Crash Course: Foundation Doctor's Guide to Medicine and Surgery

The basics Your first day What to write What to say Managing your work Preparing patients for theatre What to do when things go wrong Asking for and getting help Foundation programme Introduction Why has the training of doctors changed? People to know Job selection Competencies Teaching E-portfolio Significant event analysis (SEA) Work experience and study leave Specialty exams Feedback Careers advice What to do if you are having problems And after the foundation years? Specialist and GP training Fixed-term specialist training appointments Career posts Further information Practical procedures Preparing a patient for a procedure Venepuncture Cannulation Arterial blood gas (ABG) measurement Urinary catheterization – male Urinary catheterization – female SC and IM injections ECGs and cardiac monitors Lumbar puncture Nasogastric tubes Pleural tap Giving IV drugs and fluids Ascitic tap and/or drainage (paracentesis) Chest drain insertion Chest drain removal Central line placement Drug issues Pain control Constipation Nausea and vomiting Anticoagulation Steroids Sedation Blood and blood products Medical emergencies Cardiac arrest Acute MI Acute coronary syndromes Acute left ventricular failure Arrhythmias Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Hyperosmolar non-ketotic state (HONK) Status epilepticus Meningococcal sepsis/meningitis Liver failure Upper GI bleed Acute renal failure Acute asthma Acute exacerbation of COPD Pulmonary embolism Pneumonia Pneumothorax Surgical emergencies The acute abdomen Acute appendicitis Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) Acute pancreatitis Bowel obstruction Diverticulitis Perforation Ischaemic gut Lower GI bleed Strangulated hernia Biliary colic and cholecystitis Acute limb ischaemia Testicular torsion Acute urinary retention Renal colic Medical presentations The sick patient Chest pain Acute breathlessness Hypotension Hypertension Tachycardias Bradycardias Nausea and vomiting Diarrhoea The unconscious patient ‘Off the legs’ The patient with a fever Fits Overdoses The swollen leg Confusion Collapses and falls Stroke Headache Surgical presentations Trauma Head injury Claudication Prostatism and chronic retention Groin and scrotal lumps Ulcers Varicose veins Interpreting blood results Full blood count Biochemistry ECG interpretation Patient and ECG details Heart rate Heart rhythm Cardiac Axis P waves PR interval QRS complex ST segments QT interval T waves Arrhythmias Clinical examination Cardiovascular examination Respiratory examination Abdominal examination Neurological examination Appendices Prescribing hints Glossary of abbreviations.