Pre Exam Gap Buster Flashcards
Which inflammatory marker is absent in Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy?
Rheumatoid Factor
Name a Life-Threatening Exacerbation of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Felty’s Syndrome
How is the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis monitored?
Through ESR and CRP
What is the pathophysiology of a Sub-Dural Haemorrhage?
Trauma/Deceleration causes shearing of the dural venous sinuses.
Why must you wait 12 hours after a SAH to perform a lumbar puncture?
Xanthochromia is most likely to be observed at this point.
What results would you see on lumbar puncture is Gullain Barre Syndrome?
Normal WCC and Raised Protein
What must always be monitored in patients with Gullain Barre?
Respiratory Rate - These patients are at high risk of respiratory distress. (Forced Expiratory Volume)
What is the treatment for an acute migraine attack?
Oral/Nasal Triptan, NSAIDs (Aspirin 900mg).
What is the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease?
There is a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia nigra which impairs the Nigrostriatal pathway leading to problems initiating movement.
What is the main drawback of the standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease?
Levodopa loses its effectiveness over time.
What is used to decolourise and counterstain in a gram stain after crystal violet and iodine have been applied?
Acetate is used to decolourise and Safranin is used to counterstain.
What is the mechanism of action for trimethoprim?
These are folate inhibitors.
How long are the Tuberculosis antibiotics given for?
Rifampicin - 6 months
Isoniazid - 6 months
Pyrazinamide - 2 months
Ethambutol - 2 months
Why does meningitis present with a non-blanching petechial rash?
Due to DIC
What is the long-term side effect of Chemotherapy?
Tumour Lysis Syndrome
Why can iron studies be unreliable?
Ferritin is an acute-phase protein which also increases in times of inflammation.
What does ferrous sulphate do?
Turns stools black
Name a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.
Imatinib
What is the inheritance pattern of Haemophilia A & B
X-Linked Recessive
Why is Desmopressin given in haemophiliacs
It releases factor 8 which is trapped in the endothelium.
What can happen if the treatment of CML is not successful?
It can progress to AML
What is the Tensilon Test?
IV Endrophonium bromide (Anticholinesterase) - Acetylcholine in the synapse increases leading to transient improvement in weakness (Myasthenia Gravis)
What is the target INR for Atrial Fibrillation?
2-3
What is the Scoring System used in AF (Anticoagulation)?
CHA2DS2-VASC
Congestive Heart Disease - 1
Hypertension - 1
Age > 75 - 2
Diabetes Mellitus - 1
Stroke/TIA/Thrombo-embolus - 2
Vascular Disease - 1
Age 65-75 - 1
Sex Category (Female) - 1
Acute Pancreatitis - What is the name for bruising around the belly button?
Cullen’s Sign
What treatments are patients with heart failure started on to slow progression?
ACE inhibitors & Beta Blockers
What are the ECG changes associated with Acute Pericarditis?
Concave ST-Elevation in all leads + PR depression.
What is Beck’s Triad
Triad of Cardiac Tamponade
Low Blood Pressure
Distended Jugular Veins
Muffled Heart Sounds
What is seen Histologically in Parkinsons’ disease?
Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, presence of Lewy bodies.
What is the single greatest risk factor for developing atherosclerosis?
HYPERTENSION
Where are MHC-1 Proteins Found?
On all nucleated cells.
What is the treatment for SIADH?
Tolvaptan - ADH receptor antagonist.
What is the treatment for severe hypocalcemia?
IV Calcium Gluconate
What is a prominent side effect of calcium channel blockers?
Ankle Swelling
Why is Verapamil contraindicated in Heart Failure?
It has negatively inotropic effects
Which coronary artery infarction would cause 3rd Degree heart block?
AVN is supplied by RCA in 90% of hearts so an infarct in this region is likely to cause bradycardia and 3rd Degree heart block.
What part of the GI tract is most likely to perforate due to obstruction?
Caecum
What part of the GI tract is most often affected by Crohn’s Disease?
Ileum
What is the most common causative organism in Ascending Cholangitis?
E.Coli
What are Kayser-Fleischer rings?
Dark rings which encircle the cornea of the eye due to deposition of copper in Wilson’s Disease.
What is the 1st line treatment for Reactive Arthritis?
NSAIDs
How can Osteomalacia be differentiated from Osteoporosis/penia?
In Osteomalacia there are abnormal blood test findings.
Give a side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors
Increased risk of Candida + UTI.
What is the most common cause of Guillan Barre syndrome?
Campylobacter infection.
Would acidosis or alkalosis be seen in an Asthma Attack?
Alkalosis due to hyperventilation.
What are the constituents of Co-Amoxiclav?
Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid (Beta Lactamase inhibitor which increases the spectrum).
How do you manage acute AF in an unstable or recently presenting patient?
DC Cardioversion + Amiodarone if unsuccessful (Unstable) / Flecainide (Stable
What is the anion gap?
Estimates unmeasured plasma anions. It is the difference between plasma cations (Na+, K+) and anions (Cl-, HCO3-). It is helpful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
What causes of metabolic acidosis also increase the anion gap?
Lactic Acid (Shock, Infection, Ischemia)
Renal Failure
Diabetic Ketoacidosissis
Drugs/Toxins
Blood Film Finding: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Blast Cells
What differentiates Acute Myeloid Leukemia from ALL?
Auer Rods on BM biopsy - Crystalline Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies.
Characteristic Finding for CML?
Philadelphia Chromosome t(9;22)
Blood Film Finding: Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Smudge Cells - cells damaged in preparation
What are the Characteristic cells in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Reed-Sternberg Cells
Blood Film Finding: Multiple Myeloma
Rouleaux Formation
What are Heinz Bodies and when are they seen?
Structures formed due to the breakdown of haemoglobin in cells. Due to oxidative damage from toxins, or due to thalassemia and G6PD deficiency.
What is CREST Syndrome?
Limited Scleroderma:
Calcinosis
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Oesophagal Dysfunction
Sclerodactyly
Telangiectasias - dilatation of capillaries leading to red marks on the skin surface.
What is Phaeochromocytoma?
Catecholamine-secreting tumours are usually chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla.
What are the symptoms of Phaeochromocytoma?
Episodic headaches, sweating, tachycardia, Anxiety, Chest pain.
Blood Pressure may or may not increase.
Testing/Treatment of Phaeochromocytoma
Test - 24hr Urine Metanephrines & Abdominal CT.
Treat - Alpha Blockade before surgery, Beta Blockers.
Which T2DM treatments can cause hypoglycemia?
Pioglitazone (increases insulin sensitivity).
Sulfonylurea (increases insulin secretion).
What is the characteristic sign of extravascular haemolytic anaemia?
Splenomegaly
By what mechanisms can Microangiopathic Haemolytic anaemia occur?
DIC & Prosthetic Valves
Name an infective cause of Haemolytic Anaemia.
Malaria P.Falciparum
What is the clinical presentation of Beta Thalassemia Major?
Presentation within the first year of life with a failure to thrive.
What is the treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenia?
Steroids (Prednisolone)
What Hepatobiliary Condition is Sjorgens Syndrome most associated with?
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Which Blood Marker is Markedly Raised in Paget’s Disease of Bone?
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
Name three TNF-alpha Inhibitors.
Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab.
What hormone is elevated in testicular cancer?
HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
What is the treatment for UC?
Mesalazine
Outline the stepwise treatment pathway for asthma.
Initially: SABA
2: SABA + ICS (low dose)
3: SABA + ICS + LTRA
4: SABA + LABA + ICS + LTRA
5 - Refer for Specialist Input
Name a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist
Montelukast
Which UTI antibiotic is teratogenic in the first trimester?
Trimethoprim
In which inflammatory bowel disease are skip lesions seen?
Crohn’s Disease
What is Shober’s Test
A test used to diagnose the restriction of lumbar spine flexion, it is particularly useful in ankylosing spondylitis. A line is drawn with the patient standing upright than bent forwards to assess the degree of flexion.
Name a Triptan
Sumatriptan
Which adrenergic receptor is responsible for smooth muscle relaxation?
Beta-Adrenergic
What scoring system is used to assess a patient’s risk of stroke in the next 7 days?
ABCD2 Score:
Age >60 - 1
Blood Pressure (High) - 1
Clinical Features of TIA - 2 if weak + dysphasic.
Duration - >1hr = 2 , <1hr = 1
Diabetes - 1
>=4 High risks of stroke, >=6 35.5% in 7 days.
Patients who have had a TIA must receive Aspirin 300mg.
Treatment for Acute Severe Asthma
5mg Salbutamol nebulised with oxygen.
PO Prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone.
If PEF remains <75% Repeat prednisolone then give ipratropium.
Test for Hepatitis A
Rise in AST/ALT, IgM signifies recent infection, IgG is present for life.
What does HBsAg ALONE imply
Vaccination, if within 30 days of HepB vaccination.
HBsAg is the antigen used in the HepB vaccine.
What might prompt a HIV test?
A patient with an unexpected condition with no clear underlying cause or recurring infection.
What is the most common AIDs opportunistic infection?
Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Microbiology: Types of Haemolysis
Alpha (Partial Green) Haemolysis:
Strep. Viridans + Strep. Pneumonia (Optochin Sensitive).
Beta Haemolysis (Complete Clearance):
Lancefield Test - A (Pyogenes), B (Agalacticae)
Gamma Haemolysis:
Streptococcus Bovis
What is the first-line antibiotic for Streptococcus Pneumoniae?
Amoxicillin
What is the CURB65 Score?
The score used to make a decision on where to treat a patient with Pneumonia:
Confusion - 1
Urea > 7 - 1
Resp Rate > 30 - 1
Blood Pressure <90Sys <60Dias
0 - Treat at Home.
1, 2 - Consider Hospital Treatment.
3, 4 - ITU treatment.
First-line antibiotic for Staph. Aureus
Flucloxacillin - Ciprofloxacin
What antibiotic is given for atypical pneumonia?
Erythromycin
Treatment for Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Co-Trimoxazole + Prednisolone
Treatment for Pseudomonas Auriginosa
Piperacillin
Why is IV dexamethasone given sometimes in meningitis?
To protect Neurological function.
What drug is given for Meningitis prophylaxis?
Oral Ciprofloxacin Meningitis prophylaxis.
What is Charcoal Cefazolin Sodium Deoxycholate Agar used for?
Growing Campylobacter
What five antibiotics can cause C.Diff and which antibiotic can be given to treat it?
Co-Amoxiclav, Clarithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin, Cephalosporins.
Vancomycin can be used to treat.
AKI Criteria
Rise in Creatinine - >26 umol/L within 48 hours.
Rise in Creatinine - >1.5 x Baseline within 7 Days
Urine Output - <0.5mL/Kg/h for >6 consecutive hours.
What are Transudative Pleural Effusions?
Caused by factors which alter hydrostatic pressure, pleural permeability and oncotic pressure. HF, Liver Cirrhosis, Hypoalbuminemia. <30g/L
What are Exudative Pleural Effusions?
Changes to the Local Factors which influence the formation and absorption of pleural fluid.
Malignancy, Infection, Trauma. >30g/L
What does purulent sputum suggest?
Empyema
What are Light’s Criteria?
Light’s criteria are more accurate for the diagnosis of exudative effusions.
The fluid is considered an exudate if any of the following are present:
The ratio of pleural fluid to serum protein is greater than 0.5
The ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH is greater than 0.6
The pleural fluid LDH value is greater than two-thirds of the upper limit of the normal serum value