pharmacy first acute sore throat Flashcards
(11 cards)
What age group is included in this pharmacy first
5+
excluding pregnant under 16
what is the criteria for refferal
☐ Does the patient have signs or symptoms indicating possible scarlet fever,
quinsy or glandular fever? (refer to NICE CKS for list of symptoms)
☐ Does the patient have signs and symptoms of suspected cancer?
☐ Is the patient immunosuppressed?
what is in a FEVER pain score
☐ Fever (over 38°C)
☐ Purulence
☐ First Attendance within 3 days after onset of symptoms
☐ Severely Inflamed tonsils
☐ No cough or coryza (cold symptoms)
what is epiglottitis
infammation and swelling of the epiglottis - small cartilage flap that covers the windpipe
symptoms: sore throat, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), drooling, difficulty breathing, hoarse voice (dysphonia)
most common cause: bacterial infection
medical emergency - referral to A&E
symptoms of scarlet fever - requires onward referral to GP or A&E
high temp
red throat with yellow/white patches
difficulty swallowing
enlarged lymph nodes in neck - tender to touch
nausea and vomiting
belly pain
body ache
what is the exclusion criteria for the pathwat
pregnant <16
immunosurpressed
suspected cancer
possible scarlet fever or glandular fever
quincy (puss from one of tonsils)
what is the fever PAIN score
☐ Fever (over 38°C)
☐ Purulence
☐ First Attendance within 3 days after onset of symptoms
☐ Severely Inflamed tonsils
☐ No cough or coryza (cold symptoms)
if fever pain score is 0/1 what is the action taken
no abx needed
OTC relief - lidocaine spray, sore throat lozenges, actifed, pain relief etc - shared decision making
drink adequate fluids
return to pharmacy after 1 week if no improvement
what is the action taken if the fever PAIN score is 2/3
self care and pain relief.
no abx as this will make little difference
OTC treatment
adequate fluids
return within 3-5 days if no improvement
What is the action taken if the fever pain score is 4/5
shared decision making using RTI leaflet - assess whether symptoms are mild or severe
mild = self care advice and pain relief
severe: immediate antibiotic:
- phenoxymethylpenicillin 5 days
- clarithromycin if penicillin allergic (5 days)
- erythromycin if pregnant (5 days)
if symptoms don’t improve onward referral
What resources should be shared with the patient
TARGET respiratory tract infection leaflet
PIL
self-care information: refer to the TARGET leaflet
eat cool, soft foods and drink cool or warm drinks
