PATH - General Flashcards
Epistaxis
Nose bleed
Most commonly occurs in anterior segment of nostril (Kiesselbach plexus).
Life-threatening
hemorrhages occur in posterior segment (*sphenopalatine artery, a branch of maxillary
artery).
Deep venous thrombosis
Blood clot within a deep vein–>swelling, redness, warmth, pain
Virchow triad (SHE):
- Stasis
- Hypercoagulability
- Endothelial damage
+Homan sign
d-dimer lab test used clinically to rule out DVT
Imaging test of choice is compression
ultrasound
Pulmonary emboli
V˙/Q˙ mismatch–>hypoxemia–>respiratory alkalosis
Sudden-onset dyspnea, chest pain, tachypnea, tachycardia
Types: Fat, Air, Thrombus, Bacteria, Amniotic fluid, Tumor
An embolus moves like a “FAT BAT”
CT pulmonary angiography is imaging test of choice for PE
Fat emboli
associated with *long bone fractures and *liposuction
classic triad of hypoxemia,
neurologic abnormalities, petechial rash
Amniotic fluid emboli
can lead to DIC, especially postpartum.
Air emboli
nitrogen bubbles precipitate
in ascending divers (caisson disease, decompression sickness)
can be iatrogenic 2° to invasive procedures (eg, central line placement)
treat with hyperbaric O2
Pleural effusions
Excess accumulation of fluid between pleural layers–>restricted lung expansion during inspiration
Can be treated with *thoracentesis to remove fluid
Transudate Pleural Effusion
*DEC protein content.
Due to INC hydrostatic pressure (eg, HF) or DEC oncotic pressure (eg, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis).
Exudate Pleural Effusion
*INC protein content, cloudy.
Due to malignancy, pneumonia, collagen vascular disease, trauma
Must be drained due to risk of infection.
Lymphatic Pleural Effusion
INC triglycerides
Due to thoracic duct injury from trauma or malignancy.
*Milky appearing fluid
Also known as chylothorax.
Pneumothorax
Accumulation of air in pleural space
Unilateral chest pain and dyspnea, unilateral chest
expansion, DEC tactile fremitus, hyperresonance, diminished breath sounds, all on the affected side.
