Fever Flashcards
What do you ask a patient to confirm whether they had rigors?
Can they stop the shakes
Could they hold a glass of water without spilling any
How long did it last (>10minutes)
What are some red flags in a patient with a fever?
They come back to ED after being discharged within 24 hours
They complain “this is the sickest I’ve been before”
Rigors
Recent Travel
Petechial rash
Recent surgery
Severe localisd pain/muscle pain
What are the “coccals” that can kill you quick?
Meningicoccal
Pneumococcal
Staphlococcal
What is the pathophysiological mechanism of petechial rash formation?
Embolisms that occlude small vessels
What is safe to assume with fever in the elderly?
It’s a bacterial infection causing it
When presented with fever + back pain, what diagnosis must be excluded?
Epidural abscess (abscess in the dura that impinges on the spinal cord)
What is an ICT card used for?
Rapid diagnosis of P. falciparum (a negative result doesn’t exclude vivax)
How might one acquired brucellosis?
Eating goats cheese made from unpasteurised milk
