Week 11: GI OTC Flashcards
What are the red flag symptoms of the chest? (10)
Chest Pain
SOB
Wheezing
Swollen Ankles
Blood in sputum
Palpitations
Persistent Cough
Whooping Cough
Croup
Sputum mucoid, coloured?
What are the red flag symptoms for the gut? (6)
Difficulty swallowing
Blood in vomit
Bloody diarrhoea
Vomiting with constipation
Weight loss
Sustained alteration of bowel habit.
What are the red flag symptoms of the eyes? (3)
Painful red eye
Loss of vision
Double vision
What are the red flags symptoms for the ear? (6)
Pain
Discharge
Deafness
Irritation
Tinnitus
Vertigo
What are the red flags symptoms of the genitourinary? (6)
Difficulty in passing urine.
Blood in urine.
Abdominal/loin/back pain with cystitis.
Urethral discharge
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.
What other red flag symptoms do you need to consider? (3)
Neck Stiffness
Rigidity with temp.
Persistent Vomiting
What other factors do you need to consider? (6)
Drug Interactions
Contraindications
Px’s Age
License restrictions
Legal Issues
Confidentiality
What Qs do you need to ask for px’s presenting with abdominal pain? (7)
Where is the pain?
When did it start?
Is it constant/intermittent?
Has it moved +/or spread?
Have you had it before?
Is the area tender?
Have you taken anything which helps?
What symptoms would be considered as a referral in patients presenting with abdominal pain? (8)
Continuous severe pain lasting > 1hr.
Mild/moderate lasting intermittent for 7 days.
Swelling - ass. with hernias.
Over 45yrs v 55yrs and suffering persistent dyspepsia.
Recent unexplained weight loss.
Vomiting/constipation/diarrhoea + persistent abdomen.
Blood in vomit/stools (red/coffee grounds)
Ab. pain + chronic back pain
What symptoms would be considered as a referral in babies presenting with abdominal pain? (3)
Projectile vomiting
Constipation
Diarrhoea
(Gastroenteritis)
What medication(s) can cause gastric pain? (1)
NSAIDs
What medication(s) can cause constipation? (3)
Opioids
TCAs
Iron
What medication(s) can cause oesophageal ulceration? (3)
KCl
Alendronic Acid
Doxycycline
What are the main causes of oral thrush? (6)
Antibiotic therapy
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Immunocompromised
Ill-fitting dentures
ICS
What are the symptoms of oral thrush? (3)
White raised patches
Tendency to bleed
Painful (baby refusing to feed, ass. with nappy rash)
What are the treatment options available for oral thrush? (3)
Antifungals:
- Miconazole 20mg/g (Daktarin Oral Gel)
- Tx from 4 months
- Dose age related
What counselling points should be given to patients taking antifungal treatment for oral thrush? (4)
Maintain good oral hygiene.
Apply after food
Keep in mouth for as long as possible before swallowing.
Continue tx for 7 days after symptoms.
Which patients need referral when they present with oral thrush? (2)
Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Which drugs are contraindicated with Miconazole? (3)
Warfarin
Sulphonylureas
Phenytoin
What are the main causes of mouth ulcers? (6)
Deficiency? Vit. B, Folic Acid
Stress
Physical Illness (CD, IBD)
Nutrition
Trauma
Carcinoma
What are the common symptoms for mouth ulcers? (4)
Shallow yellow/white ulcers on tongue, cheek and lip mucosa.
Painful, can look swollen
Single/in clusters
Can be recurrent
What are the available treatment options for mouth ulcers? (4)
Topical local anaesthetics/analgesics: Anbesol liquid, bonjela, iglu pastilles (limited use, short duration of action, taken after food)
Antiseptic mouth washes: Chlorhexidine (Corsodyl mouthwash) - reduces risk of secondary infection + accelerates healing process.
Topical local anti-inflammatory/analgesics:
Benzydamine HCl (Difflam Oral Rinse) - can numb +/or sting, dilute with equal amount of water if stings. Use every 1.5 to 3hrs prn, max 7 days. Not to be used on children < 13 yrs.
Hydrocortisone 2.5mg Muco-adhesive buccal tablets:
Reduces inflammation and ulcer size, used only in prev. diagnosed ulceration. > 12 yrs only. Keep in mouth and allow to dissolve slowly close to the ulcers QDS.
When would it be appropriate to refer a patient with mouth ulcers? (6)
Recurrent ulcers
Ulcer > 3 weeks old
Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Diabetes
Ulcers due to infection
What are the common symptoms of oral cancer? (3)
White patch +/or red patches on gums, tongue, mouth lining.
Small sore that looks like a common mouth ulcer that fails to heal.
Lump/mass that can be felt on the lip/mouth/throat.
What is dyspepsia also known for? (3)
Indigestion
Heartburn
Trapped Wind
What are the common causes for dyspepsia? (9)
Hurried meals
Overindulgence
Spicy food
Smoking
Overweight
Pregnancy
Medication (NSAIDs, Digoxin, Iron)
HF
H. Pylori