Common presenting problems Flashcards
(291 cards)
What must you rule out in patients 50+ years old presenting with abdominal pain?
AAA
What is allergic rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa that is triggered by an allergic reaction
What are different classifications of allergic rhinitis
seasonal
◆ symptoms during a specific time of the year
◆ common allergens: trees, grass and weed pollens, airborne moulds
perennial
◆ symptoms throughout the year with variation in severity
◆ common allergens: dust mites, animal dander, moulds
• persistent allergic rhinitis may lead to chronic rhinosinusitis
Allergic rhinitis differential diagnosis
- Acute viral infection
- Vasomotor rhinitis
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
- Acute/chronic sinusitis
- Drug-induced rhinitis
What is rhinitis medicamentosa
Rebound nasal congestion.
Occurs with prolonged use (>5-7 d) of vasoconstrictive
intranasal medications.
Patient may become dependent, requiring more frequent dosing to achieve the same decongestant effect
What is the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis
increased IgE levels to certain allergens
→ excessive degranulation of mast cells
→ release of inflammatory mediators (e.g. histamine) and cytokines
→ local inflammatory reaction
What other conditions is allergic rhinitis associated with
asthma
eczema
sinusitis
otitis media
Allergic rhinitis management
- Conservative - minimize exposure, hygiene, saline nasal rinses
- Oral antihistamines (first line therapy for mild symptoms)
Cetirizine (Reactine)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Loratadine (Claritin) - Intranasal corticosteroids for moderate/severe or persistent symptoms (>1 mo of consistent use to
see results) - Intranasal decongestants (use must be limited to <5 d to avoid rhinitis medicamentosa)
- Allergy skin testing
■ for patients with chronic rhinitis
■ symptoms not controlled by allergen avoidance, pharmacological therapy
■ may identify allergens to include in immunotherapy treatment - Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
■ reserved for severe cases unresponsive to pharmacologic agents
■ consists of periodic (usually weekly) subcutaneous injections of custom prepared solutions of one or
more antigens to which the patient is allergic
Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder
AND I C REST Anxious, nervous, or worried No control over the worry Duration >6 mo Irritability Concentration impairment Restlessness Energy decreased Sleep impairment Tension in muscles
What is the precursor to asthma
cannot be diagnosed at first presentation; called reactive airway disease until recurrent presentations
When can a child begin to do PFTs
pulmonary function tests (PFTs) can be done from age 6 or when child able to follow instructions to
do PFTs
What can be used to monitor asthma in the outpatient setting
Peak flow meter
When someone has a cough in asthma when is it typically exacerbated
Worse in cold, at night, and in early AM
COPD management ladder
Mild
Step 1: SABA prn (salbutamol)
Step 2: SABA prn + LAAC (i.e. tiotropium)
or + LABA (e.g. salmeterol)
Moderate
Step 3: SABA prn + LAAC + low-dose combined
ICS/LABA
consider inhaled vs. oral steroids
Severe
Step 4: ± theophylline
Pneumococcal vaccination, annual influenza
immunization
Asthma management ladder
Ongoing patient education, and environmental
control
SABA taken prn as rescue medication + maintenance meds
Maintenance medications
Step 1: Low-dose ICS
Step 2: Medium/high dose ICS
or low-dose ICS plus either LABA, LT modifier, or long-acting theophylline
Step 3: Medium/high-dose ICS plus either LABA, LT
modifier, or long-acting theophylline
Step 4: As above plus immunotherapy ± oral
glucocorticosteroids
+ pneumococcal vaccination, annual influenza immunization
What is the benefit of using aerosol puffers with spacers
Aerosols (puffers=MDI, MDI + spacer)
MDIs should be used with spacers to:
• Reduce side effects
• Improve amount inhaled
• Increase efficiency of use
In what population is dry powder inhalers often not used and why
Dry Powder Inhalers (discus, turbuhaler,
and diskhaler) require deep and fast
breathing (may not be ideal for children)
What is your differential diagnosis for wheezing
• Allergies, anaphylaxis • Asthma, reactive airway disease • GERD • Infections (bronchitis, pneumonia) • Obstructive Sleep Apnea • COPD • Less common: congestive heart disease, foreign body, malignancy, cystic fibrosis, vocal cord dysfunction
What electrolyte abnormality is associated with Salbutamol and how does it present
lethargy, irritability
paresthesias, myalgias, weakness
palpitations, N/V, polyuria
What is the pathophysiology of BPH
hyperplasia of the stroma and epithelium in the periurethral transition zone
What is the meaning of different PSA values
◆ <4.0 ng/mL: normal, but must take into account patient’s age and velocity of PSA increase
◆ 4-10 ng/mL: consider measuring free/total PSA
◆ >10 ng/mL: high likelihood of prostate pathology
When is PSA testing inappropriate
PSA testing is inappropriate in men with a life expectancy less than 10 yr or patients with prostatitis,
UTI
What investigations should be completed for BPH
■ Urinalysis - exclude UTI and for microscopic hematuria (common sign)
■ Cr, BUN
■ post-void residual volume by ultrasound
■ urodynamic studies, renal ultrasound
■ patient voiding diary
What are late complications of BPH
Hydronephrosis
Loss of renal concentrating ability
Systemic acidosis
Renal failure