PSA Flashcards
What is the first line treatment for dyspepsia?
1) For immediate relief
2) For prophylaxis / long term prevention
1) Magnesium carbonate (antacid)
2) Omeprazole (PPI)
Give two causes of dyspepsia
Corticosteroids
NSAIDs
CCB
BBs
What is the first line treatment for croup?
Dexamethasone PO
Nebulised adrenaline if severe
What is the first line treatment for depression or generalised anxiety?
SSRI e.g. sertraline or citalopram
Give two common side effects of SSRIs
Anxiety
Dry mouth
Sexual dysfunction
GI (constipation / diarrhoea)
What is the treatment for Otitis Media?
Analgesia - Paracetamol or ibuprofen
Antibiotics - Amoxicillin 7d PO (Clarithromicin if allergic)
What is the treatment for overactive bladder?
Oxybutynin Hydrochloride
Be careful! Anticholinergics are contraindicated in patients with myaesthenia gravis.
What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine sodium
Take 30 mins before breakfast/caffeine/other meds
Monitor TSH every 2-3 months then annually once stable.
What is the treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Carbimazole
Be careful! Carbimazole can cause bone marrow suppression (neutropenia/agranulocytosis). Stop if any signs of neutropenia.
What is the first line treatment for acute asthma?
1) Salbutamol inhaled high dose
2) Salbutamol nebulised
3) Oral prednisolone (+ normal ICS)
4) Neb ipratropiumbromide
5) Magnesium sulphate IV
6) Aminophylline IV
What is the treatment for unstable angina?
[MONA]
Morphine
Oxygen
Nitrates - GTN
Antiplatelets - Aspirin + Clopidogrel
What is the treatment for chronic asthma?
SABA inhaled
ICS (if SABA needed >3x/wk)
If ICS not enough + LTRA e.g. montelukast
Or MART (ICS + LABA)
What is the treatment for COPD chronic and exacerbation?
Chronic:
1) SABA
2) LABA
3) ICS
4) If cannot inhale then Modified Release Theophylline
5) Azithromycin prophylaxis for infection
Exacerbations:
1) SABA nebulised
2) Oral prednisolone
3) Oxygen
What is the treatment for shingles?
Aciclovir PO 7d.
What is the treatment for anaphylaxis?
500 ug adrenaline (0.5ml) 1:1000
(repeat every 5 mins)
Chlorphenamine IV 10mg
Hydrocortisone IV 200mg
What is the treatment for osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates e.g. alendronic acid
How do you take bisphosphonates?
Before breakfast
Tall drink of water
Sit upright for 30 mins after
What is the treatment for hypercholesterolaemia?
Statin e.g. Simvastatin
When should statins be taken?
Once nightly
What is a serious adverse effect of bisphosphonates?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw
What should patients be advised to report when taking statins?
Any unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
What food should patient’s on statins avoid?
Grapefruit juice
What is the treatmentfor bipolar disorder?
Lithium carbonate
Sodium valproate is an alternative if Lithium is contraindicated
How is lithium monitored?
Routine serum-lithium monitoring should be performed weekly after initiation and after each dose change until concentrations are stable, then every 3 months for the first year, and every 6 months thereafter. Samples taken 12 hours after the dose.
What is the first line treatment for migraine?
Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Sumatriptan [All are first lines]
NB: Seizure risk, risk of coronary artery disease, controlled hypertension and elderly are all contraindications for sumatriptans.
What drug is contraindicated in patients with migraine with aura and why?
COCP
Increases risk of stroke.
True or false, lithium dose depends on weight?
True. <50kg or >50kg
What is the first-line treatment for BPH?
Tamsulosin Hydrochloride
Micturition syncope and postural hypotension are contraindications.
What do you give for DVT/PE thromboprophylaxis in a surgical/hospital setting?
LMWH e.g. dalteparin
Then post discharge DOAC e.g. apixaban
When is unfractionated heparin preferred to LMWH?
Renal impairment
Mechanical heart valve
What do you give for DVT/PE thromboprophylaxis in a primary care setting?
Apixaban (DOAC) or LMWH
True or false, warfarin is safe in pregnancy?
False. Its teratogenic
LMWH is the choice in pregnancy.
How often should you monitor INR when on warfarin?
Daily early on then every 12 weeks once stable.
Patient is given a treatment booklet and alert card.
True or false, metformin is contraindicated in renal impairment?
True. If eGFR is less than 30. Risk of lactic acidosis.
Sulfonylurea is preferred.
True or false, metformin induces weight loss?
True.
What is the treatment for acute gout?
Ibuprofen or Colchicine
Remember to give a PPI with Ibuprofen!
What is the treatment for chronic gout?
Allopurinol
What is a very common side effect of allopurinol?
Rash
What is the treatment for erectile dysfunction?
Sildenafil (oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor)
Take 1 hour before. Onset may be delayed if taken with food.
What is the first line treatment for alcohol dependence?
Acamprosate Calcium
Naltrexone
Disulfiram
If suspected Wernicke’s then Thiamine!
What is the first line treatment for delirium tremens?
Oral lorazepam
What is the first line treatment for nausea?
Cyclizine or Ondansetron
What is the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine
What advice would you give someone taking carbamazepine?
Seek immediate help if bleeding, bruising, mouth sores.
How do you monitor carbamazepine?
Plasma concentrations after 1-2 weeks
NB: Thai or Han chinese risk of HLA-B 1502 allele –> stevens johnson syndrome
True or false COCP is contraindicated in people who are over 35 and smoke?
True. >15 cigarettes/day.
What is the first line treatment for Crohn’s disease?
Methotrexate
How often is methotrexate taken?
Once weekly
True or false, methotrexate is contraindicated in active infection.
True.
What patient advice would you give to a patient starting on methotrexate?
Seek immediate help if you experience a sore throat or bruising.
What is the first line treatment for focal seizures?
Carbamazepine / Lamotrigine
What is the first line treatment for generalised seizures?
Sodium valproate / Lamotrigine
How long must you not drive for following a seizure?
1 year
True or false, it is acceptable to write Tazocin on a prescription?
False. Its a brand name.
Piperacillin with tazobactam is preferred.
What is the first line treatment for cluster headaches?
Sumatriptan SC injection
100% oxygen
Name 2 drugs to stop prior to surgery?
[I LACK OA]
Insulin Lithium Antiplatelets COCP/HRT K-sparing diuretics Oral hypoglycemics e.g. metformin ACEi
What is the maximum dose of paracetamol per day?
4g / day
What is the WHO opiate ladder?
NSAID / Paracetamol
Weak Opiate: Codeine, Tramadol
Strong Opiate: Morphine, Oxycodone
True or false, Tazocin is safe for patients with penicillin allergies?
False
True or false, ACEi can cause hyperkalaemia?
True.
What is the treatment for H. pylori?
Triple therapy [PAM]
- PPI
- Amoxicillin
- Metronidazole
What is the treatment for allergic rash (not anaphylaxis)?
Chlorphenamine (PO)
How often do you give adrenaline in anaphylaxis?
Every 3-5 minutes
IV 1mg
[Amiodarone also given IV 300mg if shockable]
What is the first line treatment for acne?
Benzoyl peroxide (Topical)
Topical Erythromycin/Clindamycin (2nd line) Tetracycline PO (3rd line)
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride PO QDS
What is the first line treatment for constipation?
Lactulose 15ml BD PO (osmotic)
What is a first line treatment for nausea?
Cyclizine or Ondansetron
Name two drugs you should stop perioperatively
Lithium Antiplatelets COCP/HRT K-sparing diuretics Oral Hypoglycemics e.g. metformin ACEi
Give two side effects of steroids.
Stomach ulcers Thin skin Oedema Osteoporosis Infection Diabetes Cushing's
Give two contraindications for NSAIDs
Renal failure Heart failure Asthma Indigestion Dyscrasia (clotting abnormality)
True or false, spironolactone can cause gynecomastia?
True
Switch to eplerenone if this is the case
What is the maximum infusion rate for IV potassium?
10 mmol/hr
Give two side effects of calcium channel blockers
Flushing
Peripheral oedema
True or false, metoclopramide makes parkinson’s worse?
True
What are normal replacement fluids?
0.9% saline 500ml bolus (STAT)
[If heart failure then 250ml]
If a patient is hypernatraemic or hypoglycemic what replacement fluids would you prescribe?
5% Dextrose (not 0.9% saline!)
If a patient has ascites, would you prescribe 0.9% saline?
No. Human Albumin Solution (HAS)
What level of urine output is oliguric?
<30 ml/hr
What is the rate of maintenance fluids for a healthy adult and an elderly adult?
Healthy: 3L/day (8hrly)
Elderly: 2L/day (12hrly)
True or false, bendroflumethiazide causes hypokalaemia?
True
If a patient is septic, methotrexate should be stopped, true or false?
True
True or false, metformin is contraindicated in renal failure?
True. Metformin is excreted via the kidneys
True or false, beta blockers are contraindicated in asthma?
True
What route is insulin almost always given?
SC
[Sliding scales are IV]
If a patient’s TSH is 0.2, should their levothyroxine dose change?
Yes. It should be decreased.
<0.5 - Decrease dose
0.5 - 5 - Keep the same
>5 - Increase dose
When is a paracetamol normogram sampled?
4 hours after intake
True or false, carbamazepine can cause hyponatremia?
True
How do you adjust warfarin if INR is above range?
> 8 with bleeding = IV Phytomenadione (Vit K) + Stop
8 no bleeding = Oral Vit K + Stop
5 with bleeding = IV Phytomenadione + Stop
5 no bleeding = Withhold 1-2 warfarin doses and reduce subsequent maintenance doses.
What is the treatment for heart failure?
[DAB]
Diuretic: Furosemide (Loop diuretic)
ACEi
BB
What is the treatment for AF?
Haemodynamically stable:
Rate: Atenolol / Diltiazem / Verapamil
Rhythm: Amiodarone / Flecanide
NB: Rhythm control has to be within the first 48 hours or there is a risk of stroke due to clots being released. Rate control is safe even after 48 hours.
What is the treatment for bacterial meningitis in primary care and secondary care?
Primary: Benzylpenicillin IM
Secondary: Cefotaxime IM / IV
What is the first line treatment for PE?
LMWH e.g. Tinzaparin
What is the first line treatment for a seizure?
Lorazepam IV
Diazepam Rectal
Midazolam Buccal
What is the treatment for DKA?
1 L NaCL 0.9% over 1 hour then over 2hr then 4hr then 8hr. K+ supplementation. Fixed insulin. When BM <14 add dextrose.
What is the first line treatment for parkinson’s disease?
Levodopa + Carbidopa
[Effective for around 2-5 years].
What should be checked when commencing someone on Azathioprine?
TPMT activity
What is the first line treatment for mild and severe Alzheimer’s?
Mild: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine)
Severe: NMDA antagonist e.g. Memantine
What is the first line treatment for cellulitis?
Flucloxacillin or clarithromycin (if pen allergic)
True or false, cyclizine can have antimuscarinic side effects?
True
Dry mouth / Constipation / Blurred vision / Urinary retention
What is the first line for pain relief in a STEMI?
GTN spray or tablet
What is a 1% solution?
1g in 100ml
True or false, Ramipril is safe in pregnancy?
False. It is teratogenic.
What should patient’s be advised when taking tamoxifen?
Risk of VTE and risk of endometrial cancer
What should patients taking sulfonylureas be warned about?
Don’t skip meals. Risk of hypoglycemia.
What do you monitor in a patient taking methotrexate?
FBC 1-2 weekly.
Check for neutropenia
True or false, citalopram makes you photosensitive?
True.
What should patients taking steroids for more than 3 months be given?
Bisphosphonates
True or false, food should be avoided for 2 hours after taking bisphosphonates as it reduces absorption?
True
What is it important to check when prescribing statins?
Liver function as they are metabolised by the liver
What is it important to check when prescribing vancomycin?
Renal function. It is renally excreted.
How often is Lithium checked?
Weekly until stable, then every 3 months afterwards.
What should be checked when prescribing Olanzapine?
Fasting blood glucose. It can cause hyperglycemia
What should you check when prescribing COCP?
Blood pressure / Pregnancy status / Active cancer / VTE risk
What must you check before prescribing digoxin?
Renal function. It is renally excreted.
What should be monitored when prescribing clozapine?
FBC due to risk of neutropenia.
What should you check before prescribing sodium valproate?
Pregnant/risk of pregnancy
LFTs (hepatotoxic)
What should you check before commencing someone on ACEi?
Renal function
True or false, methotrexate and trimethoprim can be combined safely?
False. Bone marrow suppression.
True or false, amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis?
True
True or false, erythromycin can increase INR?
True
Do steroids cause hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia?
Hyperglycemia
True or false, bendroflumethiazide makes gout worse?
True
True or false, COCP is contraindicated in patients with migraine + aura?
True
By what increment should levothyroxine be adjusted?
Minimum adjustments, typically 25-50 ug
True or false, carbamazepine can cause SIADH?
True
If a patient has renal impairmentand cannot have metformin, what is the first line hypoglycemic?
Sulfonylurea e.g. Gliclazide
What level of venturi should be first line in COPD?
Venturi 24%
How often do patients on methotrexate require blood tests?
Every 3-4 weeks
When should you not give lactulose?
If bloating (contraindication)
When should you not give a stimulant laxative?
If colitis or cramps
Why would you not prescribe a bulking agent for fast relief?
They take a long time to to work
What is the key variable to measure in DKA?
Ketone level
What is the normal level of vancomycin?
Trough level of 10-15 mg/L
No change to meds if in this range
At what time should you not rescribe thiazide diuretics?
Don’t prescribe them at nightor patient’s will be needing to go to the toilet during the night
What is the first line treatment for diarrhoea?
Loperamide
What is the key side effect of ferrous sulfate?
Constipation
What is the threshold for blood transfusion?
<70g/L
[<100g/L if pre-surgical]
How is ferrous sulfate given?
Orally until levels normalise and then for another 3 months after
What is an alternative antibiotic to use if a patient with pneumonia is allergic to penicillin/amoxicillin?
Doxycycline
What is the first line for a UC flare up?
IV Hydrocortisone if severe
Oral prednisolone if mild
In fast AF, what would you give if patient cant have BB?
Digoxin
What is the first line for reversal of heparin?
Protamine
How do you reverse hypoglycemia in a conscious patient?
15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate. This is available in approximately 3–4 heaped teaspoonfuls of sugar dissolved in water, 4–7 glucose tablets, or 150–200 mL of pure fruit juice.
What is the max dose of citalopram in over 65s?
20mg
What must you monitor when giving IV phenytoin?
ECG as it is associated with cardiac arrhythmias
True or false, thrombolysis is never indicated in DVT?
True
What is the treatment for epiglotitis?
Cefotaxime
What is the treatment for acute and chronic anal fissures?
Acute (<6weeks):
- Bulk forming laxative (isphagula)
- Paracetamol/ibuprofen
- Topical lidocaine
Chronic (>6weeks):
- GTN rectal ointment
What route of furosemide is most appropriate in acute pulmonary oedema?
IV not oral
True or false, Rivaraoxaban is an acceptable form of VTE prophylaxis?
True
What volume/rate is glucose given for hypoglycemia?
Glucose 10% 100-200ml over 20mins
Glucose 20% 50-100ml over 20 mins
When treating DKA, what do you change about a patient’s short acting and long acting current treatments?
Stop short acting e.g. Humulin
Continue long acting e.g. Glargine
Add fixed rate insulin
True or false, Tramadol can induce serotonin syndrome?
True
How can you monitor the treatment of congestive heart failure?
Weight loss (immediately due to reduced oedema)
What is the advantage of oxycodone?
Useful if renal impairment
True or false, beta blockers are contraindicated in peripheral vascular disease?
True
Give a drug that can exacerbate heart failure
Steroids
CCBs
Why should you not stop long-term steroids e.g. prednisolone suddenly?
Risk of adrenal suppression
If glucose control is poor in the evening, how do you correct a patient’s insulin regime?
Increase morning biphasic dose.
Long-term changes are better than short term soluble insulin changes.
What should you monitor if you start a patient on a potassium sparing diuretic e.g. eplerenone?
Potassium levels after 1 week
What must you check prior to starting someone on amiodarone?
Serum potassium levels
True or false, no routine blood monitoring is required for SSRIs?
True
At what level of CK would you stop a statin?
> 5x normal upper limit
Stop and restart at lower dose when symptoms resolve