Cardiovascular
Summary of Common Conditions Seen in OSCEs Hints and Tips for the Exam Identifying Valvular Lesions Trying to learn all the murmurs and all the conditions associated with them is…
Abdominal distension
Summary of Common Conditions Seen in OSCEs Hints and Tips for the Exam Remember the ‘5 Fs and 1 T’ of Abdominal Distension (Figure 31.1) Fat (hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease) Fluid…
Abdominal pain
Summary of Common Conditions Seen in OSCEs Causes of abdominal pain can be broadly divided into acute and chronic. Acute Abdominal Pain Chronic Abdominal Pain Investigations to Consider for Abdominal…
Insertion of nasogastric tube
Summary of Key Points for OSCEs Indications and Contraindications for NG Tube Insertion Indications Contraindications Gastric emptying, e.g. bowel obstruction, ileus Patient refusal Enteral nutrition Basal skull fracture or other…
Measuring peak expiratory flow rate
Summary of Key Points for OSCEs Peak flow rate is measured using a simple peak flow meter that consists of a long cylindrical tube and a disposable mouth piece (Figure…
Advanced life support
Summary of Key Points for OSCEs The Algorithm The key to doing well in this station is following the Resuscitation Council (UK) algorithms to the letter. For advanced life support…
Arterial blood gas analysis
Performing an ABG and being able to interpret the results is a hugely important skill, especially for the FY1 on call who has been bleeped to review a sick patient…
Haematemesis
Summary of Common Conditions Seen in OSCEs Condition Key points Management* Oesophageal varices Due to portosystemic shunting of bloodOther shunts: Caput medusae (veins around umbilicus) Rectal varicesCauses: Cirrhosis Schistosomiasis BandingSclerotherapyBalloon…
