PracticeExam CCS

CCS #1 -Barbiturate overdose ________________________________________ In small doses, the person who abuses barbiturates feels drowsy, disinhibited, and intoxicated. In higher doses, the user staggers as if drunk, develops slurred speech, and is confused. At even higher doses, the person is unable to be aroused (coma) and may stop breathing. Death is possible. It has a narrow therapeutic-to-toxic range. This is the reason why barbiturates are dangerous. It is also why barbiturates are not prescribed often today. In addition to having a narrow therapeutic range, barbiturates are also addictive. Symptoms of withdrawal or abstinence include tremors, difficulty sleeping, and agitation. These symptoms can become worse, resulting in life-threatening symptoms including hallucinations, high temperature, and seizures. Pregnant women taking barbiturates can cause their baby to become addicted, and the newborn may have withdrawal symptoms. Lab: CBC, chem 7, urine tox screen, ABG EKG, C xray Treatment: The treatment of barbiturate abuse or overdose is generally supportive. The amount of support required depends on the person’s symptoms. If the patient is drowsy but awake and can swallow and breathe without difficulty, the treatment just monitor the patient closely. If the patient is not breathing, mechanical ventilation until the drug have worn off. Activated charcoal may given via nasogastric tube. Start on Naloxone, Thiamine, Glucose, & IV fluid. NaHCO3 to alkalize the urine Admitted to the hospital or observe in the Emergency Department for a number of hours. Advice the patient about drug abuse or Psychiatric consult. CCS # 2 Anemia in an elderly male. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. True primary prevention includes: 1. Stressing a low fat, high fiber diet, adequate calcium intake, and identification of any risk factors such as a strong family history of colon cancer, which might increase an individual's risk. 2. Dietary supplementation with D-Glucarate is an exciting new approach. Most colon cancers develop from benign polyps. Screening for Colorectal Cancer: 1. An annual fecal occult blood test. 2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy once every 3-5 years to detect colorectal cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. Begin at age 50. 3. An annual colonoscopy is recommended for high risk patients of any age with prior history of cancer, a strong family history of the disease, or a predisposing chronic digestive condition such as inflammatory bowel disease. Colon cancer screening age 40: DRE/every yr age 50: DRE + fecal blood test/every yr, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 3 yrs High risk: 1) FH/O colon cancer in 1st degree relative-age 40: DRE + fecal blood test/every yr; flexible sigmoidoscopy and Barium enema or colonoscopy every 3-5 yrs after 2 normal exams 1 yr apart 2) IBD of 8 yr duration: colonoscopy every yr What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer? Right sided, ascending colon tumors often present with fatigue, weakness, and anemia of iron deficiency of unknown origin. Left Sided, changes in bowel habits ( constipation and/or diarrhea ), crampy left lower quadrant pain and even perforation. HPI: A 60 year old male presenting to office for regular checkup. Or patient has mild anemia and tiredness. PE: Complete LAB & Diagnostic Investigations: 1. CBC with Diff. 2. UA 3. Chem-12 4. Lipid profile 5. Because of his age he needs fecal blood test, If positive followed by colonoscopy. result will show evidence of colon cancer. 6. Liver function tests, Chest x-ray to look for metastatic disease. 7. CT scan: to evaluate the extent of CA or metastases. Management: 1. Evaluate the Colonoscopy result. 2. After initial workup admit patient for elective surgery. 3. Surgery consult. Get type and cross, CBC, Chem 12, EKG, CXR, PT, PTT, LFT, inform consent, NPO, and CEA level prior to

surgery. 4. Start patient on Iron if hgb is very low. 5. After surgery patient should be evaluated every 3-6 months for 3-5 yrs with history, physical examination, fecal occult blood testing, liver function tests, and CEA determinations. 6. Colonoscopy is performed within 6-12 months after operation to look for evidence of recurrence and then every 3-5 years. CEA: used as a marker for colorectal tumor growth postoperative (recurrence). Educate patient and family: Advice patient about High Fiber Diet Final Diagnosis: Colon Cancer ________________________________________ CCS #3 Typical case of Cholecystitis. Patient mostly comes with fever, chills and RUQ tenderness, muscle guarding worse with inspiration. Lab: CBC, UA, serum amylase & lipase, LFT, B-HCG if female pt. PT/PTT, blood type & screen. First choice for evaluation is U/S. if it is biliary colic, sonogram will make the diagnosis. If sonogram is doubtful, then HIDA can make a diagnosis. Recognize appropriate treatment of asymptomatic gallstone disease. Management If pt has pain and fever start on : Cipro 500 mg Bid for 10 days or Metronidazole 500 mg TID for 10 days. Bentyl 20 mg Tid, AC for 10 days. If pt has acute severe pain, nausea & vomiting: Hospitalize, NG tube, IV antibiotics, IV fluids, narcotics (Meperidine) Good response: Plan surgery after acute attack is over Poor response: Immediate surgery Except under very unusual circumstances the gall bladder should be left alone. Exceptions include a concomitant porcelain gallbladder (risk of cancer), patients unable to clear Salmonella typhi infection, and possibly sickle cell patients. If chronic small stones: Trial of ursodiol is beneficial. CCS # 3 Cocaine-related myocardial infarction: ________________________________________ HPI: A 22 y/o man comes to ER with chest pain, tachycardia, High BP ... Lab: CBC, chem 7, UA with tox screen. EKG, Cardiac Enzymes. The accurate identification of patients with cocaine-related myocardial infarction can be difficult as the EKG may be abnormal in many patients with chest pain after cocaine use, even in the absence of acute MI. Treatment: Airway, O2, IV fluid, Monitor. If BP still high consider Nitroprusside (B-Blockers are contraindicated) Diazepam to reduce agitation & help resolve chest pain. The routine use of thrombolysis in patients who may have cocaine-related infarction is not advised. Thrombolytic therapy should be considered only after treatment with oxygen, aspirin, nitrates, and benzodiazepines has failed, and when immediate coronary angiography and angioplasty are not available. Admit to ICU if not stable (cardiology consult) Psychiatric consult. CCS # 4 Typical case of Cholecystitis. ________________________________________

Case #5: 65-year-old white woman with left-sided chest pain Initial History/Vital Signs: • 65-year-old white woman with left-sided chest pain • Anxious and sweating • Has tachycardia and tachypnoea, with bounding pulses • Severely hypertensive Comment Acute onset of sharp chest pain that radiates to the back in a hypertensive woman in the 7th decade of life makes aortic dissection very likely. We must proceed rapidly.

Differential diagnoses at this time would include: • Aortic dissection (top on the list) • Myocardial infarction • Musculoskeletal pain • Pneumothorax • Costochondritis Comments As stated above, there is little doubt that this patient has aortic dissection. A close differential would be myocardial infarction. Chest pain not made worse by breathing indicates that the pleural is not involved, and neither is it a result of In any case, we need to address her problems without delay. Our next move is physical examination. Click the appropriate buttons and select the following: • • • • • •

general appearance (remember case #1? You must always examine the patient’s general appearance) skin chest/lungs cardiovascular system abdomen extremities

Comment The major findings are in the cardiovascular system. Bounding pulse with decrescendo murmur poiint to aortic incompetence. These findings lead us more towards dissection of the aorta. We need to quickly order laboratory investigations. Appropriate investigations to order now: • • • • •

12-lead ECG stat. Chest X-ray (AP, portable) cardiac enzymes pulse oxymetry (if low then request ABG) CT scan of chest

Comment As a rule of thumb, all patients with chest pain should have the above investigations done. a 12-lead ECG helps us rule in or out the heart as the cause of her chest pain. Portable chest x-ray can be rapidly done right in the ER. Without waiting for the results of these investigations, we will now start treatment: Click on the order button and enter the following orders, one per line • • • •

morphine, intravenous, continuous phenergan, I/V, continuous (Antiemetic) oxygen by inhalation atenolol I/V bolus for elevated blood pressure

Comment Morphine is for pain; phenergan is an anitemetic (emesis is a common side effect of morphine) We have done what we can do for the patient for now. Let us find out how our patient is doing. We are going to take interval history. Click on Interval Hx/PE and select • Interval/Follow up • Chest/lungs • Heart/CVS We discover that oxygen saturation is 96% (acceptable; ABG not needed at this time). Otherwise, no change in patient's condition. We will now advance the clock to see patient with next available result: ECG shows sinus tachycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy Comment This effectively rules out myocardial infarction. We still need to review the result of serum cardiac enzyme determinations, though. The patient has received only partial relief. Click ok to continue. We need more results before we can make managemenbt decisions. Keep on advancing the clock. • X-ray result shows mediastinal widening • CT scan shows ascending aortic dissection • Patient's blood pressure improves. We must now send a consult to the specialists. Click the order button and order: • consult to cardiovascular surgeons (reason: probable aortic dissection) • consult to cardiologists (reason: probable aortic dissection)

Click on the Change Location button to the right of the screen to move patient to the ICU. Confirm move • Take interval/follow-up history • Examine chest & cardiovascular system • order atenolol PO continuous (if BP remains high) Patient is now feeling better. We need to get some laboratory results. Advance the clock to next available result Cardiac enzyme comes back, ruling out MI. BP is now within normal range. We must discontinue some of her antihypertensive medications, lest she becomes hypotensive. Click on Triamterine once. Confirm cancelation. We may leave her on atenolol and thiazides. Final diagnosis: Ascending aortic dissection ________________________________________ Case #6 : 25-year-old male patient with three-week history of diarrhea Initial History: Essential Facts: • Three week history of mucoid, non-bloody diarrhea • Has prolonged diarrhea (three weeks) • There is associated abdominal cramps Comments Diarrhea wakes patient up, meaning it is a non-functional diarrhea; functional diarrhea will not wake patient up. It is of recent onset, so irritable bowel syndrome is unlikely. Diarrhea is mucoid, so there is an infectious etiology; it is non-bloody, so there is no invasiveness of the GI tract. Differentials at this time include: • Infectious diarrhea (e.g. Giardiasis) • Dysentery • Inflammatory bowel disease Giardiasis is one of the commonest causes of diarrhea in the adult population Let us go on to perform the physical examination. We are interested in the following systems Physical Examination: • General appearance • Abdomen/rectum • Extremities • Cardiovascular system • Skin • Lungs Confirm your choice of PE. Afterwards, click on the Order button to place the following orders. • • • • • •

Electrolytes BUN/ Creatinine CBC statim Stool for ova and parasites, C/S, clostridium Serum amylase and lipase to rule out Pancreatitis. Amylase is sensitive but not specific; lipase is specific but not sensitive Abdominal X-ray to rule out toxic megacolon/perforation, acute series

Comments We have done everything we can do at this stage. Let us advance the clock to see the next available result. What we do next will be determined by what we get from the lab results. Advance the clock until you get the results: Ova and parasite: positive for Giardia lamblia Now that our diagnosis is confirmed, it is time to treat the patient. Click the Order button below the screen and order Flagyl oral, continuous We can now schedule an appointment for the patient. Let us see him in 1 week for follow-up. Diagnosis: Giardiasis End of case source first pass ________________________________________ Case #7: 5-year-old boy with recurrent nosebleeds Initial History: Essential Facts: • 5-year-old white boy • Upper respiratory tract infection 2 weeks previously, successfully treated with acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine • Recurrent nosebleeds for 24 hours, now unresponsive to direct pressure • Purpuric lesions on legs for 24 hours • No history of falls, no family history of abnormal bleeding, no previous history of similar problems • Appetite good; no signs of systemic infection

Comments Recent onset of nosebleeds and presence of purpuric lesions point to problems with coagulation. Good appetite and absence of systemic signs of infection are good signs. Initial vital signs: essentially normal Differential diagnoses at this stage: • platelet disorders (e.g immune thrombocytopenic purpura) • clotting factors disorders • blood vessel disorders Comment Platelet disorders tend to cause bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes; clotting factor disorders would be expected to cause more deep seated bleeding (e.g. into joints, hematomas). Because the abnormal bleeding is of recent onset, vascular disorders are unlikely. Clotting factors are not likely to be the cause of bleeding either, because this patient has not had similar problems in the past. The presence of purpura together with a recent history of (?viral) respiratory illness will make us consider platelet disorders. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a strong differential at this stage. Let us begin the management of the patient. Initial Orders: • Nasal packing • CBC • Prothrombin time (PT): • aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) • Serum Electrolytes • BUN • Serum Creatinine • Group and screen blood (patient might need transfusion later; let’s get serum ready) • Bleeding time (optional; see below) Comment We began with nasal packing because the patient is bleeding right now. This should relieve his anxiety for a time. Complete blood count (CBC) was ordered because we are considering platelet disorders as a possible cause of the patient’s problems. CBC will help us determine the platelet count. PT measures the integrity of the extrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation system, while aPTT helps us determine the intactness of the intrinsic and common pathways. Advance the clock by 10 minutes (not rigid; you may use 5 or even 15 minutes, if you choose) to review the patient’s condition Click on interval history and HEENT examination. You receive a message that patient is feeling better Advance the clock to the next available result our initial suspicion of thrombocytopenia is confirmed. Let us order treatment.◊ Platelet is low By now we know pretty much that this patient most probably has ITP. The most appropriate treatment for this condition is corticosteroids. Order treatment: • Prednisone, oral continuous • Write consult to pediatric hematologist • Routine, probable ITP • Reorder CBC 1 time routine (repeat for the day, subsequently 12 hourly) • Admit to the ward Diagnosis: ITP Discharge on prednisone when platelet is 50,000+ (bleeding unlikely then), and review again after a few days (say, 1 week) for a repeat determination of the CBC. It should be well close to normal. source- first pass Case #8 (from sample CD): 32-year-old black woman with pain ________________________________________ Case #2: 32-year-old black woman with pain and swelling, right knee Case Introduction: Essential Facts Patient is black, 32 years old She has a one-week history of knee pain (right) She comes to the office Comments Pain and swelling of the knee developed gradually over a period of one week. This is unlikely to be due to trauma. The differential diagnoses are too many to be listed here, so let’s learn more about the patient first. Initial Vitals: Essentially normal Initial History: Essential facts • Symptoms began 2 months ago with fatigue and generalized weakness

• Followed by generalized body aches, prolonged early morning joint stiffness, pain and occasional swelling in both wrists • Her symptoms are moderately severe, not responsive to mild analgesics • She does not engage in unsafe sexual practices Possible differential diagnoses at this stage include: • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) • Rheumatoid arthritis • Gonococcal arthropathy • Reiter’s syndrome • Osteoarthritis Comments Gonococcal arthropathy is unlikely (though remotely possible) because of her history. It is more likely in patients who engage in unsafe sexual practice4s, or those with multiple sexual partners. Osteoarthritis (OA) is also unlikely because of the duration of the stiffness. The stiffness of OA generally resolves after a few minutes, up to a maximum of 30 minutes. Reiter’s syndrome is more common in men, is associated with urethritis, uveitis and arthritis. However, this patient has neither urethral nor eye symptoms, so this differential is also unlikely. We are now left with SLE and RA. The next step is to perform physical examination. Click the Interval History and PE button on the left side of the screen, and check the following regions under Physical Examination: • • • • • • •

General Appearance (almost always necessary) Skin (Reiter’s disease has skin manifestation) Chest/Lungs Heart Cardiovascular Abdomen Extremities Genitalia

Comments Notice that we are taking our time with the physical examination. This is because the patient presented to the office, and her situation is not life threatening, so we can afford to take our time for proper examination. Physical Examination: Essential Findings • Bilateral warmth and swelling, both wrists and knees • Rest of examination normal From the foregoing, it is clear that we are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s now proceed to treatment. Click the Write Order button, and enter each of the following (one per line): • • • • •

X-ray (knee, wrist, routine (you can choose both by pressing Ctrl in Windows, and selecting both knee and writs x-rays) ESR (routine) Complete blood count (with differentials). Routine Rheumatoid factor (routine) Antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer, serum

Comments Notice that there are two choices for ANA. The first choice is ANA, serum, and the second, ANA titer, serum. ANA serum only measures the presence of ANA, while the other test quantifies the amount present in the serum, if any. We are more interested in knowing how much of ANA is in the serum, so we choose the second test. Also, note that it will take a total of six hours before all the results of these tests are available. That means we must proceed with treatment even before we see any of the results. The patient cannot sit still for six hours, untreated, while we await the results of the lab tests. Let us start with arthrocentesis. We would like to drain some fluid from the swollen knee joint. Click the Order button at the bottom of the screen and enter the following orders: • • • • • •

Arthrocentesis (confirm your choice by advancing clock for 20 minutes) On the joint fluid drained from the knee, order the following tests: rule out gout◊ Crystals (routine) rule out infections◊ Cell count (routine) Culture joint fluid (routine) Gram stain (synovial fluid is closest). Order this stat.

All the tests have now been sent to the lab. We can obtain the result of gram stain within 20 minutes. Let us advance the clock, so that this result will become immediately available. Click on Obtain Results and see patient in 20 minutes. The result of gram stain is displayed (normal in this case). We can now continue with further treatment. Click Order button at the bottom of the screen and enter: • Ibuprofen (oral, continuous) Patient may go home, for re-evaluation with results the next day. FAQ: Since we are fairly certain that this patient has RA, why can’t we just start steroid treatment right away? Answer: The big question is, what would happen to this patient if we wait to confirm our suspicions? Nothing! Remember, you are expected to manage each patient in the most standard manner possible. It is not standard practice to begin treatment of cold cases without confirming the diagnosis. Schedule an appointment for the patient for the next day (Click See patient Later button, select See Patient In and enter 1 in the

day column on the right). Continue to advance the clock until you see the results of the tests done earlier. Lab and Radiological Results: Essential Findings • X-ray, knee: inflammatory arthritis • No crystals in synovial fluid • Cell count, synovial fluid: 14,000 wbc/cmm, 35% polymorphs • ESR: 47 mm/hr • CBC: Normal • Rheumatoid factor (RF): moderately high • ANA: Negative Our next move is to do interval follow up, and check the patient’s extremities. Click Interval History, and select Interval/Follow up, Extremities. The results are essentially unchanged from before. Meanwhile, our results have confirmed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as the cause of the patient’s pain. Let us start the patient on prednisone. Click the Order button and enter • Prednisone (oral, continuous) Advance the clock by 1 day, so that we can see a lab result. Culture result is normal. Perform interval follow up once more, and examine the extremities. The results have not changed much. Since we are sure that our treatment is right, we will make no changes at this time. Give the patient an appointment for 4 or 5 days. When she arrives, take an interval history and perform an interval physical examination. The patient now feels better than before. She will continue her treatment as before, and see us in 14 days. Book her an appointment for 14 days. When she arrives, perform the appropriate assessment. You will discover that she now feels much better. Slight swelling persists. Let her continue her medication, and see us again in 14 days. At this stage, the case is about to end. We may discontinue ibuprofen, since there is no need for it at present. On the other hand, we may let her continue with it. Final diagnosis: Rheumatoid Arthritis End of case. source first pass CCS# 9 - Pregnant woman in shock, Amenorrhea, ________________________________________ Ectopic Pregnancy. Pregnant woman in shock, Amenorrhea, abd. pain, & vaginal bleed. The most common place is in the fallopian tube. Causes the ectopic pregnancy? 1. Advancing age 2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (# 1 risk factor) 3. Previous ectopic: about 10-20% of those attempting pregnancy after one ectopic will have another. 4. Tubal surgery or defects 5. Previous termination of pregnancy 6. DES exposure 7. IUD Most patient report missed period, positive pregnancy test, some abdominal pain, and some irregular vaginal bleeding. Some women report fainting or suddenly, without warning a woman is very unwell, collapses and is taken to hospital. Lab: CBC, UA, HCG, blood T&C What tests are used to diagnose ectopics? 1. Obviously first of all a pregnancy test. If the test is negative then ectopic pregnancy is virtually excluded. 2. Transvaginal ultrasound can reliably demonstrate a pregnancy in the uterus from about 5 weeks onward. If TVUS is negative and HCG is < 2000 mIU/ml repeat HCG in 48 hrs, subnormal increases Ectopic probable. Treatments? * Start IV fluid, O2, blood transfusion if required * Medical treatment: with a drug called methotrexate, which is given by injection. This makes the ectopic pregnancy shrink away by stopping the cells dividing, tube pregnacy must be small (less tan 4 cm) and low B-HCG. * Laparoscopic surgery: open the tube and remove the pregnancy (salpingotomy), or remove the tube (salpingectomy). * Laparotomy: either salpingotomy or salpingectomy performed.

CCS #10 Sickle cell crisis in 7 year old- An African American boy ________________________________________ Sickle cell crisis. An African American boy presenting with lower back pain, colicky abdominal pain and Sickle cell dx - ER There are three main types of sickle cell disorders: 1. Sickle cell anemia 2. Hemoglobin SC disease (for sickle SC disease, remember that hematuria is more commonly found in it) 3. Sickle beta-thalassemia Patients can develop many types of problems due to sickle cell disease. Anemia leads to fatigue.

Aplastic crisis: Pallor is an important sign. One should also be alert after a non-specific fever that may be due to Parvovirus B19. Parvovirus infection can precipitate Aplastic crisis. Hand-and-foot syndrome: This is usually one of the earliest signs due to infarction in the digital bones and blood vessels.. Painful episodes called "sickling crisis" usually requires opiates to abort the pain. Severe infections: Due to sickling in the splenic vessels, the spleen slowly dies due to multiple infarcts. These patients have reduced immunity (because spleen introduces antigens to the lymphocytes to evoke good antibody response). Encapsulated organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are particularly left unchecked. Splenic sequestration crisis: Spleen goes crazy and suddenly pools in and holds on to a large number of blood cells. Characterized by LUQ pain and abdominal pain. Stroke: This again is due to sickling and clogging up of capillaries. Acute chest syndrome: Fast or difficult breathing, chest pain, high fever, and coughing are symptoms of Acute Chest Syndrome.15% to 43% of sickle cell population will contract ACS. One can find hypoxia (paO2