Palliative care

Question 1

what are the red flag symptoms of head and neck cancers

Answer 1

sore throat 
hoarseness 
stridor 
dysphagia 
lump in neck 
unilateral ear pain

Question 2

what are the majority of head and neck cancers

Answer 2

squamous

Question 3

what are the features of HPV cancer

Answer 3

younger, different presentation- small tumour, big nodes
HPV sexual transmission
better prognosis

Question 4

what are adjuvant analgesics

Answer 4

painkillers who are primarily not for pain relief
anticonvulsants- gabapentin, pregabalin
anti-depressants- amitriptyline

Question 5

what are the side effects of 
muscarinic drugs (amitripoline)

Answer 5

dry mouth, dizzy spells

Question 6

when should you use transdermal patches

Answer 6

in stable pain as creates a deposit under the skin

Question 7

when can larger doses of analgesics for rapid sedation be justified

Answer 7

in acute airway obstruction of major haemorrhage