minor ailments of heart and resp systems Flashcards

1
Q

what causes the cold

A

rhinoviruses (40% of colds)
coronaviruses (10% of colds)

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2
Q

is the cold self limiting

A

yes, (symptoms will resolve in 7-14 days)

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3
Q

what must you ensure when a patient has diabetes

A

that the medication is sugar free or that the patient is aware of the sugar content

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4
Q

what should you do when the patient has hypertension/CV/diabetes disease

A

avoid sympathomimetics as they increase HR and BP

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5
Q

symptoms of the cold

A
  • tingling in nose/throat/eyes
  • rhinorrhoea
  • nasal congestion
  • sore/inflamed throat
  • cough
  • children may get pyrexia
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6
Q

what is the unofficial rule for determining cold vs flu

A

if the patient can come to chemist its most likely flu

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7
Q

symptoms of flu

A
  • faster onset of symptoms
  • high and sustained fever
  • body aches, fatigue, cough etc that’s MORE SEVERE
  • symptoms last 2+ weeks
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8
Q

symptoms of covid that don’t align with covid or cold

A
  • loss of sense of taste/smell
  • cough is new and continuous
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9
Q

what should you recommend to high risk groups

A

flu and covid vaccine

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10
Q

when to refer for cold symptoms

A
  • prolonged severe symptoms relating to cough, breathlessness, fever etc
  • exacerbation of asthma/COPD
  • earache (most common in children)
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11
Q

what does yellow/green or blood specs in mucus mean

A

bacterial chest infection

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12
Q

non drug advice for the cold

A
  • rest
  • increase fluids
  • eat fresh fruit and veg to maintain vitamins and minerals
  • reassurance that it won’t last long
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13
Q

should people under 50kg take 2 500mg paracetamol

A

no

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14
Q

side effects of antihistamines

A
  • dry mouth
  • sedation
  • constipation
  • blurry vision
  • urine retention
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15
Q

side effects of systemic sympathomimetics

A

at OTC doses insomnia most likely

possibly tachycardia

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16
Q

side effects of topical sympathomimetics

A

possible local irritation (5% of patients)

17
Q

who should be cautious when takin antihistamines

A

patients with glaucoma and men with enlarged prostate

18
Q

who should be cautious when taking systemic and topical sympathomimetics

A

avoid in patients with hypertension, heart disease or hyperthyroidism

19
Q

what area of throat does pain usually refer to

A

any part of the pharynx

20
Q

origin of sore throats

A

viral origin and so won’t respond to antibiotics

21
Q

danger symptoms of sore throat (REFER)

A
  • difficulty swallowing
  • large tender lymph nodes
  • ulcerations
  • extreme pain
  • if failed meds and symptoms not improving
  • previous history of tonsillitis
22
Q

treatments for sore throat

A
  • analgesic
  • antibacterial agents
  • anaesthetic agent
  • anti-inflammatory agent
  • demulcents
23
Q

what is hayfever

A

when allergy symptoms arise due to exposure to pollen (tree, grass, flower)

24
Q

when does hayfever usually start

A

march to October
peaks June/July

25
Q

when to refer for hayfever

A

if breathing is affected or wheezing

26
Q

what to use to treat hayfever

A
  • oral antihistamines (1st choice)
  • antihistamine eyedrops
  • topical corticosteroid (nasal spray)
  • mast cell stabiliser
27
Q

hayfever non drug advice (COMMON EXAM QUESTION)

A
  • keep windows and doors closed
  • check pollen count and stay in when high
  • avoid cutting grass etc
  • wear wrap around sunglasses
  • avoid hanging washing out on high pollen count days
  • smear vaseline on inside of nostrils
  • prepare yourself in advance if you know when hayfever season starts
28
Q

what does phenylephrine do

A

constrict blood vessels in the nose to relive congestion