Remembering Important Information

Remembering Important Information

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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)
Kernig's Sign

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)
Think LOW: hypotension, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, Low energy, Low weight. Only Hypers are Hyperpigmentation and hyperkalemia.

↑ 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)
Know your asthma attack symptoms

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)
Priority Action: Use short-acting beta agonist (Albuterol)

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