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Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Embolism
“PE CLOTS” Signs & Symptoms
- P: Pleuritic chest pain (sharp, worsens with breathing)
- E: Elevated heart rate (tachycardia)
- C: Cough (may produce blood-tinged sputum)
- L: Low oxygen levels (hypoxia, shortness of breath)
- O: Onset sudden (symptoms appear quickly)
- T: Temperature elevation (fever, mild)
- S: Swelling in one leg (deep vein thrombosis sign)
“CLOTS” Treatment
- C: Clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics for severe cases)
- L: Low molecular weight heparin (anticoagulant therapy)
- O: Oxygen therapy (to improve oxygen levels)
- T: Treat the cause (e.g., underlying DVT)
- S: Surgical intervention (embolectomy or filters in severe cases)
Meningitis
“SMART Neck Flexion”
- S: Stiff neck (nuchal rigidity)
- M: Mental changes (confusion, irritability, lethargy)
- A: Aching head (severe headache)
- R: Rash (especially petechial in meningococcal meningitis)
- T: Temperature (fever)
- Neck: Brudzinski’s sign (neck flexion causing hip and knee flexion)
- Flexion: Kernig’s sign (pain/resistance when flexed hip is extended at the knee)
Cushing's Syndrome: High Cortisol
“CUSHING”
- C: Central obesity (weight gain around the abdomen)
- U: Unusual hair growth (hirsutism in women)
- S: Skin changes (thin skin, stretch marks, bruising)
- H: High blood sugar and hypertension (diabetes and high BP)
- I: Infections (weakened immune system)
- N: Neck fat pad (buffalo hump)
- G: Glucose intolerance (hyperglycemia)
Addison's Disease: Low Cortisol
“ADDISONS”
- A – Anorexia (loss of appetite and weight loss)
- D – Darkening of skin (hyperpigmentation)
- D – Dizziness (due to low blood pressure)
- I – Increased potassium (electrolyte imbalance)
- S – Salt craving (due to low sodium levels)
- O – Overall fatigue (tiredness, weakness)
- N – Nausea (gastrointestinal issues)
- S – Syncope (fainting due to low blood pressure)
↑ Intracranial Pressure
“PRESSURE”
- P: Projectile vomiting (without nausea)
- R: Reduced level of consciousness
- E: Edema of the optic disc (papilledema)
- S: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- S: Slow pulse and irregular breathing (Cushing’s triad)
- U: Unusual posturing (decorticate or decerebrate)
- R: Reactive pupils become abnormal (sluggish or unequal)
- E: Elevated systolic blood pressure (widened pulse pressure)
Hyperthyroidism
“S.W.E.A.T.I.N.G.”
- S – Sweating: Excessive sweating and heat intolerance.
- W – Weight loss: Despite an increased appetite.
- E – Exophthalmos: Bulging eyes (common in Graves’ disease).
- A – Appetite increase: Increased hunger despite weight loss.
- T – Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate or palpitations.
- I – Irritability: Increased nervousness or mood swings.
- N – Nervousness: Anxiety, tremors, and restlessness.
- G – Goiter: Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism
“HASHIMOTO’S”
- Hypothermia (cold intolerance)
- Apathy (depression)
- Slow heart rate
- Hair thinning
- Increased weight
- Memory problems (brain fog)
- Obsession with sleep (fatigue)
- Thin skin, dry skin
- Observed constipation
- Swelling (myxedema)
Asthma Symptoms
“WHEEZY BREATH”
- Wheezing
- Hyper-resonance (on percussion)
- Exertional dyspnea (difficulty breathing during activity)
- Episodic shortness of breath
- Zero relief from triggers (e.g., allergens, cold air, exercise)
- Yearning for air (feeling breathless)
- Bronchospasm
- Respiratory distress (severe cases)
- Expiration prolonged (harder to breathe out)
- Accessory muscle use
- Tight chest feeling
- Hypoxemia (low oxygen in blood, severe cases)
Asthma Treatment
“ASTHMA PLAN”
- Albuterol (short-acting bronchodilator for quick relief)
- Steroids (inhaled or systemic for inflammation control)
- Trigger avoidance (dust, pollen, smoke, etc.)
- Humidifier (can help with dryness and irritation)
- Monitor peak flow (to track lung function)
- Anticholinergics (e.g., ipratropium for bronchodilation)
- Prevention medications (e.g., long-acting beta-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids)
- Leukotriene modifiers (e.g., montelukast)
- Action plan (personalized plan for managing exacerbations)
- Nebulizer use (for severe attacks or young children)
Prioritizing
“Always Be Calm During Emergencies” (ABCDE):
- A: Airway (Is the airway clear?)
- B: Breathing (Is the patient breathing adequately? Drug overdose?)
- C: Circulation (Is the heart functioning? Check for bleeding or shock.)
- D: Disability (Is there decrease blood flow to an extremity? Potential for amputation?)
- E: Exposure (Ensure the patient is safe from environmental threats, such as cold or heat.)
Drugs