To perform a diagnostic test we take body samples and measure the presence and quantity of a specific substance. We then compare that value to standardized ranges to help rule in or rule out the presence of pathology. One way we do this is by calculating sensitivity. A diagnostic test is accurate when: This doesContinue reading “Statistics: How to Calculate Sensitivity”
Tag Archives: pharmacy notes
Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology
The main function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood from the heart, throughout the body, and return oxygen depleted blood to the lungs. This cycle takes only 13 seconds and is interrupted in acute heart failure. The contraction of heart muscles, the resistance of blood vessels and valves all maintain the pressure andContinue reading “Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology”
How to Assess Renal Function: 3 Blood Markers & Calculations
Normal renal function supports all organs in maintaining homeostasis. The kidneys are responsible for many critical processes in the body. Filtration: the kidneys remove waste products like urea and creatinine which accumulate as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes. Fluid Balance: The kidneys regulate how much water is eliminated and reabsorbed. Which in turn contributesContinue reading “How to Assess Renal Function: 3 Blood Markers & Calculations”
Renal Injury: What You Need to Know
Normal Renal Function The kidneys has many roles including filtration of blood to remove waste. Within the kidneys waste is filtered at the glomerulus. Waste exists the kidneys via the tubules as urine. Filtered blood is returned to the body. Categories of Renal Injury There are three broad categories of renal injury based on whereContinue reading “Renal Injury: What You Need to Know”
MUDPILES: The One Shared Trait that Leads to Acidosis
MUDPILES is a long-standing acronym that is used to quickly recall the likely causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis but it usually stops right there. How do the components cause acidosis? Why is it important to know the how? Understanding vs Memorizing As our patients increasingly present with more complex comorbidities the straight pathwayContinue reading “MUDPILES: The One Shared Trait that Leads to Acidosis”
Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit to ICU and How to Treat
In this unit we will discuss the subset of patients with community acquired pneumonia who are at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality. Those patients require a high level of inpatient care and should be admitted directly to intensive care. In the unit Community Acquired Pneumonia: Inpatient Treatment we introduced the CURB 65 score.Continue reading “Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit to ICU and How to Treat”
Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit and How to Treat
In the unit Respiratory Tract Infections: Pneumonia we covered the assessment of a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of pneumonia including differentiating between the 3 main types. In the unit Community Acquired Pneumonia: Outpatient Treatment we talked about those patients who are stable enough to be treated at home. This unit focuses on theContinue reading “Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit and How to Treat”
How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient
Pneumonia is simply a type of infection of one or both lungs. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) describes the clinical scenario where signs and symptoms of a lung infection started outside of the hospital OR within 48 hours (2 days) of hospital admission. Within this timeframe, it is likely the patient encountered the bug and itContinue reading “How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient”
Navigating Pneumonia: Where and How to Treat
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract specifically the lungs. You can refer to the introduction of the study unit on SINUSITIS for a detailed discussion of the respiratory system. This study unit is based on the current Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA)Continue reading “Navigating Pneumonia: Where and How to Treat”
Cytochrome Enzymes and Glycoproteins: What You need to Know
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play a crucial role in metabolizing over 70% of clinical drugs, primarily in the liver. P-Glycoproteins (PGP) help pump foreign substances out of cells. Drug interactions with these proteins can lead to toxicity or reduced efficacy. Clinically significant drugs may induce or inhibit these proteins, requiring careful monitoring for interactions.