Basicmedical Key

14 Endocrinology and Diabetes Diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of chronic hyperglycaemia due to relative insulin deficiency or resistance or both. Case history (1) You are telephoned by…

17 Dermatology A swollen red leg Case history The A&E officer asks you to come and see a 50-year-old man who is unwell and has a red, swollen leg. He…

4 Gastroenterology Vomiting Vomiting centres are located on the lateral reticular formation of the medulla and are stimulated by chemoreceptors trigger zones on the floor of the 4th ventricle and…

7 Care of the Elderly Blackouts This implies either altered consciousness, with or without falling, or sometimes a visual disturbance. Case history An 86-year-old woman is brought into A&E with…

12 ITU Shock Case history (1) A 60-year-old bank manager presents with crushing central chest pain. This started 45 minutes ago and has remained constant ever since. On examination he…

5 Liver and Biliary Tract Disorders Abnormal liver biochemistry ‘Liver function tests’ are routinely requested. Serum bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl, transpeptidase (γ-GT) and total proteins are measured. These are…

13 Poisoning Self-poisoning This is a common problem, leading to over 100 000 hospital admissions in England and Wales per annum. It is also a problem in developing countries: in cities,…

1 Infectious Diseases Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) Pyrexia of unknown origin (sometimes called fever of unknown origin, FUO) is best defined as a fever persisting for more than 2…

3 Nutrition Feeding the patient Case history A surgical colleague phones you to ask about parenteral nutrition for a 70-year-old man who had an oesophago-gastrectomy 5 days previously. Postoperative care…