USMLE Step 1 Rapid Review Ep-2

Master key USMLE Step 1 concepts with this quick rapid review

Overview

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

  • Food Poisoning: From meats, mayonnaise, custard; caused by preformed enterotoxin.
  • Prosthetic Joint Infection:
    • Early (<3 months): S. aureus.
    • Delayed (3–12 months): Coagulase-negative staph.
    • Late (>12 months): S. aureus.
  • IV Drug Users: Right-sided infective endocarditis (tricuspid valve).

Neonatal Meningitis

  • Common Causes (BEL): Group B Strep, E. coli, Listeria.
  • Treatment: Add ampicillin for Listeria coverage.

Meningitis Empiric Therapy

  • Age 2–50: Vancomycin + 3rd-gen cephalosporin.
  • Neonates & Age >50: Add ampicillin.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

  • Causes:
    • Acute: N. gonorrhoeae.
    • Subacute: C. trachomatis (D-K).
  • Treatment: Ceftriaxone + doxycycline.

Nausea & Vomiting Management

  • Drugs:
    • Ondansetron (QT prolongation risk).
    • Metoclopramide (risk: acute dystonia).
    • Aprepitant (chemotherapy-induced nausea).
  • Torsades Treatment: Magnesium sulfate or defibrillation (if unstable).

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

  • Symptoms: Watery diarrhea, pseudomembranes.
  • Treatment: Fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin.

Enzyme Interactions

  • Inhibitors: Cimetidine, omeprazole (increase drug levels).
  • Inducers: Phenytoin (reduce drug levels).

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

  • Risks: C. diff, pneumonia, osteoporosis, B12 deficiency.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

  • First-line: Lactulose (traps NH3 as NH4+).
  • Alternative: Rifaximin (kills ammonia-producing bacteria).