SAQ Stack

Short Answer Questions for ED Fellowship Study

Case: Lithium overdose

A 55-year-old woman with a long history of bipolar disorder, presents 2 hours after ingesting 4 weeks’ worth of lithium carbonate (approx. 33.6g) in an intentional overdose 2 hours ago. She is alert, oriented and currently asymptomatic.

1. List (3) clinical effects of acute lithium poisoning. 3 marks

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2. List and justify (3) specific investigations you would order for this patient. 3 marks

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3. What is the role of decontamination in lithium toxicity? 2 marks

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4. Outline (2) treatments that may be considered for a patient suffering from acute lithium toxicity and (2) indications / rationales for each. 4 marks

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This case forms part of a collaborative marking project designed to support fellowship preparation. In the week leading up to each tutorial, you can contribute answers to any active case. If you contribute, your answers may be reviewed, marked, and used to refine the model answers during the weekly fellowship teaching sessions.

All responses are displayed anonymously or using anonymised avatars. You remain in full control of your answers and may withdraw them at any time.

Your personal results and updated model answers become available the day after the tutorial.

After the tutorial you can still do the case and self-mark your answers, but your answers will not be included in the group review.