Paediatrics

Question 1

Treatment for threadworm/pinworm

Answer 1

Mebendazole: (100mg of 1 tablet or 5ml suspension): cannot be used on pregnant women or children under 2, may have to visit GP or just use home remedies until they disappear within 6 weeks

Question 2

Patient advice for thread worm

Answer 2

• Wash hands + scrub under fingernails (particularly before eating, after using the toilet or after changing nappies)
• Keep fingernails short
• Bathe or shower every morning
• Rinse toothbrushes before using them
• Wash sleepwear, sheets and towels regularly
• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• Vacuum regularly and dust using a damp cloth
• Avoid work and school

Question 3

Treatment for head lice

Answer 3

• Insecticide- Malathion
• Wet combing every 4 days for at least 2 weeks
• Physical agents: Hedrin (dimeticone)
• Lyclear (comes with included comb)
  (pay attention to behind ears + nape of neck as this is where most lice is found)

Question 4

Dry combing instructions

Answer 4

• Untangle hair using a regular comb
• Switch to detection comb from back of the head, comb from scalp to ends
• After each stroke examine comb for live lice
• Continue in sections until whole head is combed

Question 5

Instructions for wet combing

Answer 5

• Wash hair with normal shampoo + apply conditioner
• (Repeat steps for dry combing)

Question 6

Treatment for nappy rash

Answer 6

• Barrier creams + protectorants: Sudocrem or Drapolene

Question 7

Advice for nappy rash

Answer 7

• Do not wipe but dab the area when cleansing to avoid irritation
• Signs of secondary fungal infection (raised or vesicles)= may need imidazoles (clotrimazole)
• Change nappies regularly

Question 8

Treatment for oral thrush

Answer 8

• Miconazole gel

Question 9

Advice for oral thrush

Answer 9

• Take care of your teeth
• Sterilise bottles and dummies
• Brush your gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush
• Rinse mouth after eating or taking medicines

Question 10

Treatment for fever

Answer 10

• Paracetamol (calpol) and ibuprofen (nurofen): can switch to other if they are seeming ineffective or can alternate between the two
• Ibuprofen often interacts with other drugs, opt for paracet instead if they are currently taking meds

Question 11

Patient advice for fever

Answer 11

• Tepid sponging for reducing fever (towel on head like in kdrama)
• Drinking additional fluids to prevent dehydration (fever will make them sweat more than usual)

Question 12

Treatment for colic

Answer 12

• Simeticone (infacol- relief of gripping pains + air)
• Dentinox infant colic drops- (same as infacol)
• Care Co-Lactase Infant drops: Reduce lactose content in milk
• Gripe water

Question 13

Patient advice for colic

Answer 13

• Soothing baby techniques e.g gently rocking over shoulder and rub back
• Sit or hold baby upright during feeding to stop swallowing air
• Changes to diet if breastfeeding
• Applying gentle pressure to baby’s spine or skull
• Switch to low-lactose milk formulas

Question 14

Treatment for chicken pox

Answer 14

• Paracetamol (calpol) to help with pain + discomfort
• Chickenpox relief cooling gel
• Topical calamine cream/lotion: to relieve itch
• Antihistamines (piriton) to help itching
  (AVOID IBUPROFEN)

Question 15

Patient advice for chicken pox

Answer 15

• Varicella-zoster vaccine is available (prevent re-occurrence)
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Cut child’s fingernails=stop scratching
• Cool water bath and pat skin dry
• Stay away from school, nursery or work until spots have formed a scab

Question 16

Treatment for teething

Answer 16

• Tons of teething gels: bonjela (not licensed for children under 5 months) and dentinox teething gel
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen to help relieve teething symptoms + fever

Question 17

Patient advice for teething

Answer 17

• Teething rings can be cooled to help soothe gums
• Chew on soft fruit to relieve gums (only if 6 months+)
• Gently rubbing gums
• Playing with child to distract them