A 32-year-old male with a history of intentional overdose was urgently admitted to the hospital after ingesting 50 regular-strength aspirin tablets. He has a past medical history of anxiety and depression. On admission, he presented with increased respiratory rate of 25 breaths per minute, blood pressure of 111/77 mmHg, and heart rate of 110 beats per minute. He was also sweating profusely with a temperature of 38.1ºC. What is the best initial course of action for his management?
A 56-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after ingesting a significant amount of prescription drugs. She was discovered at home with empty bottles of imipramine nearby. Despite appearing drowsy, she informs the doctor that she took the medications about 8 hours ago.
During the examination, the patient is found to be hypotensive, tachycardic, and drowsy. An ECG reveals a QRS width of 162ms. What treatment should be given?
A patient who is known to be a cocaine user is discovered collapsed in the waiting area. He is blue around the lips, has a pulse of 60 / min, and is taking only occasional breaths. Oxygen is administered. What is the next best course of action?
A 65-year-old man presents for a medication review after being discharged from the hospital three months ago following a cholecystectomy. He was started on new medications for hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Despite feeling well, he has noticed ankle swelling and suspects it may be a side effect of one of the new medications. During examination, his blood pressure is 124/82 mmHg, and his heart rate is 68/min irregularly irregular. Which medication is most likely causing this side effect?
A 32-year-old woman at 29 weeks gestation is admitted to the hospital with preterm labour. Her amniotic membrane has ruptured, and she delivers her baby. Following delivery, the baby experiences respiratory distress syndrome and is given artificial surfactants.
How do surfactants work physiologically to aid the baby’s breathing?
A 30-year-old man visited his doctor to determine his cardiac risk. He had a significant family history of ischaemic heart disease, and his fasting plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level was 9.9 mmol/l. He was prescribed simvastatin 40 mg to be taken at night. What is the mode of action of simvastatin?
What is the most suitable mechanism to describe the action of fibrates?
A 32-year-old woman presents to her doctor with symptoms of depression. She has been feeling withdrawn and neglectful of herself, with poor sleep and reduced appetite. Upon diagnosis of a depressive episode, her doctor prescribes citalopram 20 mg daily. What is the primary mechanism of action of citalopram?
An 80-year-old man presents with a four-week history of increasing fatigue and palpitations on exertion. He has a medical history of myocardial infarction and biventricular heart failure and is currently taking ramipril 5mg, bisoprolol 5mg, aspirin 75 mg, and atorvastatin 80 mg. During examination, his heart rate is 98/min irregularly irregular, and his blood pressure is 172/85 mmHg. An ECG confirms the diagnosis of new atrial fibrillation. What medication should be avoided in this patient?
A 60-year-old woman with localised breast cancer is considering starting tamoxifen therapy. She has a history of well-controlled hypertension (on amlodipine) and underwent a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy 3 years ago. What is the most crucial aspect for the woman to be informed about regarding the proposed treatment?