Medicine Workbook Flashcards
What is the difference between a STEMI and an NSTEMI?
STEMI involves transmural infarction whereas NSTEMI is a partial infarction that does not affect the full thickness of the wall
What anticoagulant should be prescribed until discharge post-MI?
fondaparinux
Treatment for chronic HF?
ACEi
BB
Diuretics
Spironolactone
Digoxin
What are the 3 commonest causes of AF and how could they be investigated?
HF- echocardiogram
Hypertension - blood pressure measurement
IHD- coronary angiogram
What drugs are used in long term AF tx?
Beta blocker for rate control
Potentially DOAC (warfarin second line) depending on CHA2D2-VaSc
How does aortic stenosis present in the pulse, BP, and on auscultation?
Weak pulse
High systolic BP
Ejection systolic murmur louder on expiration
Common differentials for a systolic murmur?
Pulmonary/aortic stenosis
Tricuspid/mitral regurge
HOCM
Atrial septal defect
Key investigations for aortic stenosis?
CXR
ECG- LV strain
Doppler echo- pressure gradient across valve
Common complications of aortic stenosis?
LV hypertrophy/strain
Arrhythmias
Stroke
HF
Common causes of valvular heart disease?
Rheumatic fever
Infective endocarditis
Congenital valve disease
Age related degeneration
Common secondary causes of a high BP?
ROPE
Renal - renal artery stenosis, APCKD, glomerulonephritis
Obesity
Pregnancy
Endocrine - Cushing’s, hyperthyroidism, phaechromocytoma
Features of hypertensive retinopathy?
I- Arteriolar narrowing and tortuosity
Increased light reflex - silver wiring
II - Arteriovenous nicking
III - Cotton-wool exudates
Flame and blot haemorrhages
These may collect around the fovea resulting in a ‘macular star’
IV - Papilloedema
Side effects of insulin injections?
Hypoglycaemia
Infection/ lipodystrophy at injection site
Weight gain
How should you investigate and manage a diabetic ulcer?
Investigations:
Blood glucose levels
Wound swab for culture
X-ray foot
Management:
Debridement and abx if required
wound care and dressing
therapeutic shoes
referral to podiatrist
What organisms are commonly involved in infected diabetic foot ulcers and how are they treated?
Staph, strep, anaerobes
Benzylpenicillin
Flucloxacillin
Metronidazole
What causes a Charcot joint?
Trauma to a neuropathic extremity
Clinical features suggestive of osteomyelitis with a diabetic foot ulcer?
Deep ulcer - > 3mm
Wide ulcer - >2cm
Ulcer above a bony prominence
Dactylitis (sausage toe)
Purulent discharge
Why do patients develop HHS?
Missing doses of diabetic drugs or episodes of physiological stress which increase blood glucose
Risks of suboptimal diabetes control?
DKA
HHS
Diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy
Diabetic foot disease
Vascular disease - increased cardiovascular risk
what is Hba1c?
Glycated hb- gives a measure of blood glucose over past 90 days
What is ACR?
Albumin : creatinine ratio
Shows if there is elevated albumin in the urine- screens for microalbuminuria, an early sign of diabetic nephropathy
Give an example of an educational course available to diabetics
DESMOND - diabetes education and self management for ongoing and newly diagnosed
Helps patients to understand their condition and take control of their BM
How can crisis be prevented in patients with known and treated Addison’s?
Education on adherence
Double hydrocortisone when unwell
Hydrocortisone IM if vomiting consistently
What evidence can a patient carry if they are on long term steroids?
Steroid emergency card
Immediate management of acute hyponatraemia?
Give hypertonic saline
Transfer to HDU for monitoring
What tx can be used to rapidly improve low sodium levels?
ADH antagonist drugs e.g. tolvaptan
How can you assess a patient’s fluid balance?
Check fluid intake and urine output
Measure BP
Measure JVP and examine
How should you manage acute hypocalcaemia?
IV calcium gluconate (10ml 10% solution over 10 mins)
Constant ECG monitoring
Common causes of hypercalcaemia?
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Malignancy
Sarcoidosis
Vit D toxicity
Thyrotoxicosis
What malignancies can cause hypercalcaemia and by what mechanism?
Myeloma - malignancy of bone marrow
Bone mets- malignancy destroys bone, releases calcium
SCLC - PTHrp- increases osteoclast activity
What drugs lower calcium and how do they work?
Bisphosphonates- inhibit osteoclast activity
Calcitonin - like bisphosphonates but quicker onset of action
Furosemide- increases urinary excretion, should be given with fluids
Common signs of hyperthyroidism?
Palmar erythema
Fast irregular pulse - AF
Tachycardia
Exopthalmos
Hair thinning
Weight loss
Tx options for hyperthyroidism?
Drugs - propanolol for rate control, carbimazole, propylthiouracil
Radioiodine therapy
Thyroidectomy
Common signs of hypothyroidism?
Slow reflexes
Bradycardia
Cold extremities
Weight gain
Dry skin
Coarse hair
Common risk factors for GI bleeding?
Peptic ulcers
Oesophageal varices
Upper GI malignancy
Medications e.g. NSAIDs
High alcohol intake
Important clinical examination findings to document in suspected GI bleed?
Blood pressure
HR
Abdo exam findings - masses, areas of discomfort, hepatomegaly
What investigations should be done for suspected GI bleed?
Bloods - FBC, LFTs, U&Es (UREA!!!), clotting profile, crossmatch
CXR
Endoscopy
Pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease?
Increased production of gastric acid or decreased gastroprotective mechanisms causes erosion through mucosal layers
What clinical findings on examination would you look for in someone with significant hx of diarrhoea?
Capillary refill
Pulse and BP
Pallor of conjunctiva
Mouth ulcers
Skin rashes e.g. erythema nodosum
Abdo masses/pain
Perianal disease e.g. skin tags
Investigations for someone with prolonged diarrhoea?
Bloods - FBC (anaemia), U&Es, CRP, ESR, ferritin
Stool sample and culture- infection
Colonoscopy
Differentials for bloody diarrhoea?
Infective gastroenteritis
IBD - UC
Bowel cancer
Polyps
Haemorrhoids
Key clinical findings to look for in someone with jaundice?
Palmar erythema
Hepatic flap
Spider naevi
Hepatomegaly
Abdo pain
Ascites- fluid thrill and shifting dullness
Important investigations in someone with jaundice?
Bloods- LFTs, U&Es, bilirubin, clotting profile
Serum paracetamol levels
USS liver and pancreas
Common differentials for jaundice?
Chronic liver disease
Pancreatic cancer (painless)
Cholangitis
Bile duct injury
Gallstones
Give 3 causes of malnutrition in patients with chronic liver disease.
How would you manage each one?
Alcoholism - reduced intake and vomiting - thiamine supplementation and referral to dieticians and support services
Decreased bile production- eat smaller meals, sit upright, limit fatty foods
Decreased protein production - dialysis