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Study Guide For OBGYN
Study Guide For OBGYN
Dating Age (not used except on tests!): weeks and days from fertilzation; GA 2 weeks greater than DA
Naegles Rule: For EDC: LMP 3 months + 7 days + 1 year
Ultrasound: can be 1 week off in the first trimester, 2 weeks off in the second trimester, 3 weeks in the
third trimester so if your US differs from the EDC by LMP more than this, accept the US dating over
the LMP dating. In the first half of the first trimester, use the Crown Rump Length (CRL) which is within
3 5 days of accuracy.
Doppler: can get FHT (fetal heart tones) at 12 weeks
Quickening: at 16 20 weeks (mom feels the baby move)
Signs and Sx of Pregnancy:
a. Chadwicks Sign-blue hue of cervix
b. Goodells Sign softening and cyanosis of cx at 4 weeks
c. Laddins Sign softening of uterus after 6 weeks
d. Breast swelling and tenderness
e. Linea nigra
f. Palmar erythema
g. Telangiectasias
h. Nausea
i. Amenorrhea, obviously
j. Quickening
Normal Changes in Pregnancy:
1. CV
a. CO inc by 30-50% @ max 20 40 weeks
b. SVR dec secondary to inc. progesterone and therefore smooth muscle relaxation
c. BP dec: systolic down 5 10/ diastolic down 10 15 until 24 weeks then slowly returns.
2. Pulmonary:
a. TV inc 30 40%
b. Minute Vent inc 30 40%
c. TLC dec 5% secondary to elevation of diaphragm
d. PA O2 and pa O2 inc; dec pA CO2 and pa CO2
3. GI:
a. Nausea and vomiting in 70% - inc. estrogen, progesterone and HCG; resolves by 14 16
w
b. Reflux dec. GE sphincter tone
c. Dec lower intestinal motility, inc water reabsorption and therefore constipation
4. Renal
a. Kidneys increase in size
b. Ureters dilate increased risk of pyelonephritis
c. GFR inc 50% - BUN, Crt dec 25%
5. Heme
a. Plasma volume inc by 50%, RBC vol inc 20 30% - drop in Hct
b. WBC still nl at 10 20 in labor
c. Hypercoaguability
d. Inc. fibrinogen, inc factors 7 10, dec 11 13
e. Slight dec in plt, slight dec in PT/PTT
6. Endocrine
a. Inc estrogen from palcenta; dec from ovaries low estrogen levels assn with fetal death
and anencephaly
b. Progesterone is produced by corpus luteum then the palcenta
c. HCG doubles roughly every 48 hours; peaks at 10 12 weeks; the alpha subunit looks
like LH, FSH and TSH but the beta subunit differs
d. Inc in thyroid binding globulins
7. Musculoskeletal/Derm Spider angiomata, melasma, linea nigra, palmar erythema
a. Change in the center of gravity low back pain.
8. Nutrition 2000 2500 cal/day
need to increase protein, calcium and iron- an iron supplement is needed in
the second trimester. 30 mg of elemental iron is recommended
i. folate is necessary early on to prevent nueral tube defect (spina bifida) 400 mcg
per day is recommended in women without seizure meds or previous infant with
neural tube defect (4g are recommended then)
ii.
First Trimester: CBC, Blood Type and Screen, RPR, Rubella, Hep B s Ag, HIV, UA/Cx, GC, Chl, PPD, Pap
Smear (without cytobrush)
Appt q mo.
Doppler FHT @ 10 12 w
OK Drugs: Tylenol, Benadryl, Phenergan
Routine labs q visit: FHT, Fundus height, Urine dip (prt, bld, glucose, etc), weight, BP
Second Trimester: MSAFP/Triple Screen @ 15 18 wks, OSullivan @ 24 28 weeks
Quickening at 17 19 week
Glucose Tolerance Test Values: OSullivan: 50 g glucose normal: under 140; if over then
perform 100 g glucose tolerance test
Fasting
105
1 hour
190
2 hours
165
3 hours
145
Rhogam @ 28 weeks
Third Trimester: RPR, CBC, Group B Strep 35-37 weeks (if not scheduled for repeat cesarean), cervical
exam every week after 37 weeks or the onset of contractions
Labor precautions: Go to L&D if you have contractions every 5 minutes, if you feel a sudden
gush of fluid, if you dont feel the baby move for 12 hours, or if you have bleeding like a period.
Its normal to have mucus or a pink discharge in the weeks preceding your labor.
Routine Problems
Back Pain
Hemorrhoids
Pica (cravings)
Edema
of Pregnancy:
GERD
Varicose Veins
Dehydration
Frequency
Constipation
Braxton Hicks
Round ligament pain (inguinal pain, worse on
walkingTX: Tylenol, heating pad, Maternity belt)
21 yo G2P1001 at 28 2/7 by 8 week ultrasound (always include dating criteria) complaining of inguinal
pain on walking. Denies contractions, vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, and has fetal movement
(the cardinal questions of obstetrics).
BP 110/68 Urine: trace protein (pregnant women usually have trace protein) neg glucose
Fundal Height(FH): (measured from the pubic symphysis to fundus- correlates within 1-2 cm unless
obese) 29cm
Fetal Heart Tones (FHT): 140s (count them out on your watch in the beginning; normal 120s-160s)
Extremities: no calf tenderness (any results of recent ultrasounds, lab work here)
A/P:
1. IUP at 28 2/7: size appropriate for dates
2. Round Ligament Pain: recommended maternity belt
3. RH Neg: Rhogam 300 mcg IM today
3. Continue PNV/ Fe, discussed preterm labor precautions
4. O Sullivan today
I.M. Student, L3
Complaints:
Discharge do cultures, wet prep (look for trich); mucus normal at term
The baby doesnt move at times babies go through normal sleep cycles. As long as it moves
every couple of hours, thats fine. Kick counts- lie on side and count the amount of kicks in one
hour after dinner- should be over 10.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Most common place ampulla of the fallopian tubes; also located in ovary, abd wall, cervix,
bowel
Risk factors: Infx of tube, PID, IUD use, previous tubal surgery, assited reproduction
Occur in 1/100 pregnancies
SS: episodic lower abd pain
o Abnormal bleeding: due to inadequate progesterone support
o HCG decreased: normally, HCG doubles every other day; in ectopics it doesnt
o Unilateral tenderness
o +/- mass
o Cullens sign (periumbical Hematoma)
o U/S finding- complex adenexal mass, can see sac or fetus, even
TX: Methotrexate 50 mg/m2 if <4 cm, unruptured: follow serial HCGs 4 and 7 days later. You
want the value to drop 15% between days 4 and 7. If it doesnt, you give another dose of
methotrexate. If the mass is > 4 cm then salpingostomy or salpingectomy (if patient is stable,
can do this laparoscopically; if not needs emergent laparotomy)
Arias-Stella Rxn: assn with ectopic pregnancy; endometrial change that looks like clear cell
carcinoma (but is not cancerous)
Spontaneous Abortions ( <20 weeks)
Occur in 15 25% of pregnancies
60% assoc with abn chromosomes (#1 cause: Trisomy 16, #2: Monosomy X)
RF if recurrent: infx, maternal anatomic defects, Antiphospholipid Sd; endocrine problems (of
mom), previous miscarriage
LABS to do: bHCG, CBC, type and screen, US; give Rhogam if Rh Definitions:
o Threatened AB intrauterine pregnancy with bleeding; closed cervix needs initial
obstetric visit
o Missed AB Fetal death without passage of products of conception; no FHT by 8 weeks
o Inevitable AB dilated cervix, proceeds to complete or incomplete
o Incomplete AB products not all out do a D&C
o Complete AB Products all out; need to follow BHCG until 0 to make sure it was not a
hydatidiform mole or choriocarcinoma
SS: bleeding, crampy abdominal pain (always ask if clot or whitish tissue was passed)
Abortion @ 6 8 week: 1. Trisomies
2. Turners Sd (45X)
Habitual Ab: 3 Abs in a row
TX: McDonalds Cerclage: a pursestring nonabsorpable suture around cervix: remove at term;
also could manage expectantly; BEDREST give steroids and Abx to dec infx and inc fetal lung
maturity and tocolyze contractions; Both McDonald and Shirodkar are near the internal os
Shirodkar stitch just tunnels under the cervical epithelium.
Causes of 2nd Trimester Abs: infx, mat anat defects, cervical defects, systemic dz, fetotoxic
agents, trauma (chromosomes occur in second trimester, but not as frequently as first trimester)
Chromosome Stuf
Trisomies: 13 Edwards, 18 Patou, 21 Downs
Autosomal Dominant Dz: Neurofibromatosis, von Willebrands, Achondroplasia, Osteogenesis
imperfecta
X Linked Dz: Muscular Dystrophy, G6PD Def, hemophilia
Recessive Dz: 12 OH Adrenal hyperplasia
McCune Albright: polyostotic fibrous dysplasia: degeneration of long bones, sexual precocity,
caf au lait spots (tx precocious puberty with medroxyprogesterone acetate)
Statistical Stuf
Maternal Mortality = mat death/100,000 live births
Fertility rate = # live births/1000 females 15 44
Birth rate = # live births / 1000 people
Antepartum Fetal Surveillance
NST = Non Stress Test: to be reactive need 2 accelerations, of 15 beats per minute for 15
seconds in 20 minute strip; if nonreactive, baby can be sleeping give mom juice do a BPP
(think about sedatives, narcotics, CNS/CV abnormalities)
BPP = biophysical profile; on U/S 8 pts good/ 4 pts bad
NST
AFI (amniotic Fluid Index)
Fetal Breathing
Movements
Fetal Extremity
Movements
Fetal Tone
Give 2 points
Reactive
one 2 by 2 cm pocket
Last over 30 seconds
Give 0 points
< 2 accels
no pocket seen
< 30 seconds
3 or more episodes
Under 3 episodes
Extended at rest
through the IUPC with normal saline- You cannot tell how strong a contraction is with the
tocometer. You need an IUPC to count MonteVideoUnits.Over 200 MVUs is considered adequate.
Fetal Scalp pH; take blood from scalp for nonreassuring factors, fetal hypoxia (not really done
anymore)
PH over 7.25 is reassuring; 7.2 7.25 indeterminate <7.2 bad
Labor
DATING
Menstrual History: 40 weeks from LMP (Naegles rule: LMP + 7 days 3 months)
Uterine Size:
o 10 Weeks grapefruit size
o 20 weeks is at umbilicus
o 20 33 weeks matched dates +- 2 cm of Fundal Height
o may not match at term due to descent
Ultrasound: is most accurate at 8 12 weeks
Dating Criteria for delivery: determines whether lungs are considered mature for delivery
1. FHT documented 30 weeks by Doppler.
2. 36 weeks since UPT positive.
3. US of CRL at 6-11 weeks makes gestational age >39 weeks.
4. US of under 20 weeks supports gestational age >39 weeks.
STAGES OF LABOR
First: beginning of contractions to complete cervical dilation
o Latent to approx. 4 cm (or acceleration in dilation)
o Active to 10 cm complete; prolonged if slower than 1.2 cm/hr null/1.5 cm/h multip; if
prolonged, do amniotomy, start pitocin, place IUPC to evaluate contraction strength
o Failure to progress no change despite 2 hours of adequate labor (MVU >200)
Second: complete dilation to the delivery of baby
o Prolonged if 2 hours multip/ 3 hours nullip (with epidural) or 2 hours nullip/1 hour
multip (no epid)
Third: delivery of baby to delivery of placenta
o Can take up to 30 mins
o Signs include increase in cord length, gush of blood, uterine fundal rebound
Fourth: one hour post delivery
3 PS OF LABOR
1. Power: nl contractions felt best at fundus; last 45-50 seconds; 3 in 10 minutes
2. Passenger:
a. Presentation what is at the cervix (head (vertex), breech)
b. Position OA, OP, LOT, ROT
c. Attitude relationship of baby to itself
d. Lie long axis of baby to long axis of mom
e. Engagement biparietal diameter has entered the pelvic inlet
f. Station presenting parts relationship to ischial spine (-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3)
3. Pelvimetry:
a. Inlet: Diagonal Conjugate symphysis to sacral promontory = 11.5 cm
Obstetrical Conjugate shortest diameter = 10 cm
b. Midplane: spines felt as prominent or dull
c. Outelt: Bituberous Diameter = 8.5 cm
Subpubic Angle less than 40 degrees
FORCEPS
Outlet forceps: requirements
visible scalp
Skull on pelvic floor
Occiput Anterior or Posterior
Fetal head on perineum : can see without separating labia
Adequate anesthesia; bladder drained
Maximum 45 degrees of rotation
Low forceps:
station 2 but skull not on pelvic floor
Cm
Effacement
Station
Consistency
0
1
2
3
0
1-2
3-4
4-5
0-30%
30-50%
60-70%
>80%
-3
-2
-1,0
+1, +2
Firm
Med
Soft
Position of
cx
Post
Mid
Ant
Prostaglandins: dilate cervix and inc contractions: Prepidil, Cervidil, Cytotec: contraindicated in
prior CS, nonreassuring fetal monitoring
Laminaria: an osmotic dilator, is actually seaweed!
Amniotomy: speeds labor; beware of prolapsed cord!
Oxytocin: 10 U in 1000 ml IV piggyback on pump @ 2 m U/min; if over 40 mU/min are used
watch for SIADH
Augmentation of labor needed in inadequate ctx, prolonged phases
DELIVERY
Crowning - Ritgens maneuver (hand pressure on perineum to flex head) Head out:, check for
nuchal cord (cord around neck) delivery anterior shoulder gently by pulling straight downsuction nares and mouth with bulb deliver posterior shoulder clamp cord with 2 Kellys, cut
with scissors, hand off baby get cord blood gentle traction on cord with suprapubic pressure,
massage moms uterus retract placenta out and inspect it inspect mom for tears, visualize
complete cervix
Episiotomy repair (1 2 degree midline) 2 0 Chromic or Vicryl locking suture superiorly to
repair vaginal mucousa interrupted chromics to repair deep fascia if needed simple running to
repair mid fascia sub Q stitch inferiorly and superficially
A third degree tear involves the rectal sphincter; a fourth degree tear involves rectal
mucousa
Midline episiotomy: can extend, but has less dyspareunia; Mediolateral episiotomy is done at 5 or
7 oclock, but has more pain and infx but less chance of extension (consider if shoulder dystocia)
Shoudler Dystocia
RF: macrosomia, DM, obese, post dates, prolonged second stage.
Compl: fracture, brachial plexus injury, hypoxia, death
Treatment:
1. Suprapubic Pressure (not fundal pressure!)
2. McRoberts mom flexes hips knees to chin level
3. GENTLE traction
4. Woods Corkscrew pressure behind post shoulder to dislodge the ant shoulder
5. Rubin maneuver pressure on accessible shoulder to push it to ant chest of fetus to
decrease biacromial diameter
6. Fracture clavicle away from baby
7. try to deliver posterior arm
CARDINAL MOVEMENTS
Engagement fetal head enters pelvis
Flexion smallest diameter to pelvis
Descent vertex to pelvis
Internal Rotate sag suture is parallel to AP
FETAL VESSEL RUPTURE: occurs usually with a velamentous cord insertion between amnion and
chorion; may pass over os=vasa previa (Perinatal mortality 50%)
SS: vag bleeding, sinusoidal variation of HR
RF: mult gestation (1% singleton, 10% twins, 50% triplets)
NON OBSTETRIC CAUSES OF ANTEPARTUM HEMORRHAGE
Cervictis, polyps, neoplasms, vag laceration, vag varicies, vag neoplasms, abd pelvic trauma, congenital
bleeding d/o
Preterm Labor
RF: low SES, nonwhite, <18 yo, mult gest, h/o preterm birth, smoking, cocaine, no PNC uterine
malformation, h/o CKC, Group B strep, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, BV
SURVIVAL: 23 w 0-8%
24w 15-20%
25w 50-60%
26-28w 85%
29w
90%
ALGORITHM:
Good Dates
<24w
Sab
24-34w
Tocoysis, Steroids
>34w
Expectant management
Chorioamnionitis
Def: infection of amniotic fluid
Requires delivery; increased risk with inc. length of rupture of membranes
SS: fever > 38 c, inc WBC, tachycardia, uterus tender, foul discharge
TX: Ampicillin and Gentamycin, add Clindamycin if c/s, DELIVERY
Most common cause of neonatal sepsis
Endometritis
RF: prolonged labor, PROM, more c/s than vag delivery
ORGS: polymicrobial anerobes/aerobes like E Coli/Group B Strep/Bacteroides
SS: uterine tenderness, foul lochia
TX: gentamycin and clindamycin (continue until 24-48 h afebrile)
Cephalopelvic Disproportion
o
o
o
o
Mom is Rh neg (Rh is an antigen on the RBC: CDE family) + Dad is Rh pos = baby is be Rh pos:
during first pregnancy (usually at delivery but can occur with Sab,amniocentesis, trauma,
ectopic, etc), mom develops antibodies against Rh positivity (because she lacks the antigen)
which can cross the palacenta and cause a hemolysis in the newborn which may cause death.
Kleihauer Betke Test: assess amt of fetal blood passed into maternal circulation
On first visit: blood type, also screen for other antibodies:
o Lewis lives
o Kell kills
o Duffy dies
RHOGAM: given as passive immunization to prevent sensitization: given @ 28 w; check baby at
delivery, if Rh+ give Rhogam again to mom within 72 hours
If multip not sensitized tx as above
Sensitized: mom has developed antibodies against baby check a titer: if over 1:8, do fetal
survey on US and amniocentesis at 16 20 w to measure the OD 450 with the
spectrophotometer (you know, that machine you used in general biology) reading for the LILEY
CURVE
Zone 3 HDN
Zone 2
ffffsdfffollfollowfollclosely
Zone 1 Okay
Weeks gestation
Note: the delta OD 450 is prognostic, not the titeritself
Zone 2/3 TX: intrauterine blood transfusion through umbilical A of RH neg blood
ERTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS: heart failure, diffuse edema, ascites, pericardial effusion,
bilirubin breakdown jaundice, neurotoxic effects.
Intrauterine Fetal Demise
IUFD assn with abruption, congenital anomalies, post dates, infection, but usually is unexplained.
Retained IUFD over 3 4 w leds to hypofibrinogenemia secondary to the release of
thromboplastic substance of decomposing fetus sometimes DIC can result.
DX: no FHT on ultrasound
TX: delivery
Postdates :@ 41 w: do NST: if nonreassuring do induction
o 42w: do BPP and NST 2 q wk: if nonreassuring do induction
o inc risk of macrosomia: oligohydramnios, Meconium aspiration, IUFD
o DX: by LMP, u/s consistent with LMP in first trimester
o Induce after 42 w
Multiple Gestation: 1/80 twins & 1/7000 8000 triplets
Complications: PTL, placenta previa, cord prolapse, pp hemorrhage, pre E
Fetal complications: preterm, congenital abnormalities, SGA, malpresentation
Delivery: usually occurs at 36 37 w if twins;
Triplets 33 34 w
Mastitis: oral or skin flora enter a crack in breast skin; can be treated with dicloxacillin; continue
to breast feed.
Contraception: no diaphragms, caps until 6 w; if breast feeding depo, micronor; not
breastfeeding OCP, norplant, depo, Orthoevra
Post Partum Hemorrhage:
o Blood loss vag delivery = 500 cc; c/s = 1000cc (normal remember, moms plasma
volume expands just for this reason!)
o Causes:
Uterine atony (RF: multip, h/o atony, fibroids) tx: pitocin, methergine, etc.
Retained products of conception: find on manual exploration of uterus
Placenta accreta: placenta is stuck in uterine wall
Cerv/Vag lacs: repair with adequate anesthesia
Uterine rupture (1/2000) ss: abd pain, pop tx: laparotomy and repair if possible.
Uterine Inversion (1/2800) RF: fundal placenta, atony, accreta, excess cord traction
tx: manually revert, NTG, Laparotomy
Post Partum depression:
o Post partum blues: 50%; changes in mood, appetite, sleep, will resolve
o Post Partum depression: 5%; decreased energy, apathy, insomnia, anorexia, sadness; can
get better or proceed to psychosis; tx: antidepressants (SSRIs)
Endometritis: a polymicrobial infection invading the uterine wall after delivery;
o SS: fever, inc WBC, uterine tenderness (@ 5-10 d pp), foul discharge
o Look for retained products do a d & c
o Tx: triple antibiotics until afebrile x 48 hours and pain gone.
GYNECOLOGY
Benign Disorders of Lower Genital Tract
Congenital anomalies:
Labial fusion: assn with excess androgens develop abnormal genitalia tx: estrogen cream
Imperforate hymen: the junction between the sinovaginal bulbs and the UG sinus is not
perforated obstructs outflow
o SS: primary amenorrhea at puberty, hematocolpos (blood behind hymen)
o TX: surgery
Vaginal septums: when vagina forms, the sinovaginal bulbs and mullerian tubercle must be
canalized. If not you get a transverse vaginl septum between lower 2/3 and upper 1/3 primary
amenorrhea
o TX: surgery
Vaginal agenesis: Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Sd: mullerian agenesis/dysgenesis; may have
rudimentary pouch from sinovaginal bulb; Testosterone Insensitivity: 46 xy with no sensitivity to
testosterone (may have undescended testes)
o TX: surgical creation of vagina
Vulvar dystrophy: Hypertrophic: from chronic vulvar irritation = raised white lesions
o TX: cortisone cream bid
o Atrophic: dec estrogen to local tissues (postmenopausal)
o SS: dysuria/parunia, pruritus, Vulvodynia, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
o Tx : 2% testosterone cream, hydrocortisone cream
Benign Cysts:
o Epidermal Cyst: occlusion of pilosebaceous duct/hair follicle
Tx: incision and drainage
o Sebaceous cyst: duct blocked sebum accumulates
TX: I & D if infected
o Apocrine Sweat Gland Cyst: on mons or labia occludes glands superinfection
hidradentitis suppurative I & D, Doxycycline
o Bartholins gland Cyst: 4 or 8 oclock on labia majora
TX: sitz baths, infx I & D / word catheter
Cervical Lesions
o
o
o
o
o
Congenital anomalies: DES exposure in utero = 25% congenital anomalies, clear cell
adenocarcinoma 1%
Cervical Cysts: dilated retention cysts: nabothian cysts = blockage of endocervical gland
@ 1 cm asx, no TX
Mesonephric Cysts: (remnants of wolfian/mesonephric ducts) deeper in stroma
Polyps: broad based = can have intermittent/post coital bleeding; usually removed
cervical fibroids = intermenst bleeding, dysparunia, bladder/rectal pressure/ r/o cerv can
Cervical Stenosis: congenital or after scarring (surgery/radiation) or secondary to
neoplasm or polyp; if asymptomatic, leave alone; if causes menstrual problems, remove;
gently dilate scarring.
Fibroids
Fibroids = Estrogen dependant local proliferation of smooth muscle cells, usually occur in women
of child bearing age and regress at menopause; African American are at higher risk; has a
pseudocapsule of compressed muscle cells; are found in 20-30% American women at age 30
SS: menorrhagia (submucous), metrorrhagia (subserous, intramural), pressure sx (from pressing
against bladder), infertility; 50% are asymptomatic.
Parasitic fibroids: get their blood supply from the omentum.
Histologic Changes:
o Hyaline Change
o Fatty Change
o Sarcomatous
o Cystic Change
o Red/white
change (most
rare)
o Calcific change
infarcts
In pregnancy are at increased risk for Sab, IUGR, PTL, Dystocia; may grow during pregnancy
Med TX: Depo provera, Lupron (GnRH agonist), Danazol
Surg Tx: momectomy(only for fertility purposes), hysterectomy indicated when anemic
from bleeding, severe pain, size > 12 w, urinary frequency, growth after menopause,
new role for embolization by interventional radiology
Endometrial Hyperplasia
Endometrial hyperplasia: abnormal proliferation of gland/stromal elements; overabundance of
histologically normal epithelium
o Simple without atypia: 1% cancer- Provera
o Complex without atypia: 3% cancer- Provera
o Simple with atypia: 9% cancer- Provera vs. TAH
o Complex with atypia: 27% cancer- TAH
o RF: unopposed estrogen, PCO, granulosa/theca tumors
o DX: endometrial biopsy
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis: Endometrium in myometrium
o Ususally a 30 yo multiparous woman with heavy painful periods, enlg tender uterus
described either as boggy/soft or woody/firm and pelvic heaviness
o Rx: hysterectomy / analgesics
o The tissue does not undergo proliferation phase of cell cycle.
Pelvic Endometriosis: presence of endometrial glands outside of endometrium
o Theories
Sampsons reflux menstruation: most likely
Coelomic metaplasia: irritant to peritoneum
Family history / genetic
Immunologic
Lymphatic and vascular mets
Iatrogenic dissemination (ie:you see it on the other side of a c section scar)
o Induces fibrosis which causes pelvic pain
o SS: pain, infertility, bleeding/ovarian dysfunction, hematochezia/ hematuria, dyspareunia
(pain with sex)
o Can be on peritoneum, ovary (chocolate cysts), round ligament, tube, sigmoid colon
o DX: laparoscopy
o TX:
NSAID
OCP/Provera
Treatment of STDs
Chlamydia trachomatis:
o DX Direct fluorescent Ab
o Tx: doxycycline 100 mg bid x 7 d or Azithromycin 1 g po (one dose)
N. Gonorrhea:
o DX: gram stain, culture
o RF: low SES, urban, nonwhite, early sex, prev gon infx
o Treat both partners
o TX: Rocephin 250 mg IM or Cipro 500 mg po or Floxin 400 mg po
o Usually transfers male to female more than female to male.
Syphilis: Treponema pallidum
o DX: dark field microscopy
o TX: (<1 yr duration) Pen G 2.4 million U IM (>1yr duration) 2.4 mill U IM x 3 doses (see ob
section for full description)
Herpes Simplex Virus: first episode Acyclovir/Famciclovir/Valcyclovir; 66% HSV-2 33% HSV-1
of genital herpes; vesicles rupture in 10-22 d leaving a painful ulcer; can use antivirals also as
suppressing agents as the virus hangs out in the dorsal root ganglion.
HPV:
o Types 6/11 = genital warts
o Types: 16,18,31 = cervical cancer
o TX: podofilox, cyrotherapy, podophyllin rein, TCA, Aldara cream
Chancroid: casued by Haemophilus ducreyi; is a painful soft ulcer with inguinal
lymphadenopathy; tx with Ceftriaxone 250 IM x once or Azithromycin 1 g once po or
Erythromycin; treat partner.
Lymphogranulona venerum: primary = papules/shallow ulcer; secondary = painful
inflammation of inguinal nodes with fever, h/a, malaise, anorexia; Tertiary = rectal
stricture/rectovaginal fistula/ elephantiasis TX: doxycycline 100 mg po bid x 21 d
Molluscum contagiosum: pox virus from close contact; 1-5 mm umbilicated lesion anywhere
but the palms or soles; are asymptomatic and resolve on their own
Phthris pubis/sarcoptes scabei: Lice and scabies, respectively; TX: lindane/Kwell
Vaginitis
Candida:
o RF: Abx, DM, Pregnancy, immunocompromised
o SS: burning, itching, vulvitis, cottage cheese discharge, dysparunia
o DX: wet prep KOH = branching hyphae
o Exam: white plaques with or without satellite lesions
o TX: over the counter creams work well (monistat); if resistant, Diflucan 150 mg po x once
Trichomonas: unicellular flagellated protozoan
o SS: itching, inc. discharge (yellow/gray/green), frothy
o Exam: strawberry cervix, foamy discharge
o DX: see the buggers zipping all over your wet prep
o TX: Flagyl 500 mg po bid x 7 d/ partner condom x 2 w
Hair
1. prepubertal
2. presexual hair
3. Sexual hair
4. Areolar Mound
5. Adult Contour
4. Mid-escutcheon
5. Female escutcheon
o
o
o
Swyers Syndrome: 46xy, gonadoagenesis, w/o testes no MIF yielding female genitalia but no
estrogen so no breasts.
Kallmans Syndrome: absence of GnRH and anosomia. Pts have breast and uterus
Testicular Feminization: 46xy insensitive to testosterone. MIF so no internal female genital structures +
estrogen so has breasts.
PMS
2nd of cycle
Probable Causes: abnormal estrogen/progesterone balance, increase PG production, decrease
endogenous endorphins; disturbance in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
DX: 5 of 12 symptoms (including 1 of the first four)
SX:
1. Decreased mood
6. Concentration
10. Edema
2. Anxiety
difficulty
11. Edema
3. Affective Liability
7. Decreased energy
12. Weight gain
4. Decrease interest
8. Change in appetite
13. Breast Tenderness
5. Irritability
9. Overwhelmed
TX: avoid caffeine, etoh, tobacco, low sodium diet, weight reduction, stress management.
Drugs: NSAIDS, OCPs, lasix, calcium, vit E, SSRI
DYSMENORRHEA: pain and cramping during menstruation that interferes with the acts of daily living.
Primary presents <20 years b/c of increased PG occurs with Ovulatory cycles
Secondary Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, fibroids, cervical stenosis (congenital, trauma, surgery,
infection), adhesions (h/o infection PID, TOA, ex lap LOA)
MENORRHAGIA
Heavy prolonged menstrual bleeding; over 80 cc/ cycle
Avg 35 ml of blood loss
> 24 pads per day
Estrogen increases endometrial thickness
Progesterone matures Endometrium and withdrawal of leads to secretion
Menstruation at regular intervals usually indicates ovulation
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding/DUB aka irregular periods indicate anovulation
Causes: fibroids, Adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps, cancer, pregnancy
complication
- Puberty give Fergon, NSAIDS premarin until bleeding stops, check Von Willebrand Factor
- 16 40 yo think endometriosis, Adenomyosis, fibroids Tx: EMB, OCPs
- >40 yo think endometrial cancer TX: EMB, depo provera, D&C, TAH
METRORRHAGIA: intermenstral bleeding think endometrial polyps, endometrial/cervical cancer,
pregnancy complication
POLYMENORRHEA: cycles <21 d between periods = anovulation
OLIGOMENORRHEA: >35 d apart = disruption of pit/Gonadal axis, pregnancy
DUB: abnormal uterine bleeding in absence of organic causes
OVULATORY DUB:
Early spotting estrogen no increasing fast enough
Mid spotting estrogen drop off at ovulation
Late spotting Progesterone def
TX: NSAIDS dec blood loss by 20-50%
POST MENOPAUSAL BLEEDING
- >12 months after menopause
- lower/upper genital tract
Mech: exogenous hormones
Non gyn causes: rectal bleeding, prolapse, fissures, tumors vaginal atrophy, CA (endometrial and
cervical), endometrial
Hyperplasia, Polyps
DX: inspection on PE, pap, rectal, EMB, HSG, H/H, U/S
CERVICAL CANCER
Most cancer occurs in transformation zone
Koilocyte: has viral particle
HPV oncogenic 33, 35, 52,16, 18 ordinary wart 6,11
SX: vaginal bleeding, d/c, pelvic pain, growth on cervix may palpate/see mass on exam
Classic presentation: post coital bleeding, pelvic pain/pressure, abnormal vaginal bleeding
rectal/bladder sx
Types: Squamous large cell, keratinizing, non-keratinizing, small cell (worse prog)
Adenocarcinoma
Mixed carcinoma
Glassy cell occurs in pregnant women usually fatal
RF: tobacco # of sex partners, age of onset of sex, # STDs, HIV (cervical CA an AIDS defining illness)
Staging based on microinvasion so must do a cone : staged CLINICALLY
O carcinoma in situ
I contained to cervix
II carcinoma beyond cervix, no sidewall
II pelvic sidewall, hydronephrosis
IV extends beyond pelvis
TX:
Ia= cone biopsy; hysterectomy 100% cure
Ib/IIa = radiation, radical hysterectomy ( takes uterus, cervix, parametrium, LN)
IIb/III/IV = extensive radiation,chemo
OVARIAN TUMORS
RF: family hx, uninterrupted ovulation, nulitips, low fertility, delayed childbearing, late onset
menopause (OCs have protective effect)
SX: asymptomatic until advanced stages, urinary frequency, dysuria, pelvic pressure, ascites, - Types:
Non-neoplastic: only operate if postmenopausal or if theyre over 8 cm
o Follicle cyst
o Corpus luteum Hematoma
o PCO
o Theca lutein cysts: assn with HCG and LH
o Endometrioma
o Para ovarian cysts (mullerian)
Epithelial (80%)
o Serous cystadenoma: papillary cystic malignant bilateral, psammonma bodies
o Endometroid: solid
o Mucinous: cystic
o Clear cell: associated with Hobnail Cells on path, assn with DES
o Brunner: look like transitional epithelium: Walthard Nests 99% benign
o SUET: solid undiff
Germ Cell
o Dysgerminoma: younger people, solid radiosensitive, lymphocytic infiltrate
o Teratoma: ectoderm endoderm mesoderm, Rotikanskys protuberance, complications:
medical: struma ovarii, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, carcinoid
surgery: torsion, acute abdomen
o Primary choriocarcinoma of the ovary false, + UPT, increased HCG
o Yolk Sac Tumor/Endodermal Sinus: +AFP/LDH, +Schuller Duval Bodies
o Mixed germ cell: HCG, AFP, LDH, CA 125
Stromal
-older women (50-80)
1. MTX
2. Etoposide/actinomycin D/MTX
3. Cyclophosphamide/Vincristine
D&C
CONTRACEPTION
Rhythm
Fertility awareness/abstinences
55-80% effective
ovulation assment = BBT
menstrual cycle tracking
cervical mucus exam
Coitus Interuptus
Withdrawal before ejaculation
15-25% failure
Lactational Amenorrhea
Nursing delays ovulation by
hypothalamic suppression
Max of 6 months
50% ovulate by 6-12 months
15-55% get pregnant while nursing
Barrier
Male and female condom, diaphragm,
cervical cap sponge, spermacide
IUD
Spermicidal inflammatory response/
inhibition of implantation
Used when OCPs contraindicated
Patient is a low STD risk
Contraindicated in pregnancy, abnormal
vaginal bleeding, infection
Relative contraindication: nullip, prior
ectopic, h/o STD, mod/sev dysmenorrhea
Failure rate <2%
Norplant: not sold anymore for monetary
reasons only
Sustained release- 5 years
0.2% failure
not many side effects b/c no estrogen
only progesterone
six flexible rods (36mg progesterone) SQ
upper arm
side effects: Irregular vaginal bleeding,
HA, wt change, mood changes
Deproprovera
Medoxyprogesterone acetate
IM slow release of over 3 months
.3% failure rate
side effects: irregular menstrual
bleeding, depression, weight gain
>70% get irregular menses, eventually
have amenorrhea
Vasectomy
Ligation of the vas deferens
<1% failure rate
must use condom for 4-6 wks until
azospermia confirmed on semen analysis
70% reanastomose resulting in
pregnancy 18-60%
50% make anti-sperm antibodies
Tubal Sterilization
Most used method of birth control
4% failure rate
No side effects
Permanent although 1% seek reversal
which is successful in 41-84%
1/1,500 risk of ectopic
4/100,000 mortality rate
Induction of labor
Medical TX :
o Antiprogestin agent (RU-486 mifepristone: blocks effects of progesterone) 1st of 1st
trimester.
o Post coital pill high doses of estrogen that either suppresses ovulation or accelerates
ovum thru tube so no fertilization se: N/V
2nd Term
Congenital anomalies
Vaginal prostaglandin
D&E
Induction of labor w/ hypertonic solution (saline, urea, PGF, PGE vaginal suppositories)
SHELF REVIEW
When you review questions that have appeared on previous shelf exams, think of each as a type of
question. From each stem, the question might be what is the diagnosis, how do you make the diagnosis
(lab, etc), what is the next step in management or treatment, what are risk factors for the diagnosis,
etc. Shelf exams like to test common things, but also uncommon things that shouldnt be missed by any
type of doctor, like cancers for example. So they stress recognizing risk factors for cancers or
signs/symptoms of potentially serious conditions.
Here are some questions that students have recalled from recent exams. Dont focus on the particular
question, focus on the theme. This first set is from one student and one shelf. This can given you an
idea of common areas of focus. Most shelf exams are similar in focus:
3-4 questions on postmenopausal bleeding, asking about next step in management.
Know risk factors; always diagnosis (e.g. endometrial biopsy) before treatment
Several questions on choosing appropriate antibiotics for UTI, urethritis, PID, endometritis. One
asked for best prophylactic Ab for UTIs with bactrim allergy (macrobid). Also, 3 or 4 on what
pathogen is responsible for different infections
These types of questions are high yield. Know the presentation of the infection, the
common organisms, the microscopic description of the bug, and the antibiotic. All of
these are on the Charts on the website.
Microcytic anemia and you had to decide if it was iron def, thalassemia, or phys anemia of
pregnancy.
Virtually every test you will take in the future will ask you to work through anemia.
Understand how to use the MCV and other common labs, inheritance patterns of genetic
causes of anemias, etc.
2 or 3 precocious puberty, choosing lab test and management
Examiners love this. Its unusual but tests your knowledge of the basic sciences.
Remember the paradoxical action of Lupron in this case.
Several postpartum fever questions, mostly after CD
A lot of times there are 8-10 questions about post-op fever, either post-gyn or post-CD,
SVD. Make sure you know the differential and presentation, including atelectasis, UTI,
wound infections/abscesses, pelvic/abd abscesses, endomyometritis, mastitis, DVT, septic
pelvic thrombophlebitis, etc.
3-4 primary amenorrhea, one was androgen insensitivity, one was Turner's, but the only physical
finding it gave was "increased cubitus valgus" and she was short, answer was to karyotype
2 secondary amenorrhea- one excess exercise/low BMI, one was premature ovarian failure and
choosing lab test to confirm (FSH)
Test writers also love amenorrhea. Remember the four categories of amenorrhea: 1) (breasts, +uterus) is usually Turners; 2) (+breasts. -uterus) is usually Androgen
Insensitivity or MRKH syndrome; 3) (-breasts, -uterus) is usually 17, 20 Desmolase
deficiency; 4) (+breasts, +uterus) overlaps with causes of 2nd amenorrhea but includes
things like imperforate hymen on the test
Hypoestrogenic hyperprolactinemia in a young woman- choose treatment
Dont forget to image head before proceeding with treatment
2 strips, one was fetal tachycardia, the other showed early's during labor and asked for
appropriate management
The Shelf so far hasnt focussed on management of tracings or the categories, but on the
pathophysiology of patterns (lates, variables, tachycardia, earlies, etc)
1 arrest of dilation, had to determine from labor curve
Google partograms and understand that they may show you the course of a labor based
on one of these charts. Then youll have to identify common arrest disorders (arrest of
dilation, descent, etc.). Arrest of dilation is no change for four hours in active labor
(beyond 6 cm) with adequate contractions. You need all three to diagnosis. If its earlier in
labor and/or contractions arent adequate, then they want you to augment (amniotomy,
pitocin).
1 preschool teacher in 2nd or 3rd trimester with hydrops, I think it was parvo
The differential of immune and nonimmune hydrops is popular. TORCH infections, Rh
disease, parvo etc are all highly tested.
Effect of uncontrolled maternal hypertension on placenta
Risk factors for growth restriction (Htn, vascular dz) and growth acceleration (DM) are
popular and the sequelae from both.
Effect of hyperemesis on fetus
Are none. The problems with hyperemesis are maternal. They just want to make sure you
know that.
3-4 infertility. One had image of HSG with round light 1 cm spot on uterus and asked what the pt
is at increased risk for during pregnancy
Fertility is a highly tested area too for at least a few questions. So are
hysterosalpingograms. Google HSGs with different things. This one is an intracavitary
fibroid. Watch the video about mullerian abnormalities too. They may show HSGs of
these. Anything that makes the cavity smaller (like a unicornuate uterus) increases the
risk of preterm labor. Anything that makes the cavity have less surface area (like fibroids
or a septum) makes the risk of miscarriage higher). For infertility think about: male factor
(sperm analysis), ovulatory (test LH surge, basal body temp, midluteal progesterone; tx
with clomiphene or letrazole); tubal factor (history of PID or endometriosis, do an HSG; if
blocked do IVF); cervical factor (history of LEEP or something; do an IUI). Also some
unusual genetic stuff like Kallmans is often tested.
Breast stuff- differentiating galactocele from abscess, when to start mammogram with fam h/o
early breast ca.
You dont get a lot of it on the rotation, but breast stuff is high yield. Know screening
guidelines. Understand the triple test (this will help you get most questions right). If the
stem says mass or lump, you have to have a biospy and imaging; dont be reassured just
by reassuring imaging. Have to biospy. In general, if cancer is in your differential, do a
biopsy. Period.
STDs- 7 or 8 total. Definately 1 (but maybe 2?) disseminated gonococcal infection, 1 primary
HSV, 1 described condyloma accuminata and you chose pathogen, 1 trich (ID pathogen)
So these are highly tested; all of them are fair game. Again memorize the Charts. Know
the typical presentation, the bug, the screening AND confirmatory tests, the treatment,
the treatment in pregnancy; the effects of the infection on pregnancy or fetus.
2 vulvar lesions, one asked about next step (I'm pretty sure it was biopsy), one was diagnosis
and I think it was HSV
Here again, if malignancy is in the differential, the next step is biopsy. Know common
vulvar presentations, like lichen scl. Condyloma (in a woman under 50) doesnt include
cancer in the diff dx, so no need to biopsy; lichen scl does include cancer, so you have to
biopsy. The Charts are good for these too.
2 nephrolithiasis questions
These are a type of question again; common complications of pregnancy and common
causes of pelvic pain are high yield
Few on ovarian tumors, one was rapid virilization in 34 y/o woman with 8 cm adnexal mass, one
with super elevated b-hCG
So test writers love using tumor markers to make a vignette and then you have to identify
the tumor. These are on the Charts. So for example, estrogenic symptoms with a mass is
probably a granulosa cell tumors. These markers are high yeld.
Here
I don't remember how it was set up, but for one question you had to know that fetal factors
cause symmetric IUGR
Symmetric and asymmetric IUGR is def something to understand. Symmetric is
genetic/chromosomal stuff and TORCH stuff; asymmetric is related to placental
problems/HTN.
One I struggled with was young G3P2 with 20 yr h/o well controlled Type 1 DM at 8 weeks
gestation, HbA1c of 6.5%. Then there were 2 sentences explaining she had 2 previous
uncomplicated pregnancies, normal vaginal deliveries and normal birth weights. It asked what
would be the appropriate test to perform in the 1st trimester. Options were antiphospholipid
antibody screening, dexamethasone suppression test, 24 urine collection for creatinine
clearance, total iron binding capacity, or free T4 level.
Remember to anticipate the complications of different medical issues on the pregnancy
and change screenings etc to anticipate this. A diabetic is at increased risk for
preeclampsia and also is likely to already have proteinuria, so a baseline urine will help to
manage her later. This is a type of question. Apply this to other medical complications
too.
are some questions from another student:
after c-section, low BP, pericardial friction rub, pulmonary hypertension, firm uterus,what does
she have? CHF, pneumonia, pylo, uterine atony, PE
not an emergency, baby was transverse positions- c-section or turn fetus to breech position and
deliver
Neither is option is right. Turn the baby to cephalic and deliver. If it wont turn do a
section.
risk factors for diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, pprom
Tests love risk factors
an abnormal pap and then two normal pap, when should she get a pap? In three years, once
year
Pap smear stuff is easy. First pap at 21, then every 3 years. After 30, can do every 5 with
HPV cotesting. If ASCUS, get an HPV. If ASCUS and HPV negative, treat it like a normal
pap. If ASCUS HPV pos or worse (LSIL, HSIL, ASC-H), do a colpo (there are exceptions but
not important for the shelf). If the Colpo is normal or CIN1, do another pap in a year and
get two normals in a row then resume regular screening. If CIN2 or CIN3, do a LEEP or
CKC (do a CKC if the lesion extends up into the cervix)
baby tachycardic, mother bleeding at 38wks with 50% effacement and 4 cm dilated, what is
wrong?- placenta abruption, chorio, long list
baby tachycardic, mother with fever, clear fluid leakage- same list as #5
Chorio is on almost every test. Lots of ways to ask the question. Not sure about the
bleeding mother question, but might be abruption. Abruption is not a reason to do a csection, but fetal distress is. Most women with abruption deliver vaginally.
a 45 y/o with a mobile, nontender breast mass, cyclic growth, what do u do? Aspiration biopsy,
excision biopsy
Again remember the Triple Test. Do a biopsy. Avoid aspirations on solid masses. Excisional
biopsy are usually for things that are at high risk for malignancy or a failed core or
aspiration biopsy. She also needs imaging at some point. But always biospy masses.
breast feeding mother has a breast that is tender, no mass, skin is red upper outer quadrantmastitis, cancer
Sounds like mastitis to me; remember Dicloxacillin is the drug of choice.
lot of questions on women with c-sections and fever two days after
Talked about this above
infertility, had gotten sperm analysis, had 28 day cycle, in the past had 18 partners but
monogamous now, what next? FSH, prolactin, LH, TSH, HSG, testosterone, or laparoscopy
Remember what I said above. She sounds ovulatory and the sperm analysis is normal.
The stem is implying that she might have had chlamydia or something. HSG will test
tubes.
woman comes in with pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, nodularity in posterior fornix, no
masses felt on exam, what next? Laparoscopy, CT
Recognize common causes of female pelvic pain. This is endometriosis. We diagnosis with
biopsy at laparoscopy but you can also try to treat empirically and see if she improves
before running to surgery.
urge incontinence, had a 3 cm fibroid in uterus, why is she having this problem? Detrusor
instability or fibroid
Well a really big anterior fibroid might sit on the bladder and cause a sensation to void,
but dont bite for that. Common things are common and 3 cm is not big. This is just
detrusor instability.
bulge in vagina, had a hysterectomy, no anterior or posterior wall problems- enterocele
Urogyn isnt heavily tested but not the vignettes for different types of incontinence and
the treatments and recognize symptoms and types of prolapse. They still use the terms
enterocele, cystocele, and rectocele.
amenorrhea, pubic and axillary hair, no breast, no uterus- androgen insensitivity, mullerian
agenesis , 17 hydroxylase deficiency, agonadism
Remember what I said before. This is Type 3 above, so its an enzyme problem, in this
case 17-hydrox.
Another student with our back and forth about questions she found difficult:
Heavier periods in perimenopausal pt. U/S shows smooth concave intrauterine mass infiltrating
myometrium; its heterogeneous. Her uterus is slightly enlarged. Most like dx? I was between
adenomyosis (but don't remember much about it) vs. endometrial cancer; another option was
fibroid.
Most likely is fibroid. Need to exclude cancer with biopsy. Adenomyosis is a possibility. But
this sounds like a submucosal fibroid. Here are some pictures:
http://www.advancedfertility.com/uterinefibroid.htm
Normal-weight girl, stressful job, secondary amenorrhea, next best test: measure PRL & TSH, or
Estrogen & progesterone? Other options included head/pelvic CT
PRL and TSH. Obviously first best test was an pregnancy test. A progesterone by itself is
not really useful and neither is an estrogen by itself but an estrogen plus FSH might be.
Secondary amenorrhea in 22yo for 6 years (has end-stage renal dz). Sexually active, uses
condoms consistently. Normal pelvic exam. Next best test for amenorrhea workup: HSG,
hysteroscopy, or B-hCG?
Well none of these. The HCG is the best of those three for sure. She might be pregnant
and you would want to exclude pregnancy before doing something like an HSG or
hysteroscopy.
Molar pregnancy (HTN ~150/100, snowstorm on US, etc). Anxious pt. Give any meds before
D&C? Options: no meds; labetalol; carbamazepine; PTU
I would give no meds here. If the vignette presents thyroid storm then beta blockade/ptu
might be useful. But this sounds like just do the D&C. (Molar pregnancies are heavily
tested; love the snowstorm US and the basic science implications)
recurrent variable decels + brady after ROM: do amnio-infusion? Cervical exam? Cesarean?
Well they want you to think of cord prolapse here. She needs a cesarean but you need to
do a cervical exam first to confirm and then elevate the fetal head off of the prolapsed
cord (whats the next best step questions frustrate students because all of the answers
might be appropriate, but just imagine being there in front of the patient and put the
steps in order).
G2P0010 (prev stillbirth at 37 wk) starts itching at 35wk. What test: Skin bx? Liver bx? Alk-phos?
Serum bile acids?
Serum bile acids. Generalized itching is possibly intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. It
is associated with a roughly five times risk of fetal death and has a genetic predisposition
giving you a recurrence risk (rare dz but they dont want you to ignore potentially bad
things with benign presentations).
Pelvic infection 2 weeks after IUD insertion see fever, copious yellow discharge from cervix. Tx
w/ abx and also remove IUD, or leave it there?
Leave it there is the current thinking. Treat only. Remove if she fails treatment.
Dull, constant pelvic pain. Tender on bimanual exam, not much discharge. Chlamydia or
gonorrhea?
Other
Wouldn't think this was either. If they wanted you to think PID then chlamydia is most
common, but theres not enough info here to discriminate.
Vulvar burning/itching in older pt, answer choices for etiology included both trichomoniasis and
vaginal atrophy. Copious grey discharge, fishy-smelling, otherwise normal exam. Wet mounts
showed WBC's but no clue cells or organisms. One question said the wet mount had dried up
before it was viewed... so could that one still have had trichomonas on it, just not visualized?
Well vulvar itching is not usually due to vaginal atrophy, not trich. A fishy smelling,
copious gray discharge of course sounds like BV. However there are no clue cells and that
shouldnt matter with the slide. Due to the rise in pH with vulvovaginal atrophy, women
do sometimes report a discharge and the buzzword is grey. Yellow and green are the
buzzwords for BV and trich. So I would have picked atrophy. Here is an article:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2800285/pdf/mayoclinproc_85_1_012.pdf
Described intrauterine fetal demise (no FM for 24h, no heart tones, 3rd trimester). Confirm by
amniocentesis, or u/s?
Confirm by US. No way to confirm death with amniocentesis, but obviously can with US.
Sometimes an amnio is done after an IUFD to harvest amniocytes for genetic testing prior
to induction of labor.
Mastitis not responsive to dicloxacillin, what is the bug: candida? Klebsiella? E. coli? GBS? MRSA?
I should've said MRSA but forgot that dicloxacillin doesn't cover it :(
Yes probably MRSA but yeast mastitis is a common problem. However, yeast doesnt
present with fever or the systemic flu like symptoms, so it depends on how they worded
it.
There were some easier ones at least e.g. on PCOS, contraception, post-op infections,
postpartum hemorrhage, cancer screening/prevention... A question asked whether 37 weeks was
preterm!
A lot of the questions are very easy. Dont question your answer just because it was easy;
theres no trick to them. They are on a bell-shaped curve of difficulty.
I had 5-7 questions dealing with urinary incontinence. The question stem would always give a
post void volume (it would not give a normal range and we were expected to know what volume
is normal) and we would need to recognize the significance of it, in addition to other typical
stress/ urge sx.
A lot of students are thrown off by not understanding post-void residuals. They are
reporting the PVR because it is appropriate to check it with virtually every presentation of
incontinence. They arent trying to trick you.
Another question that was interesting read something like this. 12 yo has not had menses in 6
months. She plays softball in the spring and has phys ed class twice a week. Menses occurred at
11, and then gave vitals. What is the diagnosis? Most of us put either reassurance or athletic
amenorrhea. I put reassurance.
Not sure what the question was here but reassurance and no work up is appropriate. Also
commonly tested is a young girl whose mom brings in for a breast lump. Its a breast bud
and reassurance is the answer. Dont biopsy an 11 year olds breast even if mom did have
breast cancer.
things that confuse students:
Make sure you understand what is being asked. For example, a UTI in a newly sexually active
girl. What is the most common bug? E. coli (you were thinking saprophyticus; thats more likely
in that group ut E. coli is still the most common). Or a woman has a pelvic abscess after a csection, what bugs should you focus treatment on? The answers is broad spectrum against a
polymicrobial infection; the most likely bug might be bacteroides but you wont just treat that.
An elderly woman breaks a bone in a car accident; later she has a spiculated mass on
mammogram. Whats the most likely diagnosis? Fat necrosis. Are we going to rule out cancer?
Absolutely. The next step in management is still biopsy. The most likely cause of postmenopausal
bleeding is not endometrial cancer; not even close. But the next step in management is still
going to be to rule out cancer.
A pregnant woman presents with classic symptoms of appendicitis; what do you do next? This is
one of the most misunderstood questions ever. The answer is not surgery. It is never is for
women; thats the answer for men. So you have to image. The imaging modality of choice is CT
(maybe MRI but the shelf doesnt usually give that). The radiation exposure is not an issue. US is
NEVER the correct answer in pregnant women.
In general dont waste time studying things that have wide variation in practice. The test writers
know that your school may do things different than the next so they dont ask questions about it.
For example, dont worry about medicines used in pregnancy unless they are specifically
contraindicated and associated with a classic birth defect (like lithium or coumadin). Do know
what common first line treatments for things are (like Vit b6/doxalymine for nausea in
pregnancy). But dont worry about whether fentanyl or stadol is better in pregnancy (fentanyl) or
labetalol of aldomet (both are widely used). Know that some medicines may cause a particular
side effect (like a pseudosinusoidal fetal tracing due to stadol or ringing in the ears or a metallic
taste in the mouth from an intravenous injection of lidocaine [that should have been intrathecal
with regional anesthesia]).
Here a bit longer list of stuff than is on the Charts:
fetal renal tubular dysplasia and neonatal renal failure, oligohydramnios,
ACE/ARB
intrauterine IUGR, lack of cranial ossification
FAS (growth restriction before and after birth, mental retardation,
midfacial hypoplasia, renal and cardiac defects). Consumption of >6
EtOH
drinks a day associated with 40% risk of FAS
neural tube defects, fingernail hypoplasia, microcephaly, developmental
Carbamazepine
delay, IUGR
bowel atresias; congenital malformations of the heart, limbs, face, and GU
Cocaine
tract; microcephaly; IUGR; cerebral infarctions
DES
clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix, vaginal adenosis,
(diethylstilbestr
abnormalities of the cervix and uterus or testes, possible infertility
ol)
Lead
increased spontaneous abortion rate; stillbirths
Lithium
congenital heart disease (Ebstein's Anomaly)
Methotrexate
increased spontaneous abortion rate
Organic
cerebral atrophy, microcephaly, mental retardation, spasticity, seizures,
Mercury (from
blindness
Whole Foods)
IUGR, mental retardation, microcephaly, dysmorphic craniofacial features,
Phenytion
cardiac defects, fingernail hypoplasia
microcephaly, mental retardation. Medical diagnostic radiation deliverying
Radiation
< 0.05 Gy to the fetus has no risk
Streptomycin
hearing loss; CN 8 dmg
and kanamycin
permanent yellow-brown discoloration of deciduous teeth; hypoplasia of
tetracycline
tooth enamel
thalidomide
bilateral limb deficiencies, anotia and microtia, cardiac and GI anomalies
Trimethadione
and
cleft lip or palate, cardiac defects, mricrocephaly, mental retardation
paramethadion
e
Valproic Acid
neural tube defects (spina bifida), minor craniofacial defects
increased spontaneous abortion rate, microtia, thymic agenesis,
Vitamin A and
cardiovascular defects, craniofacial dysmorphism, micropththalmia, cleft
derivatives
lip or palate, mental retardation
nasal hypoplasia and stippled bone epiphyses, developmental delay,
Warfarin
IUGR, ophthalmologic abnormalities
Know in general terms when extra fetal testing is indicated and what is normal and abnormal in
terms of results. For example, BPPs or NST are indicated for women with high risk hypertension
or medicine-requiring diabetes or a history of growth restriction etc. Know that an abnormal test
requires action but the specifics are complicated and controversial so you wont be asked to
manage per se except that a person with abnormal testing at term should be delivered. The test
will more focus on potential causes of abnormalities than treatment; for example,
oligohydramnios due to rupture membranes or uteroplacental insufficiency, or polyhydramnios
due to diabetes or esophageal atresia; or variable decels due to cord compression or prolapse,
etc.
Again, the test writers avoid controversy. Tocolytics for example wont be tested because there is
no scientific evidence supporting their use and many schools dont expose their students to
them except to say that they dont use them. But betamethasone for women at risk of delivery
before 34 weeks is not controversial or GBS screening and treatment is universal. Those things
should be done at every school and are fair game for testing.
The test will expect that you know normal physiologic changes/adaptations during pregnancy
and not over work-up common problems of pregnancy, like GERD or edema. The physiologic
changes of pregnancy on the obgynstudent.com website is sufficient.
You never need to know specific doses of medicines and things like that, just know what
medicine to use. For example, you should know that a particular patient needs insulin but the
type of insulin and the way it is dosed is so widely variable among physicians that a student
would never be asked to offer a right answer.
Know where some labs are different in pregnancy, again mostly whats on obgynstudent.com.
You need to know the general trends of an ABG for example because they might ask you to
answer a physiologic question of pregnancy based on that. And for all of your future testing life,
know how to basically interpet ABGs. Know that anemia is mostly normal and pregnancy and
why, for example, so that you dont waste resources working up a pregnant woman with a Hg of
10.3.
Know the average weight gains and caloric increases of pregnancy and the major dietary
contraindications like large mercury containing fish, etc. Other common pregnancy counseling
issues are good to know, but remember many are controversial. Much of what is told to pregnant
women is not evidence based. The test IS evidence based. The thing you learned in the book is
the right answer even if you saw something different on the rotation.
Know the general overview of Urogyn and REI. Understand the basics (almost at a medical
literacy level) of what they things are they do, like urodynamics testing or a TOT, or IVF, IUI, etc.
But you dont need to know gory details about how to do a stim cycle. You do need to recognize
complications you might see if you worked in the ER, like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or
obstructive uropathy after surgery.
We dont have a very diverse patient population here, but the test will certainly expect you to
recognize and treat things like sickle cell crisis in pregnancy. That is not that uncommon of a
problem. Also we dont see a lot of infectious diseases, but certainly syphilis and HIV in
pregnancy you should have an a basic work-up and treatment understanding of.
We also see a ton of substance abuse here but that too is skewed. It wont be heavily tested but
knowing the effects of various drugs of abuse on a pregnancy is still fair game. Most psych stuff
that is tested revolves around postpartum blues/depression/psychosis etc.