Pharmacotherapy Cases
Pharmacotherapy Cases
Pharmacotherapy Cases
SH HEENT
Normocephalic, no scleral icterus, no sinus
Lives in a nursing home due to dementia
tenderness
1
Lungs Other
Decreased air entry in the bases, otherwise clear, ECG: sinus tachycardia (HR 122), QRS 98/QT-
tachypnea QTc 358/425
CV Clinical Course
Tachycardia, regular rhythm, no murmur, gallop, or After several hours in the ED, Ms Carter’s blood
edema pressure failed to improve despite receiving 2 L of
normal saline. Her mental status did not improve,
Abdomen and her urinary output has been approximately 50
Soft, NT/ND, normal bowel sounds, no masses mL over past 3 hours (via foley catheter). She was
intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation
secondary to respiratory failure and concern for
Musculoskeletal
airway protection due to her mental status. The
Normal range of motion and strength, no intensivist is called to evaluate the patient. The
tenderness or swelling intravenous medications she received in the ED
included:
Neuro
Responsive to painful stimuli at this time, unable to • Normal saline 2 L
assess further
• Etomidate 20 mg
Labs • Succinylcholine 75 mg
• Midazolam 2 mg
• Norepinephrine 15 mcg/min continuous
Na 135 mEq/L Mg 2.2 mg/dL WBC 19.3 × Arterial blood gases
infusion begun
103/mm3
• Ceftriaxone 2 g × 1 dose
SCr 2.3 mg/dL AST 15 IU/L Hgb 12.2 g/dL Lactate 6.3 mmol/L
Urinalysis
Color yellow, appearance cloudy, WBC 120/hpf,
RBC 5/hpf, leukocyte esterase (+), nitrite (+),
epithelial cells 3–5/hpf, pH 5, bacteria 15/hpf
2
B. Lower Urinary Tract Infection Physical Examination
None Pelvic
3
Labs
Urinalysis
Yellow, cloudy; pH 5.0; WBC 50 cells/hpf; RBC 1–5
cells/hpf; protein (–); trace blood; glucose (–);
leukocyte esterase (+); nitrite (+); many bacteria
Urine Culture
Not performed
Assessment
4
C. Osteomyelitis Physical Examination
PMH
HEENT
Patient reports chronic back pain starting
PERRL, conjunctivae clear. Poor dentition noted.
approximately 10 years ago. He does not routinely
seek medical care and does not report any other
Neck/Lymph Nodes
chronic conditions.
No lymphadenopathy
FH
Lungs/Thorax
Noncontributory
Clear to auscultation bilaterally, no wheezing,
SH rhonchi, or rales
The patient has smoked one pack of cigarettes per
CV
day for the past 20 years. He admits to IV heroin use
for the past 3–4 years. Regular rate and rhythm; no appreciable murmurs,
gallops, or rubs
Meds
Abd
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen as needed for back
pain; the patient has increased use of these Soft, nontender, nondistended; bowel sounds
medications over the past week. present
All Genit/Rect
No known allergies Genitalia normal
ROS MS/Ext
The patient denies nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, Decreased dorsiflexion on the left foot, which the
chest pain, shortness of breath, and bowel or patient states is chronic. He has reproducible pain
bladder incontinence. He reports decreased oral in the thoracic spine.
intake over the past week due to pain and general
malaise. Neurologic
5
Cranial nerves II–XII are intact.
Assessment
Psychiatric
Oriented to person, place, and time. Mood and 1. Paravertebral abscess and osteomyelitis in
affect are appropriate.
the presence of chronic back pain; soft-
Labs tissue infection on the left lateral leg
2. Substance use disorder—heroin
Na 136 mEq/L Hgb 13.7 g/dL
3. Chronic tobacco smoker
K 4.0 mEq/L Hct 41.1%
Cl 102 mEq/L Plt 341 × 103/mm3
CO2 25 mEq/L WBC 22.7 × 103/mm3
BUN 18 mg/dL Neutros 71%
SCr 0.87 mg/dL Bands 17%
Glu 120 mg/dL Lymphs 3%
Ca 9.4 mg/dL Monos 9%
ESR 73 mm/hr
CRP 84.2 mg/L
MRI
MRI shows T2–T3 osteomyelitis and paravertebral
abscess.
Cultures
• CT guided paravertebral abscess
aspiration culture: S. aureus
• Wound culture of leg: S. aureus
• Blood Culture: (2/2) S. aureus
Staphylococcus aureus from all sources
Cefazolin Susceptible
Clindamycin Susceptible
Oxacillin Susceptible
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole Susceptible
0.5 mg/L
6
D. Clostridioides difficile Infection Medications
PMH Lungs/Thorax
HTN Abd
Abdomen is soft and nondistended, diffusely tender
s/p MI 2003
to palpation. Slight rebound and guarding. Positive
bowel sounds.
SH
7
Not performed Assessment
Labs
103/mm3 mg/dL
103/mm3
(baseline 0.9
mg/dL)
CXR
Clear
ECG