MLA Domain 5 · Presentation

Agitation

6 conditions in Finalist present this way. Work down the list and ask what would separate each one from the next — that discriminator is the exam question.

classic presentation · 2

Alcohol withdrawal and opioid withdrawal

Delirium tremens and withdrawal seizures are medical emergencies; suspected Wernicke’s → immediate parenteral thiamine

Thyroid storm & myxoedema coma

Storm: hyperthermia + cardiovascular collapse/arrhythmia. Myxoedema: hypothermia + CO2 retention + coma

recognised feature · 4

Airway compromise / stridor

Exhaustion, cyanosis, falling GCS, silent chest = peri-arrest airway → immediate senior airway support

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Severe distress, rising respiratory/heart rate then a falling rate and drowsiness/cyanosis = exhaustion → impending obst

Salicylate (aspirin) overdose

Severe acidosis, very high levels, altered consciousness, seizures, renal failure → haemodialysis

Tricyclic antidepressant overdose

QRS >100–120 ms, ventricular arrhythmia, seizures, hypotension, metabolic acidosis