by the anaesthetists
How many mL/hr is an infusion rate of one drop per second?
180mL/hr
How do you categorise tachycardia’s?
Narrow Reg: sinus, SVT, Atrial Flutter, AVRT, AVNRT
Narrow Irr: AF
Broad Reg: VT + SVT w BBB
Broad Irr: Torsades + AF w BBB
How do you categorise bradycardia’s?
Sinus + Heart Block
The different types of heart block
AV, RBBB, LBBB, bifascicular, trifascicular
Def of trifascicular block
Presence of conducting disease in all three fascicles: right bundle branch, left anterior fascicle, left posterior fascicle
Def of bifascicular block
Combination of RBBB w either LAFB or LPFB
Which is more common LAFB or LPFB?
LAFB
Which part of the rhythm do you synchronise cardioversion with?
The R wave
Tx for SVT
Vagal Manoeuvres: carotid massage + valsalva
IV Adenosine
DC Cardioversion
NB: skip to DC cardioversion if haem unstable or others contraindicated
Tx for VT
Pulseless - defibrillation
Unstable - DC cardioversion
Stable - IV amiodarone
What should you have on standby when giving IV adenosine?
Resus equipment in case of VF or bronchospasm
What do you need to consider when performing a carotid massage?
Always auscultate for bruits first and don’t perform it on both sides simultaneously
Tx of Torsade de Pointes
IV Mg Sulfate
Why do pts fall?
CVS: arrhythmia, syncope, postural hypotension
Neuropsychiatric: vision, vestibular, cerebellar lesion, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive
MSK: instability, deconditioning, gait
Toxins: meds, polypharm, substance abuse
Environmental Hazards
How do you assess someone after a fall?
Hx + Collateral: location and activity, associated sx, drug hx, mobility aids, ADLs
O/E: CVS (HR BP HS ECG), Neuro - LL, MSK - Hip, Timed Up and Go Test (>12s), TURN180 (>4 steps)
Selection of adults for CT head scan
GCS <13 @ initial assessment
GCS <15 @ 2hrs after injury
Or: suspected skull fracture, any sign of basal skull fracture, post traumatic seizure, focal neuro deficit, >1 ep of vomiting since injury
Selection of children for CT head scan
GCS <14 @ initial assessment
GCS <15 @ 2hrs after injury
Or: suspected skull injury, tense fontanelle, any sign of basal skull fracture, focal neuro deficit, NAI
Signs of a basilar skull fracture
Raccoon eyes w tarsal plate sparing, haemotympanum, CSF otorrhea (Halo sign), postauricular ecchymosis (Battle sign)
What else should you enquire about if the pt complains of PV bleeding?
FLAWS + Anaemic Sx
Ddx for exertional chest pain that gets better w rest
CAD + AS/AR
What do you need to say when you put out a major haemorrhage call?
Paed v Adult
Med v Surg
Hosp, Ward, Bed
Who will be alerted following a major haem call?
Porter, haem, blood bank, resus team, hosp coordinator, theatre
What can the critical care outreach team do?
Nurses who can support the airway and prescribe
When you call 2222 what call can you put out?
Cardiac Arrest (3mins), Peri Arrest (5mins), Major Haem, Trauma, Obs/Neo/Paeds
What are the clinical signs of life-threatening asthma?
Altered conscious level, exhaustion, arrhythmia, hypotension, cyanosis, silent chest, poor resp effort
Outline the CURB-65 scoring
Confusion Urea >7.0mmol/L Resp Rate >30 sBP>90 | dBP <60 >65yrs
+1 point for each feature: 0-1 if stable discharge w PO amoxicillin 500mg/8h, 2 admit to wards, 3-5 admit to critical care unit
Outline the modified wells scoring: high prob of PE
> 4 —> CTPA
<=4 —> D-dimer
If the pt is tachy what ix do you need to do?
ECG
Outline the PERC rule: low prob of PE
If any of the below are +ve cannot rule out PE: age >50, HR >100, sats <95, unilateral leg swelling, haemoptysis, recent surgery/trauma, prior PE/DVT, hormone use
LOC DDx (5)
Reflex: vasovagal, carotid sinus hypersensitivity, situational (cough + micturition)
Cardiac: arrhythmia, WPW, outflow obstrc, stokes-adams, orthostatic
Neuro: seizure, narcolepsy, SAH/ICH
Metabolic: hypoglycaemia, hypoNa, polypharm, benzos, alcohol/drugs
Hypovolaemic: aortic dissection, AAA, ruptured ectopic
What is the definition of syncope?
A sudden transient LOC due to a reduction in blood supply to brain w spontaneous recovery: reflex, stokes-adams, orthostatic
Syncope vs Seizure
Syncope: trigger, prodrome, a/w posture/twitch, short duration, rapidly reoriented
Seizure: no trigger, deja/jamais vu, a/w jerking/tongue biting/incontinence, prolonged duration, prolonged post-ictal disorientation
What are the 3 P’s of syncope?
Provoked, Prodrome, Postural
Workup for TLoC
Hx: collateral, SOB, dizxy, fhx sudden death, RFs, risk stratify
O/E: A-E, GCS, cardio, neuro, head injury, fractures, AMTS
Ix: obs, lying+standing BP, ECG, bm, preg test, bloods, CT head
What is the San Francisco syncope rule?
Predicts risk for srs outcome at 7d if the pt has any of:
Congestive HF Haematocrit <30% EKG Abnormal Short of Breath SBP <90mmHg
Do not use if definite seizure, head trauma, alcohol/drug related, persistent altered mental status or new neuro deficits
What is the OESIL score?
Predicts risk for 12m all cause mortality:
CVD
Age >65
Syncope w/o Prodrome
EKG Abnormal
What is a sig change in lying and standing BP?
> 20 Systolic
>10 Diastolic
What are the RFs in the hx for falls?
Prev hx, injuries, immobility, afraid, meds
List the three broad categories of syncope
Reflex
Cardiac
Orthostatic
How do you perform lying+standing BP properly?
Take the BP after the pt has been lying for 5mins then again after they’ve been standing for 1min and 3mins
What are the ECG findings of Brugada syndrome?
Pseudo RBBB and persistent ST elevations in V1-2
What safety issues should be considered for epileptics?
Looking after children, driving, bathing alone, working w heights/heavy machinery
A-E Approach: A
Patent? Responsive? Added sounds?
If not responsive: look, listen, feel approach
If not breathing: check pulse, call help, start CPR
Think about airway manoeuvres/adjuncts, suction, protect c-spine
If struggling to maintain bleep the anaesthetist and only move on once happy
A-E Approach: B
Obs: RR and O2 sats
O/E: inspect chest, tracheal deviation, expansion, percuss, ausc
Ix: ABG, CXR, Covid Swab | Mx: O2
A-E Approach: C
Obs: HR and BP
O/E: inspect peripheries, CRT, JVP, HS I+II, large bore cannula in each ACF, take bloods, G+S/XM, cultures, give fluid challenge, UO
Ix: ECG, Troponin, BNP | Mx: Abx
A-E Approach: D
Work around the C: pupils, AVPU/GCS, temp, glucose, drug chart
A-E Approach: E
Examine entirety for rashes, trauma, bleeding
Plus perform crude abdo, consider urine dip and PR, NV limb exams