Palliative care Flashcards
1
Q
what are the red flag symptoms of head and neck cancers
A
sore throat hoarseness stridor dysphagia lump in neck unilateral ear pain
2
Q
what are the majority of head and neck cancers
A
squamous
3
Q
what are the features of HPV cancer
A
younger, different presentation- small tumour, big nodes
HPV sexual transmission
better prognosis
4
Q
what are adjuvant analgesics
A
painkillers who are primarily not for pain relief
anticonvulsants- gabapentin, pregabalin
anti-depressants- amitriptyline
5
Q
what are the side effects of muscarinic drugs (amitripoline)
A
dry mouth, dizzy spells
6
Q
when should you use transdermal patches
A
in stable pain as creates a deposit under the skin
7
Q
when can larger doses of analgesics for rapid sedation be justified
A
in acute airway obstruction of major haemorrhage
