Miscellaneous Medicine

Question 1

Anticholinergic burden

Answer 1

The cumulative effect of taking one or more medications with anticholinergic activity. It is a strong predictor of cognitive and physical impairment, especially in elderly patients.

Anticholinergic medications are drugs that block and inhibit the activity of the acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) at both central and peripheral nervous system synapses

Question 2

Why do oxygen levels fall during sleep/are lower in the morning?

Answer 2

Respiratory rate is lower during sleep

Question 3

When should supplemental oxygen be administered?

Oxygen targets, lower target in COPD

Answer 3

• Target O2 saturation is 94%-98%
• Exception is those at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure (eg COPD patients) where target range should be 88%-92%

Question 4

Lipid hypertrophy

Answer 4

Lump of fatty tissue under skin caused by repeated injections in the same place
* common in people with type 1 diabetes who inject insulin regularly into abdomen
* issue as injecting into areas of lipohypertrophy can affect body’s ability to absorb insulin

Question 5

MSU, MC&S

Answer 5

• Mid-stream urine
• microscopy, culture and sensitivity (urine)
• these are the same thing

Question 6

Azithromycin

Answer 6

• Macrolide antibiotic- cause cessation of bacterial protein synthesis
• side effect includes prolonged QT interval and electrolyte disturbances