Other forums have little games, of sorts, So I figured I'd try one in this forum. You get a medical trivia question and then answer it, and fire a trivia question back. Let's see how long we can keep this up!

Question: Who invented the stethoscope?

What is the technical name for a BP Cuff?

quote:

Originally posted by McLee:
What is the technical name for a BP Cuff?

Sphygmanometer. Hell, it even says so on the package... *LOL*

Here's a better one...what is Torsades des Pointes?

quote:

stethoscope

Question: Who invented the stethoscope?

French physician named Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec

quote:

Torsades des Pointes

Ventricular tachycardia. Diagnosed by a prolonged QT wave if I remember right.


I'll come up with a question tonight

Points off for spelling, SDF: sphygmomanometer.

QUESTION: What is the likely diagnosis for this patient - moderate fever x 3 days, mild cold/flu symptoms, decreased appetite, recent outbreak of itchy rash (some with small blisters) on scalp, neck, trunk and back (nothing on extremities). Dead give-away: recent exposure to someone with same symptoms and established diagnosis.

Actually, without reference to a text (just my own faulty memory, so I'm testing it), I believe Torsades des Pointes is v-tach precipitated when the P wave falls on the T wave. The tracing looks like a progression of waves or peaks, hence the name. Am I close, SDF?

Torsades de pointes---
Prolonged QT interval may be associated or even precipitate Torsades but it is not how you diagnose Torsades.
Torsades refers to a ventricular tachycardia characterized by QRS complexes of changing amplitude that appear to twist around the isoelectric line at rates of 200-250 beats per min. Also called polymorphic VT.

quote:

QUESTION: What is the likely diagnosis for this patient - moderate fever x 3 days, mild cold/flu symptoms, decreased appetite, recent outbreak of itchy rash (some with small blisters) on scalp, neck, trunk and back (nothing on extremities). Dead give-away: recent exposure to someone with same symptoms and established diagnosis.

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My guess....chickenpox

I was trying to remember Torsades des Pointes from an old A&P case study. I'm sure my memory is faulty on it as well.

I would have to guess chickenpox too, Cider. You've stumped me so now I'm going to have to go pull out my Mercks.

Here's one for you guys:

Describe disseminated intravascular coagulation and why it is important to the pre-hospital provider.

DAMM Civ medic.. anyway from one paramedic to the other (I'm old school, mind you) I'm going to bust out with a SC answer and see what's up.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) presents as a patient that has increased paradoxical hemmorhage, bleeding into the skin and other tissues, resulting in decreased platelets and worsening hemmorhage.

In the prehospital setting one must be mindful of moving the patient with extreme care as not to further hemmorhage by "bumping" the pt, etc., minimizing venipuncture attempts and praying the 1st stick is successful. If pt is tolerating well, TX may be supportive consisting of O2/IV crystalloid/EKG. However if med control permits or condition warrants one can consider the use of blood components in the field, plasma or platelet infusion.

Am I in the ballpark? LOL

Here's a good one. We were asked this by a Dr. who has been teaching our paramedic refresher class this past week and it took me forever to rack my brain for the answers- and much badgering from other doctors.

Name the Five "FOWLS" of the thoracic cavity.

I'll start:

Vagus (Va- GOOSE)

Name the Five "FOWLS" of the thoracic cavity.

I was going to say the "Thy MOOSE" but that wouldn't work -

Perhaps the Azy GOOSE vein (the azygous vein).

drfont got the TdP question right (not surprising if he actually is a Dr). Kinda figured it'd stump everyone...apparently TdP is a relatively rare rhythm.

Oh well, there goes my one-shot of EKG interp knowledge. *LOL*

Name the Five "FOWLS" of the thoracic cavity.

How about the Loop of Henle

*ding ding ding*

Chickenpox it is, ladies and germs! Here's your next one:

WDWN adult (male or female, your choice) normally in good health presents with two-day history of fever, cough, feeling lousy. No rash, ENT nl. U/A nl. Elevated white count. You send him/her home with the usual stuff: anti-pyrrhetic, decongestant, force fluids, RTC if not improving.

He/She returns the next day, markedly worse. Some mental status changes, which make you wonder WTF was he/she thinking to drive here? Anyway, X-ray is unremarkable but for slightly widened mediastinum.

No cheating by Googling or checking a book. What's a likely diagnosis, or at least way up there in the differential diagnosis?

PS. The Loop of Henle is in the kidneys - good pun, though.

PPS. Initial intervention (hospital) for DIC is ANTI-coagulation therapy.

Bronchi-OWLS???

Heh, nice one Cider33Alpha, i know...the kidneys are retro but hey...they are in the vacinity oh well...

You are correct about DIC as well. DIC results from the formation of roleaux formations of the RBC's in the capilaries causing anaerobic metabolism and buildup of lactic acid.

I'm a bit confused.

See, I thought trivia was supposed to consist of short questions (not scenarios, Colonel ) with a relatively obscure answer likely only known by those who have expertise in a highly specialized area of knowledge. Such knowledge is generally not useful in day-to-day activities, therefore "trivial"... so games testing these areas of knowledge are therefore...trivia.

How's that for some trivia, eh?

Isn't it easier to say, "I don't know," SDF?

The answer to this particular scenario is obscure ... or used to be (hint) ... Not something seen every day. Quite rare, in fact.