Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a condition characterised by an obstruction of the pulmonary arterial system by one or more emboli. Advanced clinical practitioners are often faced with ruling out a diagnosis of PE in patients with non-specific symptoms such as dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain, which can be fairly mild and therefore a diagnosis of PE easily missed. PEs can be a challenge to diagnose, especially in elderly people, since it can be difficult to differentiate their symptoms from other less serious illnesses. Widely used scoring tools are helpful to calculate a patient's probability of having a PE. The Wells score is the most widely used pre-test clinical probability indicator of PE used in the UK, which scores the patient's probability of having a PE based on their risk factors. The D-dimer test is a relatively simple investigation to rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE) but can be raised for various reasons other than PE. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is regarded as the gold standard imaging modality for investigation of acute PE but ventilation-perfusion (VQ) scans can be used as an alternative imaging technique for diagnosing PE in those where CTPA is contraindicated. Thrombolysis is underused in clinical practice due to the fear of adverse bleeding events. Patients without a massive or sub-massive PE are treated with anticoagulant therapy, usually commencing with subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin and switching over to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). There has been a shift away from treatment with warfarin for the prevention and treatment of VTE over the past decade.
Although relatively uncommon, Ludwig's angina is a potentially life-threatening infection of the floor of the mouth and neck. There is a danger of airway obstruction by swelling in the area and displacement of the tongue, and patients are at risk of deterioration. There are many factors thought to place patients at an increased risk of developing the condition. These include recent dental treatment, dental caries or generally poor dentition, chronic disease such as diabetes, alcoholism and malnutrition, and patients with compromised immune systems (eg AIDS, organ transplantation). This article examines the aetiology of Ludwig's angina and considers the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a patient who presented to an out-of-hours streaming area of a local emergency department, with an emphasis on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. It also considers the need for ongoing education and awareness of health professionals to ensure the successful diagnosis, management and treatment of this condition, particularly in the context of patients with poor access to dental care presenting first to the emergency department.
Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) are being recruited in England to improve care continuity and safety, meet complex needs and ease workforce pressures. These roles are open to experienced, registered health professionals from a variety of backgrounds. This significant career change typically involves a transitional training programme. This article explores the challenges presented by this transition and how they can be overcome. Attaining the postgraduate qualification can be daunting for those who have been outside academic education, especially the initial degree module. The generalist ACP role can be confused with that of clinical nurse specialist, and an ambiguous role identity can cause problems for management, expectations and morale. Trainee ACPs gain wide experience from ward rotations, although they can specialise in some areas. Thus, trainees experience de-skilling as they go from being an expert in one role to a novice in another, as well as potentially developing imposter syndrome. Trainees may be anxious about being expected to fulfil the competencies of a qualified ACP, and their trainee status should be evident in their uniform. Those entering advanced practice can face interpersonal hostility and institutional resistance. Any bullying should be addressed directly, and potential misconceptions should be clarified. There is no overarching national regulatory body for ACPs, and relevant guidelines can diverge. While a clinical supervision assesses a trainee's performance, a separate mentor should support their learning and develop their competence and confidence, especially in the first year. Mentorships should be defined and structured. Trainees can be supported by experienced qualified ACPs. Flexible individual induction plans, with information spaced throughout the year, can help overcome these challenges, and these should make the most of the trainee's achievements in their previous role.
Lower urinary tract infections account for more than 224 000 hospital admissions each year and nearly all of these have the pathophysiological possibility to develop into pyelonephritis, known clinically as an upper urinary tract infection. Acute pyelonephritis is characterised by inflammation of the renal parenchyma caused by bacteriuria ascending from the bladder, up the ureters to the kidneys. Effective history taking, combined with refined physical examination skills, are the two most powerful tools to differentiate upper and lower urinary tract infections as well as assisting the practitioner to exclude other differential diagnoses. Utilisation of these skills by the practitioner, together with the recognised presenting symptom triad of flank pain, fever and nausea in this case study, enabled the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis to be given.
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