BOF: 50
An elderly female is admitted with loss of
consciousness. She is hypothermic, has a bradycardia, evidence of cardiac
failure, hypoventilation, hypoglycaemia and hyponatraemia. In this condition one
of the treatment strategies would be:
a)
Thyroxine 1000 micrograms by slow intravenous infusion every 8 hours
b)
Prednisolone 60 mgs orally
c)
Oral thyroxine 125 micrograms daily
d)
Oral thyroxine 25 micrograms daily
e)
Hydrocortisone 100 mgs iv 8 hourly
Answer:
e)
The patient has myxoedema coma. Hydrocortisone 100 mgs
iv 8 hourly should be used to protect against the possibility of associated
adrenocortical deficiency.
