Pathology

Question 1

What are the 4 Hs with regards to reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

Answer 1

Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Hypo/hyperkalaemia
Hypothermia

Question 2

What are the 4 Ts with regards to reversible causes of cardiac arrest?

Answer 2

Thrombosis - Coronary or pulmonary
Tamponade (fluid around the heart which stops it pumping)
Toxins
Tension Pneumothorax

Question 3

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of hypoxia

Answer 3

Non-sus - Asthma
Pneumothorax
Respiratory obstruction – epiglottis, choking
Respiratory depression – drug-related, overdose
Aspiration

Sus - Respiratory obstruction
Drug-related – overdose, negligence, poisoning
Drowning

Question 4

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of hypovolaemia

Answer 4

Non-Sus - Upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage
Haemoperitoneum– liver, spleen laceration
Trauma

Sus - Trauma
Stabbings
Shootings

Question 5

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Hypo-/Hyperkalaemia

Answer 5

Non-sus - Diabetic ketoacidosis
Alcoholic ketoacidosis
Toxins (meds)

Sus - Toxins (poisonings)

Question 6

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Hypothermia

Answer 6

Non-sus - Exposure to cold
Alcoholic
Drugs
Underlying medical disease

Sus - Exposure to cold
Water
Neglect
Forced out side

Question 7

What are Wischnewski ulcers?

Answer 7

They are spots on stomach, seen in traumatic deaths. Often associated with hypothermia if present with +ve history

Question 8

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Thrombosis, Coronary or Pulmonary

Answer 8

Non-sus - Coronary artery thrombosis usually on atherosclerosis
Pulmonary venous thromboembolism
Embolism from deep vein thrombosis
Paradoxical emboli

Sus - Contribution
Deaths in custody
One punch
“Scared to death”

Question 9

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Cardiac tamponade

Answer 9

Non-sus - After myocardial infarction
Pericarditis
Tuberculosis Iatrogenic
Aortic dissection
Trauma
Neoplasm

Sus - Secondary to injury blunt or sharp force trauma

Question 10

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Toxins

Answer 10

Non-sus - Overdose
Negligence
Accidental

Sus - Third-party involvement - poisoning
Negligence

Question 11

Give some examples of suspicious and non-suspicious causes of Tension pneumothorax

Answer 11

Non-sus - Chronic lung diseases
Spontaneous
Trauma

Sus - Secondary to trauma