SAQ Stack

Short Answer Questions for ED Fellowship Study

Case: Post-thyroidectomy airway compromise

A previously well, 37-year-old female presents to your rural ED with a history of acute shortness of breath. She underwent an elective total thyroidectomy in an urban centre 3 days ago and was discharged from hospital today. The patient has no other significant comorbidities. Her current medications include 100mcg of levothyroxine (once daily) and she reports no allergies. Her initial observations at triage are documented as “stable”.

1. Other than hypocalcaemia, list four important post-operative complications of thyroidectomy. 4 marks

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2. List three clinical features associated with hypocalcaemia. 3 marks

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The patient has no clinical features to suggest hypocalcaemia. On examination the patient is noted to have an expanding swelling affecting the anterior neck, covered by a simple dressing, as well as audible stridor. They are immediately moved to a resus bed and monitoring atached.

3. Outline five immediate management steps for an expanding neck haematoma with stridor. 5 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.

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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.