A 70-year-old African American woman comes as a new patient to request clearance for her job as a day-care worker. She reports that she underwent partial lung resection and thoracoplasty to treat pulmonary TB in 1953, but she never received anti-TB therapy. We have no medical records. The patient declines purified protein derivative (PPD) testing,…
The seven-year risk of MI from diabetes was found to be the same as that of having a history of previous MI.
Women coping with migraine headaches may receive a payoff in the form of protection from another disease with a hormonal component—breast cancer.
At what age should a child be tested for hemochromatosis if the disorder has been diagnosed in the paternal grandfather? —ARLYN WASCO, MSN, CRNP, Lawrence, Pa. I assume your question refers to primary hemochromatosis (a form of hereditary hemochromatosis [HH]), which is an autosomal recessive disorder. HH is one of the most common genetic disorders,…
Topical ophthalmic antibacterial administered via sterile drops
What advice should I give women seeking information on herbal remedies for menopausal hot flushes? Is there any evidence that rhubarb extract ERr 731 is more effective than black cohosh at controlling hot flushes? What are the contraindications for the use of such treatment?—ROSEMARY TROTTA, FNP, Wadsworth, Ill. Clinical trials using standardized scales for measuring…
Cognitive tests can identify mental decline, but they do not do a very good job of differentiating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from vascular dementia, the American Psychological Association suggests.
When do the benefits of a CT scan outweigh the risks?
Level 1: Likely reliable evidence and Level 2: Mid-level evidence In 2007, guidelines published by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) recommended recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA, Alteplase) within three hours of symptom onset for selected adults with ischemic stroke (Stroke. 2007;38:1655-1711; available at stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi /reprint/38/5/1655. accessed August 12, 2009). The AHA/ASA has now…
As a veterinarian in general practice, I frequently counsel pet owners on preventing GI parasitism in their pets, especially since some of these parasites can also infect people. But do family clinicians and pediatricians make a point to discuss zoonoses with their patients?—Tracy Revoir, DVM, Lenexa, Kan. Although no strict guidelines exist, it is recommended…
