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Hello! Many thanks for this very useful series on the PSA exam. Can I ask if the new version of the interaction checker ("Stockley's Interactions Checker") is available during current sittings of the PSA? It seems to be only accessible under particular subscription conditions (which I unfortunately don't have access to), but would be good to know if it is still accessible during the exam, as it is indeed much handier and faster than the BNF way of checking for interactions. Many thanks!
Hey there, Thank you for your question. There is a bnf interaction checker that the first lecture in this series makes reference to which is a very good interaction checker. It would be best to speak to your university PSA lead regarding the Stockley’s version as they will have the most up to date information about your query but I suspect you won’t have access to Stockley’s specifically in the exam. Please do let us know if there are any updates 😊 good luck for your exams, MTB
Thanks a mil for this series. Genuinely helps a lot of us students and young doctors (especially graduates outside the UK). Looking forward to more of your amazing work!
I have been binging the FY1 playlist for about two days now because I will be starting as an FY1 in about two months and this has been massively helpful. Thank you
Fundamentally, the SJT doesn't look favourably on answers where you relinquish responsibility to somebody else when it is within your remit and you haven't attempted to resolve the situation. Therefore, E is before C.
for case 7 **and this only works on the BNF, not medicines complete** you could search pancreatitis and (metformin or amoxicillin or etc..) should help guide towards the top 2 drugs
Thanks very much for putting together this thoughtful and comprehensive series. I have my exam tomorrow and now feel well prepared. It's especially helpful that you have discussed the most important sections of the BNF. Many thanks!!
Hi, For Question 5 I noticed in the BNF it has the copper coils as a caution in Epilepsy patients due to inducing seizures. Will this change the answer or does it still remain as the answer?
I agree to you, for question 4,the sequence in which she explained are not the same to which she chose as answer . A should be last ,D should be first according to her explanation.
Hi, just a quick question about the last asthma question. We are taught for peak flow to take the three readings and then record the best, if you do this with the best being 390, then his PEFR is >75% his usual of 500ml. Therefore, shouldn't this be classed as a mild exacerbation? Why is it that the worst is used here? Thanks so much for all your videos!
Dear Mhairihunter, Thank you for your question, You are correct, you take the best of the 3 readings. The BNF treatment summary classifies moderate exacerbation as Peak flow > 50-75% best or predicted. The patient's peak flow is >75% of their best/predicted and therefore would fit into the moderate category as there is no mild classification in the BNF. We hope this helps, KR, MTB
Dear Mhairihunter, Thanks for your question. In regards to COCP being contraindicated in migraine, it really depends on whether migraine is with aura and whether you are initiating or continuing the COCP. You can find out more information about this by referring to the UKMEC guidelines. We hope this helps, KR, MTB
Hey guys, thank you so much for this. Feel so much better prepared to sit the PSA next week. Just wondering where is the info about blood glucose monitoring and Nicotine in the BNF, can't find anywhere? Thank you
Hey Anastasia, Thank you for your question. This could indeed be an infective exacerbation. Azithromycin is used in CAP however there is no indication in the drug monograph specifically for COPD. NICE guidance recommends first line amoxicillin, doxycycline or clarithromycin. We hope this helps! KR, MTB
If you would like to scroll back up to the top quickly when using NICE (discussed around 27:00), then you can use the "home" key as a shortcut, which takes you right to the top for the search bar. The "end" key takes you to the bottom.
If you did you use the first set of answers for question 3, im confused as to how you'd answer it. Because theres a cefalosporin AND co-amox. is there one that is a stronger risk factor for c.diff?
Hey there, thank you for your query. Please do not worry - the PSA questions undergo review to ensure there are no ambiguity in the answers. It would be unlikely for you to be faced with choosing between a cephalosporin and co-amoxiclav as they can both cause C.diff. There is a useful treatment summary in the BNF: Gastro-intestinal system infections, antibacterial therapy - this discusses the different generations of cephalosporins and which are more likely to be associated with C difficile. Good luck in your exam :) KR, MTB
Dear Ayeshaa, Thanks for your query! If you type "interactions" into the search bar in medicines complete, the second result down is "appendix 1 interactions" Let us know if you are still struggling KR, MTB
Thanks for this! Brilliant video as always. Just with the fact that the rate of increase in Na in 24 hrs should not exceed >10mmol/L in 24hrs... if you are giving 1L of 0.9% NaCl to a patient in order to correct their hyponatraemia, wouldn't you be giving 154 mmol/L? and thus far exceed the limit? Please can you clarify the confusion
That sodium that you give will diffuse across all the fluid compartments. However giving 0.9% saline isn't always the correct thing to do - it depends on the cause of the hyponatraemia and how best to manage it.
When prescribing NaCL with K+ 0.3% (40mmoL), why is it preferred to be infused over 8-12 hours? This is what your slides say at 31:58, and one of the questions on the mock PSA which gives full marks. I put 4 hours as I thought you can infuse pottasium at 10mmol / hour - but I didnt get the marks. Will appreicate the help!
All this hoop jumping to earn less than a physician associate (assistant) with less than half the GCSEs/A levels/No medical school/no foundation years?
Hello For qquestion number 2: Pain management, would his smyptoms point more towards a neuropathic pain? - possibly due to shingles or is it not? Why is it paracetamol then not TCA? thank you so much
Dear Gurkiranjit, thank you for your query. This question is taken directly from the PSA platform. In this question, the shingles is acute with the rash appearing 1 day prior - in the acute stages of shingles, the pain is not managed with TCAs, you would follow the WHO pain ladder for this. If the rash appeared within the previous 72 hours, there is also scope to prescribe aciclovir (antiviral) to help with the pain (you can read more about this in the NICE CKS guidance if you wish). If, after the acute stage of shingles infection, the pain persists and is longstanding, then this is known as post herpetic neuralgia and at this point you could consider TCAs for neuropathic pain. I hope this helps! KR, MTB
** Please note error in question 3 ** Please use the following answer options for question 3: calcitriol, clarithromycin, carbimazole, co-amoxiclav and codeine to answer the question. Many apologies for those eagled eyed viewers who may have picked up on this KR, MTB
Dear JayDeeDaniels, You may be able to have access via your institution, otherwise you should be granted access via the PSA platform a few weeks before the exam. All the best :) MTB
