OSCEs Flashcards
What is considered high blood pressure and referral criteria?
140/90mmHg
What is considered high random blood glucose and referral criteria?
> 11mmol/L
What is considered to be low random blood glucose and referral criteria?
<3.5mmol/L
What is considered to be high random blood cholesterol and referral criteria?
> 5mmol/L
What BMI is considered to be underweight?
<18.5
What BMI range is considered to be the normal range?
18.5-24.9
What BMI range is considered to be overweight?
25-29.9
What BMI range is considered to be obese?
> 30
What are the symptoms of a runny/ blocked nose?
(1) Runny nose with thickening mucous
What are the symptoms of a summer cold?
(1) Nasal congestion
(2) Sneezing
(3) Watery eyes
What is usually the best treatment of acute otitis media?
Painkillers
Are antibiotics recommended for acute otitis media?
No
60% of AOM resolves in 24hrs, 80% in 3 days
When is GP referral appropriate for acute otitis media?
Recurrent infection, not resolving
What are symptoms for direct referral in chest pain?
(1) Localised knifelike pain
- worsened by breathing/ coughing
What are the different types of medicinal products for the skin?
(1) Emollients
(2) Topical corticosteroids
(3) Antihistamines
(4) Antiseptics
(5) Antifungal
What are common side effects of topical corticosteroids?
(1) Skin thinning
(2) Skin vulnerability to infection
(3) Skin changing colour
What are the age restrictions for hydrocortisone sale?
10+ years
What are the age restrictions for clobetasone sale?
12+ years
Where can a corticosteroid not be used?
(1) Broken/ infected skin
(2) Anogenital region
(3) Face
(4) Pregnancy
What are the presenting features of eczema?
(1) Itchy skin
(2) Red/ scaly skin
(3) Cracked
(4) Inflammation
(5) Papules
(6) Rash
(7) Pruritus
What is the treatment for eczema?
(1) Emollient
(2) Topical corticosteroid
What is the referral criteria for skin?
(1) Bleeding
(2) Weeping
(3) Infection
(4) Non-blanching rash
What non-pharmacological advice can be given for patients with eczema?
(1) Avoid irritant fabrics
(2) Avoid soaps/ detergents
(3) Avoid heat
What are the referral criteria for contact dermatitis?
(1) Non-blanching rash
(2) Failure of treatment
(3) Lesions on face
(4) Child
(5) Pregnant/ breast-feeding
(6) Broken skin/ weeping/ bleeding
(7) Widespread
(8) Infection
What are the typical presenting symptoms of psoriasis?
(1) Salmon-pink
(2) Silvery-white scales
(3) Well-defined boundaries
What are the common presenting features of psoriasis?
(1) Raised
(2) Large
(3) Red
(4) Scaling
(5) Patches
(6) Plaques
(7) History
(8) Long-term
(9) Symmetry
What are the treatments of psoriasis?
(1) Emollients
(2) Coal-tar based preparations
(3) Keratolytics
What are the referral criteria for psoriasis?
(1) Non-blanching rash
(2) Bleeding
(3) Lesions with malaise/ fever/ swollen glands
(4) Hairloss
(5) Abnormal lumps
(6) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
What is the non-pharmacological advice for psoriasis?
(1) Continue treatment even after it feels better
(2) Regular review with dermatology team
(3) Maintain a healthy diet + exercise
What are the presenting factors of chicken pox?
(1) Fluid filled blisters
(2) Rash
(3) Itchy spots
(4) Fever
(5) Loss of appetite
(6) Aching body
(7) Presentation on trunk
What is the treatment for chicken pox?
(1) Analgesic
(2) Antipyretic
(3) Antihistamine/ emollient/ cooling gels
What are the referral criteria for chicken pox?
(1) Non-blanching rash
(2) Infected blisters
(3) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
(4) Immunosuppressed
What is the non-pharmacological advice for chicken pox?
(1) Hydration
(2) Cool clothing
(3) Stop virus spreading
- sterilise surfaces
What is the referral criteria for shingles?
(1) Antiviral treatment
(2) Non-blanching rash
(3) Severity of symptoms
(4) High risk of complications
What are the presenting symptoms of ringworm?
(1) Itchy
(2) Pink/ red
(3) Scaly
(4) Raised
(5) Patches
(6) Inflamed
(7) Defined border
(8) Central clearing
What is the treatment of ringworm?
Antifungal topical preparations
What are the referral criteria for ringworm?
(1) Large areas of the body
(2) Treatment failure
(3) Face
(4) Scalp
(5) Anogenital
(6) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
(7) Non-blanching rash
What are the presenting features of bites?
(1) Itching
(2) Papules
(3) Weals
(4) Pain
What are the presenting symptoms of stings?
(1) Intense burning pain
(2) Erythema
(3) Oedema
(4) Systemic response
- superficial reddening of the skin
What is the treatment for bites and stings?
(1) Analgesic - paracetamol
(2) Antihistamine - oral/ topical
(3) Topical corticosteroid
What is the referral criteria for bites and stings?
(1) Intense swelling
(2) Restriction to blood flow
(3) Bleeding
(4) Sting/ insect still present
(5) Anaphylaxis/ flu-like symptoms
What is the most serious type of meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis
Should be treated as a medical emergency
What are the presenting features of meningitis?
(1) Fever
(2) Vomiting
(3) Agitation
(4) Drowsy
(5) Grunt/ rapid breathing
(6) High-pitched moan/ cry
(7) Stiff neck
(8) Convulsions or seizures
(9) Dislike of bright light
(10) Non-blanching rash
What are the presenting features of melanoma?
(1) Increase in size
(2) Getting bigger
(3) Changing colour
(4) Itchy/ painful
(5) Bleeding/ becoming painful
What are the presenting features of cellulitis?
(1) N+V
(2) Shivering + chills
(3) Malaise
(4) Rapid redness spreading
(5) Fever
(6) Confusion
(7) Tachycardia
(8) Tachypnoea
(9) Dizziness
What are the presenting features of acne?
(1) Blackheads
(2) Whiteheads
(3) Papules
- small tender red bumps
(4) Pustules
- small tender red bumps with white head
(5) Nodules
- hard lumps underneath the skin
(6) Cysts
- look similar to boils + high risk of scarring
What is the treatment for acne?
(1) Topical retinoids
(2) Topical ABx
(3) Combined oral contraceptive pill, in women
What is benzoyl peroxide?
Prevents dead skin blocking follicles
Kills bacteria on skin
Treatment for acne
What is the referral criteria for acne?
(1) Weeping
(2) Bleeding
(3) Infection
(4) Cracked/ broken skin
(5) Pain
(6) Treatment failure
(7) Nodules/ cysts present
In what age group is rosacea most common?
30-50years
What are the signs and symptoms of rosacea?
(1) Flushing
(2) Persistent facial redness
(3) Visible blood vessels
(4) Papule + pustules
(5) Thickened skin
(6) Eye problems
(7) Sensitive skin
(8) Dry + rough skin
(9) Raised red patches on skin
(10) Facial swelling
What are the common triggers for rosacea?
(1) Exposure to sunlight
(2) Stress
(3) Strenuous exercise
(4) Hot/ cold weather
(5) Hot drinks
(6) Alcohol/ caffeine
(7) Medication
- amiodarone
- corticosteroids
(8) Spicy foods
What is the treatment for rosacea?
No treatment available OTC
Referral to GP is essential
Azelaic acid or metronidazole
What is the non-pharmacological advice for rosacea?
(1) Sunlight
- minimum SPF30
(2) Stress
(3) Food + drink
- have a food diary
- stop alcohol + spicy food
(4) Protect face from cold weather
(5) Skincare techniques
- cleanse skin OM + ON
How long does it usually take for cold sores to clear up without treatment?
7-10 days
What can activate cold sores?
(1) Fatigue + tiredness
(2) Feeling unwell
(3) Injury to area
(4) Menstrual cycle
(5) Having another infection
(6) Having fever
(7) Emotional upset
(8) Psychological stress
(9) Strong sunlight
What are the initial symptoms of a cold sore?
Asymptomatic to begin with
What are pharmacological treatments for cold sores if it does not spontaneously resolve?
(1) Aciclovir
(2) Paracetamol + ibuprofen
What is the referral criteria for cold sores?
(1) Spread of infection
(2) Failure of treatment
(3) Dehydration
(4) Large numbers
(5) Babies/ infants
(6) Lasting >10 days
What are the two types of impetigo?
(1) Non-bullous impetigo:
- Around nose + mouth
- skin bursts leaving yellow-brown crusts
(2) Bullous impetigo:
- fluid filled blisters leaving a yellow crust
What are the signs and symptoms of impetigo?
(1) Red sores
(2) Sores bursting
(3) Red marks
(4) Itchiness
(5) Fever
(6) Swollen glands
Does impetigo self resolve?
14-21 days
What are the signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot?
(1) Rash
(2) Itchiness
(3) Scaling
(4) Cracks
(5) Soreness
(6) Redness
(7) Flakey skin
(8) Dryness
What is the treatment for athlete’s foot?
Topical antifungal treatment
Azoles/ terbinafine
- tolnaftate (Mycil)
- griseofulvin (Grisol)
- hydrocortisone (Canestan)
What is the referral criteria for athlete’s foot?
(1) Treatment failure
(2) Diabetic failure
(3) Signs of bacterial infection
(4) Nails affected
(5) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
(6) Severe + affecting other parts of the foot
What is onchomycosis?
Fungal infection of the nail
What are the signs and symptoms of onchomycosis?
(1) Nail becomes thickened
(2) Nail is discoloured
(3) Pain/ brittle nail
(4) Skin becomes inflamed + painful
What is the treatment of onchomycosis?
GP’s decision
Antifungal tablets
Curanail - amorolfine 5%
What is the referral criteria for onchomycosis?
(1) Affecting more than 2 nails
(2) Failure of treatment
(3) Immunocompromised
(4) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
(5) Diabetic
How long does onchomycosis take to treat?
6-12 months
9-12 months for toe nails
What are the signs and symptoms of warts?
(1) Knuckles/ fingers/ knees
(2) Round/ oval shaped
(3) Firm
(4) Raised
(5) Rough surface
(6) Irregular surface
(7) 1-10mm
What are the signs and symptoms of verrucas?
(1) Soles of the feet
(2) White patch of skin
(3) Black dot
(4) Flat
(5) Painful
What is the treatment for verrucas?
(1) Self resolution
(2) OTC treatment
- salicylic acid
- cryotherapy
How long does it usually take for warts to self-resolve?
2 years
How can normal skin be protected against salicylic acid?
(1) Petroleum jelly
(2) Corn plasters
What must be done prior to first application of salicylic acid?
(1) Soak wart/ verruca for 5 minutes
(2) File down with pumice stone
What must be done prior to the maintenance application of salicylic acid?
(1) Soak wart/ verruca for 2-3 minutes
(2) Apply directly to affected area
(3) Allow area to dry
(4) Peel off white patch from area following day
(5) File down with pumice stone once a week
What is the referral criteria for warts/ verrucas?
(1) Treatment failure - 12 weeks
(2) Multiple clusters
(3) Face
(4) Genitals
(5) Immunocompromised patients
(6) Diabetic patients
(7) Pregnant/ breastfeeding
What is the difference between corns and callouses?
Corns have a well defined edge
What is the referral criteria for corns and callouses?
(1) Treatment failure
(2) Diabetic patient
(3) Affecting walking
(4) Intense pain
(5) Affecting posture
What is the first line treatment for corns or callouses?
(1) Remove cause of friction/ pressure
(2) Removal of thickened skin
(3) Wear comfortable flat shoes + gloves
(4) Referral to podiatrist/ chiropodist
What is the pharmacological treatment for corns or callouses?
Salicylic acid to soften the top layer of skin
What are the three types of pain?
(1) Nerve/ neuropathic pain
(2) Organ/ visceral pain
(3) Body/ somatic pain
What is the maximum number of paracetamol tablets that can be sold in a pharmacy without prescription?
100 tablets
What is the maximum number of aspirin tablets that can be sold in the pharmacy without a prescription?
100 tablets
Why is caffeine often included in analgesic products?
(1) Shown to produce enhanced pain relief
(2) Improves analgesic absorption by lowering gastric pH
What is lumbago?
Lower back pain
What analgesic should be avoided in management of a sport-related injury?
Aspirin
Can affect clotting
What should be avoided in management of a sport-related injury?
H - Heat
A - Alcohol
R - Running
M - Massage
What is the referral criteria for a sport-related injury?
(1) Severe/ prolonged
(2) Unable to bear weight
(3) Head injury
(4) Signs of infection
(5) Fevers/ chills/ malaise
(6) Joint instability
(7) Pins and needles
(8) Treatment failed
What is the symptomatic treatment of bruising?
(1) Heparinoid
(2) Arnica
(3) Witch hazel
What is a heparinoid?
Symptomatic treatment of bruising
Help disperse oedema
Reduce swelling and bruising
What is arnica?
Symptomatic treatment of bruising
Traditional herbal medicinal product
What is witch hazel?
Symptomatic treatment of bruising
Acts as astringent and anti-inflammatory
What is referral criteria for bruising?
(1) Unexplained
(2) Frequent
(3) Excessive
(4) Known clotting problems
(5) Hepatic impairment
(6) Taking warfarin/ NSAIDs/ steroids/ carbimazole
What is the first line treatment for back pain?
NSAIDs
What is the second line treatment for back pain?
Paracetamol
What is the referral criteria for back pain?
(1) Pain following major trauma
(2) Weight loss
(3) New pain in <20 or >50years
(4) Worst at rest + better after exercise
(5) Bladder/ bowel problems
(6) Widespread/ worsening weakness in legs
(7) Pain radiating down 1/2 legs
(8) Numbness/ tingling
(9) Fever
(10) Suspected OA/ OP
(11) No response to treatment
What are the common types of headache?
(1) Migraine
(2) Tension headache
(3) Cluster headache
Where does a cluster headache affect?
Around the eye
Where does a tension headache affect?
Temples and around the back of the head