SAQ Stack

Short Answer Questions for ED Fellowship Study

Case: Lethargy and dizziness

An 87-year-old male from home, presents with 3 days of lethargy and intermittent dizziness. He has a history of type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. His medications include metformin, atenolol and irbesartan. He still drives and works as a part-time handyman. Current observations are as follows :

  • GCS 15
  • BP 110/75
  • RR 18
  • Sats 94% RA
T 35.5

Lethargy and dizziness

1. Give your overall interpretation of the ECG 1 mark

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He has a VBG taken on room air: pH 7.214 Na 140 pCO2 54.4 K 7.1 HCO3- 20 Cl 100 Hb 129 Ca 1.19 Creat 212 Gluc 9.3 Lact 5.8

2. State (3) abnormalities on this ABG and provide (2) explanations for each 6 marks

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3. List (4) investigations you would perform, including a clinical indication for each 4 marks

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4. State (6) points of your immediate management plan while awaiting the results of your investigations 6 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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