Erythroderma

Question 1

If someone is having an adverse drug reaction, which of the following is the most important to do?

1 - brief history
2 - examination
3 - stop drug causing reaction
4 - call senior member of the team

Answer 1

3 - stop drug causing reaction

Also:
- ABCDE
- Manage any complications (commonly infection)
- Senior Support
- Specific treatments

Question 2

Erythroderma is a condition referred to as skin failure. What % of the skin is said to be affected in Erythroderma?

1 - >50%
2 - >70%
3 - >80%
4 - >90%

Answer 2

4 - >90%

Question 3

Erythroderma is a dermatological medical emergency referred to as skin failure when >90% of the skin is affected. What is the mortality rate of erythroderma?

1 - 1-2%
2 - 10-20%
3 - 20-40%
4 - >50%

Answer 3

3 - 20-40%

Question 4

Which if the following are common complication of erythroderma?

1 - Sepsis
2 - High output cardiac failure
3 - Hypothermia,
4 - Electrolyte loss
5 - Dehydration
6 - Hypoalbuminaemia
7 - all of the above

Answer 4

7 - all of the above

Question 5

Which of the following dermatological conditions does NOT typically lead to erythroderma?

1 - Psoriasis (beware recent steroids)
2 - Eczema
3 - Acne
4 - Pityriasis rubra pilaris

Answer 5

3 - Acne
- all others are inflammatory skin conditions

Question 6

Which of the following dermatological conditions can lead to erythroderma?

1 - Drug reactions
2 - Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (Sezary syndrome)
3 - Paraneoplastic
4 - all of the above

Answer 6

4 - all of the above

Paraneoplastic
- rare disorder where immune system reacts to neoplasms

Question 7

In a patient with suspected erythroderma, which of the following is least important following an ABCDE approach to treating the patient?

1 - Bed rest
2 - IV fluids
3 - monitoring vital signs
4 - urine output
5 - antibiotics

Answer 7

5 - antibiotics
- these may be useful, but the cause needs to be identified 1st

Question 8

In a patient with suspected erythroderma the barrier of the skin is compromised. There they should be given a thick 50:50 white soft paraffin:Liquid paraffin emollient how often initially?

1 - every 30 minutes
2 - every 2 hours
3 - every 4 hours
4 - every 8 hours

Answer 8

2 - every 2 hours

Question 9

If we suspect that the cause of erythroderma is due to a secondary infection we should start them on which 2 of the following:

1 - anti-fungals
2 - antibiotics
3 - moderate strength topical corticosteroids
4 - thick emollients

Answer 9

2 - antibiotics
3 - moderate strength topical corticosteroids

Also need to do skin biopsy and take bloods as required