Questions I got wrong on BoardVitals Flashcards
How do you treat a regular, wide QRS tachycardia?
Synchronized cardioversion (with sedation if time permits)
Signs of Digoxin toxicity in the elderly
Anorexia, nausea, confusion
Bradycardia and arrhythmias are also common
In patient’s with acute decompensated heart failure that have previously been prescribed beta-blockers, ACE-I, ASA and antiarrhythmics, which medication should be stopped?
The antiarrythmic should be stopped given increase for mortality.
If beta-blockers were already being prescribed, they should not be stopped. You should not start a new beta-blocker however.
ACE-I are helpful to prevent remodeling and maintain appropriate blood pressure so that should not be stopped.
ASA should be continued in heart failure given concern for PE.
Treatment of new DVT - What is the measuring tool and what medications would you start
Wells Score
Active Cancer Treatment: +1 point
Calf swelling >3cm: +1 point
Swollen unilateral superficial veins: +1 point
Unilateral pitting edema: +1 point
Previous documented DVT: +1 point
Swelling of entire leg: +1 point
Localized tenderness along the deep vein system: + 1 point
Paralysis, paresis, or recent cast immobilization: +1 point
Recent bedridden ?3 days, major surgery: +1 point
Alternative diagnosis at least as likely: -2 pts
Greater than 2 points is considered high risk for DVT
Treat with Low Molecular Weight Heparin (Enoxaparin) or Unfractionated Heparin if GFR <40.
Doxycycline is most commonly used to treat
Tick-borne illnesses and pneumonia
Treatment of Bell’s Palsy
Corticosteroids
If concern for HSV/Varicella associated with Bell’s Palsy, can give antiretrovirals however should give Corticosteroids in addition to the antiretrovirals.
What is a prescription strength medication used in the treatment of motion sickness?
Scopolamine Patch
Should be changed every 3 days
Presentation and biggest risk factor for macular degeneration
Age is the biggest risk for for macular degeneration (over 60).
Presentation includes gradually progressive worsening of central vision, often that is worse at night, causing difficulty with reading and recognizing faces.
Fundoscopic exam reveals drusen (yellowish colored subretinal deposits in the macula)
What is the first line treatment for erectile dysfuction
5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Which malignancy is the most common cause of cardiac tamponade?
Lung carcinoma accounts for 40% of malignant pericardial effusions.
Triad of symptoms consistent with rhabdomyolysis and important electrolytes/labs to consider
muscle pain
weakness
dark urine
Should check K, often pt presents with hyperkalemia and elevated CK (5x upper limit of normal)
What qualifies as significant unintentional weight loss that warrants further assessment and evaluation?
5% reduction in 6-12 months
New York Heart Association functional class of heart failure
Class I - diagnosis of heart disease with no symptoms or limitations
Class II - Slight symptoms with exertion but not all the time. No symptoms at rest.
Class III - Marked decrease in ability to perform tasks due to symptoms but no symptoms at rest
Class IV - Symptoms at rest
First line treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis
Amoxicillin Clavulanate (Augmentin)
What medication is commonly associated with esophageal irritation?
Potassium Chloride, tetracyclines and NSAIDs
Indications for surgical repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm
Surgical repair is indicated for all symptomatic or ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms.
For asymptomatic patients:
Aneurysm larger than 5.5cm
Aneurysm that grows more than 5mm in one year
What is acute chest syndrome and how is treated?
Acute chest syndrome occurs in sickle cell disease.
It is often precipitated by infection and has lung findings that can present similarly to PNA
Acute chest syndrome is treated with IVF, adequate pain control, blood products to maintain Hgb >10 and empiric antibx
Percent total body surface area
Rule of 9’s
Head and Neck - 9%
Each arm - 9%
Each leg - 18%
Posterior trunk - 18%
Anterior trunk - 18%
Perineum - 1%
Symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning
Dizziness, lightheadedness
LOC
dull headache
Shortness of breath
Nausea, vomiting
What should you do for a patient on mechanical ventilation that begins to become agitated and experiences sudden drop in SaO2?
-Disconnect from ventilator and begin manual ventilation using an AMBU bag.
-If this is unsuccessful, assess for mucous plug causing desaturation and suction the patient
-If no improvement, conduct thorough physical exam and consider ABG, CXR, EKG.
-CT PE should be considered if suspicion for pulmonary embolism
Identify the clinical manifestations of acute reactive arthritis (Reiter’s syndrome)
Arthritis, conjunctivitis and sterile urethritis is suggestive of acute reactive arthritis
Make sure to also rule out disseminated gonoccocal infection
A patient presents with exertional chest pain without SOB and stable VS. EKG shows flat ST segments. What is the diagnosis?
Unstable angina
Treatment of fever of unknown origin
Fever of unknown origin is a temp greater than 101 on at least 2 occasions lasting for at least 3 weeks.
Treatment includes broad diagnostic work up. If no identifiable etiology is found and the patient is hemodynamically stable, it is reasonable to treat with antipyretics and monitor for resolution of fevers
Treatment of acute pericarditis
NSAIDs and colchicine
Glucocorticoids are indicated if the patient is allergic to NSAIDs or is pregnant
What is a Jefferson fracture?
Burst fracture of C1
Centor Criteria for strep pharyngitis
Tonsillar exudates
Anterior lymph nodes are palpable
Fever greater than 101
No cough
Difference in clinical presentation of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers
Gastric ulcers:
–have pain 1-3 hours after eating and pain is not relieved by food or antacids.
–May have nocturnal pain or heartburn
–Pain is midline
Duodenal Ulcers:
–Usually relieved with food and antacids.
–Pain generally 1 inch or farther from the midline
Risk factors for gout
Older age
Male gender
African American
Genetics
Diet - high protein, ETOH
Diuretics
First line treatment of Crohn’s Disease
Enteric-coated PO budesomide
Classic presentation of Crohn’s Disease
Fatigue, prolonged diarrhea with abdominal pain, weight loss, fevers
Achille’s Tendonitis - clinical presentation and treatment
Overuse injury that is thought to be due to poor vascularity 2-6cm proximal to the insertion of the achilles tendon.
It presents as pain, warmth and swelling exacerbated by exercise
On exam, there will be notable thickening of the tendon and difficulty with ROM
Treatment is modification of activity and change in shoes as well as eccentric exercises to stretch and strengthen muscle fibers
How often should a fecal immunochemical testing be done on an average-risk for colorectal cancer patient (no family hx, no concerning findings)
Annually
Every 10 years for the same patient with a standard colonoscopy
When would you order a CT scan for a patient with pancreatitis?
No need for CT scan on a patient with pancreatitis when the patient is stable and the diagnosis is straight forward unless the patient’s condition deteriorates.
Ultrasound could be considered on admission to look for gallbladder disease or gallstones
CT would only be helpful within the first 72 hours to assess for necrotizing pancreatitis and would only be indicated if the patient were becoming significantly worse
What is the most common type of cancer in the US
Skin Cancer
Normal limits of Swan Ganz Catheter:
Central Venous Pressure
Central Venous Pressure: 2-6mmHg - Used to measure right sided filling pressure and measures volume status
If low, then likely hypovolemia
What does the pulmonary artery pressure and wedge pressure on a Swan Ganz catheter measure
Normal wedge pressure 4-12mmHg
Measures left side of the heart filling pressures.
When both are diminished, likely hypovolemia
When both are elevated, likely left sided heart failure or cardiac tamponade
Treatment of rosacia
Metronidazole gel and avoidance of triggers for rosacia including alcohol, the sun, spicy foods
What are the indications for emergent hemodialysis? (What would we be concerned for in a patient that missed hemodialysis?)
Symptomatic uremia (pericarditis, neuropathy, unexplained AMS)
Significant fluid overload
Refractory hyperK
Refractory metabolic acidosis
Compare all labs to baseline as they could be chronically elevated due to CKD
Patients with which immunoglobulin deficiency have a high risk of reaction when receiving blood products?
IgA deficiency
Medicare direct reimbursement for NPs is permitted under which federal law?
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
Gives NPs reimbursement up to 85%
When should we conduct screening for peripheral artery disease per the United States Preventative Services Task Force?
No screening is indicated
PAD can be assessed using the ankle brachial index - systolic blood pressure at the ankle over the systolic blood pressure at the brachial.
Should be 1. Less than 1 is concern for PAD
Clinical presentation of inhalation anthrax and treatment
Presents similar to PNA however can rapidly deteriorate and CXR often shows mediastinal widening consistent with mediastinitis.
Treatment for inhaled anthrax is IV ciprofloxacin and clindamycin
What is Kehr’s Sign?
LUQ or flank pain with referred pain to the left shoulder with splenic trauma
What is the FRAX score and what does it help predict?
FRAX score is the best way to determine future fracture risk/probability
Calculated from her age, sex, body mass index and dichotomized risk factors such as:
–prior fragility fracture
–parental hx of hip fracture
–current tobacco use
–long term oral glucocorticoid use
–rheumatoid arthritis
–high alcohol consumption
Which age groups do women have similar stroke risk to men
Ages 25-34 and over 85 years old
In the ilium, which type of tumor is most common?
Carcinoid
What is a Jone’s fracture
Acute fracture at the proximal diametaphyseal junction near the 5th metatarsal
First line treatment of chronic prostatitis
Fluoroquinolones are first line treatment - levofloxacin thought to be superior to ciprofloxacin due to recent resistance to cipro
Second line agent could be Bactrim
Difference between a MOLST and a Healthcare Proxy form
MOLST (Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments)
—replaced the DNR form
Healthcare Proxy
–Simple document, legally valid which allows the patient to name someone to make health care decisions on the patient’s behalf if they are unable to make or communicate those decisions
What is the recommended daily sodium intake for a patient with hypertension that is attempting to make lifestyle changes?
Less than 1.5g/day of sodium
Treatment of anthrax infection, either aerosolized or cutaneous
Anthrax is a zoonotic infection
Grand majority of infections are cutaneous
Should be treated with doxycycline or ciprofloxacin for 60 days post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
What is papilledema and what is characteristic physical exam finding
Papilledema refers to swelling of the optic disc caused by increased intracranial pressure.
Classic exam finding is optic disc bulging on fundascopic exam
What is the treatment for hyperhemolysis s/p blood transfusion?
Steroids, rituximab
What are clinical manifestations of acute ASA toxicity?
Tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
What cancer would an elevated CA 125 suggest? What cancer would an elevated CA 19-9 suggest?
Elevated CA 125 suggest ovarian cancer
Elevated CA 19-9 suggests pancreatic cancer
Classic clinical presentation in pheochromocytoma and diagnostic testing that would confirm it
Episodes of headaches, diaphoresis and palpitations that are not related to exertion
Diagnostics:
24 hours urine catecholamine test
What does varus force mean?
Pushing away from the midline
Valgus is pushing the joint toward the midline
Why is giving corticosteroids after an MI dangerous?
Corticosteroids and some non-ASA NSAIDs can interfere with cardiac wall remodeling and scaring after a MI, which can leave the wall weak and prone to rupture
In cardiac tamponade, what values will you see on a right heart catheter?
High RA pressure
Equalization of the RA pressure, PA pressure and Wedge pressure
What is the most common bacterial cause of PNA?
Streptococcal pneumoniae
What is tumor lysis syndrome and what electrolytes are commonly affected by tumor lysis syndrome?
Tumor lysis syndrome describes massive tumor cell lysis with the release of intracellular material, resulting in an onc emergency.
Often happens with cytoxin iniation
Often presents as severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after a few days of initiation of cytoxin
Usually present with hypocalcemia
Seizures characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone that result in a fall or “drop seizures”
Atonic seizures
What test could be done to confirm the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease?
Ankle brachial index
Treatment of post-herpatic neuralgia after herpes zoster infection
Gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants
EKG changes in TCA overdose
Prolonged QRS interval
Cardiogenic shock: What is it and what is a sign of decreased perfusion?
Cardiogenic shock is characterized by the failure of the heart to pump effectively resulting in decreased cardiac output and decrease in tissue and organ perfusion.
Symptoms include cool, mottled skin, oliguria, and clouded sensorium
Vitamin C deficiency: What are the symptoms
Scurvy
Malnourished individuals who do not eat enough vegetables.
Hemorrhagic skin lesions that usually appear in a perifollicular pattern on the legs
Also include fatigue, bleeding gums, ecchymosis, petechiae, hyperkeratosis
On a pulmonary function test, what are the classic signs of obstructive disease?
Increased residual volume (volume left over) and total lung capacity
Decreased tidal volume and decreased total capacity
Decreased forced expiratory volume over 1 second
FEV1:FVC is less than 80%
Common electrolyte abnormalities in SIADH and treatment
HypoNa because of diminished urinary output and water retention
Treatment is fluid restriction
Antibiotic of choice for aspiration PNA
Clindamycin
–Good for broad spectrum coverage
When is screening for lung cancer indicated?
Annual lung cancer screening is recommended for all adults between the ages of 55-80 with a 30 pack year history who are current smokers or quit less then 15 years ago.
High resolution pulmonary CT
A deficiency of ____ during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with neural tube defects.
Folate
The use of Lisinopril during pregnancy can lead to ______.
Organ malformation in the first trimester. Renal malformations or renal failure if taken in the second or third trimester
Should take nifedipine, labetalol, hydralizine
What is the highest risk for factor for developing a lacunar infarct?
Hypertension
Lacunar infarct represents a type of small vessel disease
What is the most common bacteria that could cause a catheter related blood stream infection?
Coagulase negative Staphylococcus such as S. epidermis
What would a typical peripheral blood smear show in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
In an acute leukemia, the cells would be immature because they are being sent out so quickly. There would be an increase in blast cells.
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the cells are normocytic, meaning that they have completely matured. This suggests that the disease process has been underway for some time.
In both cases, there would be a lymphocyte predominance on peripheral smear to suggest that it is a lymphoid leukemia.
How would one diagnose polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
renal ultrasound
Normal VBG
pH 7.35 - 7.45
PaO2 >90 75-89 - mild hypoxia <75 severe hypoxia
PaCO2 35 - 45
HCO3 18-24
What is the FiO2?
Fraction of oxygen per each inspiration
Trouble shooting vents: How could you decrease a plateau pressure?
Decrease tidal volume
What is the best diagnostic test for portal and splenic vein thrombosis, as in a patient with chronic pancreatitis?
Visceral angiography
Worsening abd pain could be caused by splenic or portal vein thrombosis in a patient with chronic pancreatitis.
Multiple myeloma: Clinical presentation, labs
Weakness, fatigue, bone pain, recurrent infections, recurrent infections, hypercalcemia sxs (n/v, thirst, loss of appetite)
Labs:
Hypercalemia
Anemia
Bone lesions
Renal Failure
What is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy?
Myotonic muscular dystrophy
Usually isolates in certain muscles and patients can live for longer.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has much more rapid course and patients often die earlier
What antibiotic would you choose for prophylactic treatment of recurrent UTIs?
Bactrim 40/200mg PO Daily
Macrobid 50-100mg PO Daily
What are the recommendations for women with a risk of osteoporosis as it pertains to D3 and calcium supplementation?
Women over the age of 65 who are community dwelling and at increased risk for falls should have Vit D supplementation.
They concluded however that there is not enough evidence for recommendation of dosages to prevent fractures in post-menopausal women.
They do recommend osteoporosis screening for all women over the age of 65 or younger with increased risk factors using the FRAX score
—Takes into account age, BMI, parental hx of fracture, alcohol and tobacco use
Heart sounds of someone with aortic stenosis
Late systolic murmur heard over the R second intercostal space and radiates to the carotid arteries.
Heart sounds of someone with Aortic regurgitation
Early diastolic murmur/ decrescendo murmur at the third left intercostal space
In a patient with a lacunar stroke, what is an important medication to consider starting to prevent future strokes?
Statin
Lacunar strokes are largely caused by atherosclerotic disease, so starting a statin can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
Treatment of choice for mild ulcerative colitis
5-Aminosalycilic acid enema
Risk factors for secondary restless leg syndrome
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, venous insuffiency, lumbosacral radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, hypoglycemia
Treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis
Amoxicillin is the first line
Could also consider Azithromycin or clarithromycin
Phenylephrine may be beneficial for symptom relief
What is an adverse reaction to phenytoin that is pushed too fast
Purple glove syndrome
Fosphenytoin does not have this risk and therefore is often preferred.
CHA2DS2-VASc Score: What does it stand for and when would you use it
CHF - 1pt
Hypertension - 1pt
Age >75 - 2pt
Diabetes - 1pt
Stroke - 2pt
Vascular Disease - 1pt
Age 65-74 - 1pt
Sex - Female - 1pt
Used to determine if pt should be anticoagulated
If they score more than 1 on this, they should be considered with treatment with a DOAC
Which vasopressor is associated with hypokalemia and lactic acidosis
Epinephrine
Most common bacteria associated with UTI
E. Coli
An epidural hematoma is caused by bleeding from ______
the middle meningeal artery.
Hypercalcemia: Causes, normal range, Physical manifestations
Usually caused by hyperparathyroid
Hypercalcemia: Ca of >10.5 or ionized calcium >5.3
Sxs:
Shorted QT interval
Muscle weakness
Delayed deep tendon reflexes
Vomiting
Constipation
Stupor
What bacteria most often causes toxic shock syndrome in a patient that is menstruating and using tampons.
Staph aureus
Strep pyogenes can also cause toxic shock syndrome however it is usually associated with a skin or soft tissue rash
What is the first line therapy for immune thrombocytopenia?
Prednisone 1mg/kg/day
What is the most common cause of a new seizure disorder in patients over 60
Vascular disease
What is the target A1c for patients >65 years old?
<8.0 - helps prevent episodes of hypoglycemia and falls
What is the treatment for vitiligo
Topical corticosteroids
What are the CD4 cutoffs for prophylactic treatment of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and what is the treatment
Bactrim for CD4 count of less than 200.
Pulmonary function tests in restrictive pulmonary disease
Decreased Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and decreased total lung capacity
Both FEV1 and FVC are reduced so the FEV1:FVC would be normal