minor ailments of heart and resp systems

Question 1

what causes the cold

Answer 1

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

Question 2

is the cold self limiting

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what must you ensure when a patient has diabetes

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

avoid sympathomimetics as they increase HR and BP

Question 5

symptoms of the cold

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what is the unofficial rule for determining cold vs flu

Answer 6

if the patient can come to chemist its most likely flu

Question 7

symptoms of flu

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what should you recommend to high risk groups

Answer 9

flu and covid vaccine

Question 10

when to refer for cold symptoms

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what does yellow/green or blood specs in mucus mean

Answer 11

bacterial chest infection

Question 12

non drug advice for the cold

Answer 12

• rest
• increase fluids
• eat fresh fruit and veg to maintain vitamins and minerals
• symptoms should improve within a max 7-14 days

Question 13

should people under 50kg take 2 500mg paracetamol

Answer 13

no

Question 14

side effects of antihistamines

Answer 14

• dry mouth
• sedation
• constipation
• blurry vision
• urine retention

Question 15

side effects of systemic sympathomimetics

Answer 15

at OTC doses insomnia most likely

possibly tachycardia

Question 16

side effects of topical sympathomimetics

Answer 16

possible local irritation (5% of patients)

Question 17

who should be cautious when takin antihistamines

Answer 17

patients with glaucoma and men with enlarged prostate

Question 18

who should be cautious when taking systemic and topical sympathomimetics

Answer 18

avoid in patients with hypertension, heart disease or hyperthyroidism

Question 19

what area of throat does pain usually refer to

Answer 19

any part of the pharynx

Question 20

origin of sore throats

Answer 20

viral origin and so won’t respond to antibiotics

Question 21

danger symptoms of sore throat (REFER)

Answer 21

• difficulty swallowing food and liquid
• large tender lymph nodes in neck
• ulceration in mouth area
• extreme pain
• if failed meds and symptoms not improving
• previous history of tonsillitis

Question 22

treatments for sore throat

Answer 22

• analgesic
• antibacterial agents
• anaesthetic agent
• anti-inflammatory agent
• demulcents

Question 23

what is hayfever

Answer 23

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

Question 24

when does hayfever usually start

Answer 24

march to October
peaks June/July

Question 25

when to refer for hayfever

Answer 25

if breathing is affected or wheezing

Question 26

what to use to treat hayfever

Answer 26

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

Question 27

hayfever non drug advice (COMMON EXAM QUESTION)

Answer 27

• 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