PACES for the MRCP - E-Book , 3rd Edition

Comments from candidates' reviews:


"The book is an excellently designed companion to PACES preparation. It is portable enough to be carried around with you (unlike some other texts!), and removes some of the fear factor that can hamper preparation. I certainly used this book as my main text whilst on the wards and have recommended it ever since. I feel it is the best PACES text."


"The book's format follows the format of the exam and helps to focus and get an idea what one needs to prepare for. It focuses not only on signs related to certain diseases, but also how to recognise and interpret these. As a second step it includes treatment/management to discuss the disease/case in the exam."


"One of the greatest assets of this text is the positioning of relevant (and often asked!) questions at the end of this case. Even if studying alone it is possible to see a real patient and then test oneself on the questions practicing for the real exam experience. The close proximity of the answers (directly following the questions) aids readability, as some texts require you to seek out other pages. The competition lacks the questions which help you get good pass marks."


"The miscellaneous section of 100 tips is motivating and all-encompassing! I often flicked to the back of the book throughout my preparation. It is also excellent for the night before the exam."


"Hall's PACES for MRCP has comprehensive and up-to-date information presented in a very easy-to-read format. It quotes up-to-date studies. The content appears to be more comprehensive than any of the other PACES books out in the market that I have seen."
BMA Book Awards 2009 - judges comments

INTRODUCTION

STATION 1 RESPIRATORY AND ABDOMINAL SYSTEM

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Examination of the respiratory system

Cases

1.1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1.2 Consolidation
1.3 Dullness at the lung base
1.4 Pneumonia
1.5 Lung cancer
1.6 Pancoast's syndrome
1.7 Superior vena cava obstruction
1.8 Collapse/pneumonectomy/lobectomy
1.9 Bronchiectasis
1.10 Cystic fibrosis
1.11 Kartagener's syndrome
1.12 Tuberculosis
1.13 Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse parenchymal lung disease

1.14 Rheumatoid lung

1.15 Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

1.16 Asbestos-related lung disease and pneumoconiosis

1.17 Pulmonary sarcoidosis
1.18 Pulmonary hypertension
1.19 Cor pulmonale
1.20 Pulmonary embolism
1.21 Pleural effusion
1.22 Pleural rub
1.23 Pneumothorax
1.24 Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome

1.25 Lung transplant

ABDOMINAL SYSTEM

Examination of the abdominal system

Cases

1.26 Chronic liver disease
1.27 Jaundice
1.28 Ascites
1.29 Alcoholic liver disease
1.30 Viral hepatitis
1.31 Autoimmune hepatitis
1.32 Primary biliary cirrhosis
1.33 Hereditary haemochromatosis
1.34 Wilson's disease
1.35 Hepatomegaly
1.36 Splenomegaly

1.37 Hepatosplenomegaly
1.38 Felty's syndrome
1.39 Abdominal mass
1.40 Crohn's disease
1.41 Ulcerative colitis
1.42 Carcinoid syndrome
1.43 Enteric and urinary stomas
1.44 Chronic myeloid leukaemia
1.45 Polycythaemia vera, myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplasia
1.46 Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
1.47 Lymphadenopathy and lymphoma
1.48 Polycystic kidney disease
1.49 Nephrotic syndrome
1.50 Renal transplant

STATION 2: HISTORY-TAKING SKILLS

Introduction to history-taking skills

Clinical reasoning

The traditional medical history model

Incorporating the patient's perspective - ideas, concerns and expectations

History-taking skills - the communication skills that make history-taking effective

The traditional model and communication skills - putting these two together

Cases

Respiratory problems

2.1 Breathlessness
2.2 Asthma

Abdominal problems

2.3 Dyspepsia
2.4 Dysphagia
2.5 Abdominal pain
2.6 Altered bowel habit

Cardiovascular problems

2.7 Prevention of cardiovascular disease and weight gain
2.8 Chest pain and angina
2.9 Acute coronary syndrome
2.10 Heart failure
2.11 Palpitations
2.12 Atrial fibrillation
2.13 Dyslipidaemia
2.14Hypertension

Neurological problems

2.15 Headache
2.16 Transient ischaemic attack
2.17 Weakness and wasting
2.18 TMultiple sclerosis
2.19 Tremor

Locomotor problems

2.20 Back pain
2.21 Joint pain

Eye problems

2.22 Visual loss

Endocrine problems

2.23 Type 1 diabetes mellitus
2.24 Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Renal and metabolic problems

2.25 Acute renal failure
2.26 Chronic kidney disease and renal replacement therapy
2.27 Glomerulonephritis
2.28 Systemic vasculitis
2.29 Hypercalcaemia
2.30 Hyponatraemia
2.31 Poisoning and metabolic disturbance

Haematological problems

2.32 Anaemia
2.33 Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
2.34 Purpura
2.35 Haemophilia
2.36 Deep vein thrombosis
2.37 Thrombophilic tendency
2.38 Myeloma

Infectious disease

2.39 Human immunodeficiency virus infection

Other general internal medicine and elderly care problems

2.40 Falls and rehabilitation
2.41 Syncope
2.42 Seizures
2.43 Acute confusion
2.44 Mild cognitive impairment and dementia
2.45 Incontinence
2.46 Raised inflammatory markers
2.47 Polymyalgia and giant cell arteritis
2.48 Pyrexia and sepsis
2.49 Weight loss
2.50 Tiredness

STATION 3: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Examination of the cardiovascular system

Cases

3.1 Mitral stenosis
3.2 Mitral regurgitation
3.3 Aortic stenosis
3.4 Aortic regurgitation
3.5 Tricuspid regurgitation and Ebstein's anomaly
3.6 Other right-sided heart murmurs
3.7 Mixed valve disease
3.8 Mitral valve prolapse
3.9 Prosthetic valves
3.10 Permanent pacemaker
3.11 Infective endocarditis
3.12 Congenital heart disease
3.13 Cyanotic heart disease
3.14 Hypertrophic (obstructive) cardiomyopathy
3.15 Pericardial rub and pericardial disease

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Examination of the nervous system

- Overview of the organisation of the nervous system and how to examine it
- Cranial nerves
- Higher cortical function and specific lobes
- Speech and language
- Power and sensation
- Upper limbs
- Lower limbs
- Gait

Cases

3.16 Visual field defects
3.17 Ocular nerve lesions
3.18 Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
3.19 Nystagmus
3.20 Ptosis
3.21 Large pupil
3.22 Small pupil
3.23 Horner's syndrome
3.24 Cerebellopontine angle syndrome
3.25 Facial nerve palsy
3.26 Bulbar palsy
3.27 Anterior circulation stroke syndromes
3.28 Dysphasia and dysarthria
3.29 Pseudobulbar palsy
3.30 Agnosias and apraxias
3.31 Posterior circulation stroke syndromes
3.32 Parkinson's disease
3.33 Cerebellar disease
3.34 Spastic paraparesis and Brown Sequard syndrome
3.35 Syringomyelia
3.36 Absent ankle jerks and extensor plantars
3.37 Motor neurone disease
3.38 Cervical myeloradiculopathy
3.39 Cauda equina syndrome
3.40 Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve lesion)
3.41 Ulnar nerve lesion
3.42 Radial nerve lesion
3.43 Wasting of the small (intrinsic) muscles of the hand
3.44 Common peroneal nerve lesion
3.45 Peripheral neuropathy
3.46 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and hereditary neuropathies
3.47 Guillain-Barre syndrome
3.48 Myasthenia gravis
3.49 Myotonic dystrophy

STATION 4: COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND ETHICS

COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND ETHICS

Introduction to communication skills and ethics

Cases

Discussing clinical management

4.1 Explaining a diagnosis
4.2 Explaining an investigation
4.3 Discussing a treatment
4.4 Discussing management, prognosis and possible complications in a patient with multiple problems
4.5 Discussing diagnostic uncertainty
4.6 Discussing risk and treatment effect
4.7 Negotiating a management plan for a chronic disease/long-term condition
4.8 Encouraging concordance with treatment and prevention

Communication in special circumstances

4.9 Cross-cultural communication
4.10 Communicating with angry patients or relatives
4.11 Communicating with upset and distressed relatives
4.12 Discharge against medical advice
4.13 Delayed discharge

Breaking bad news

4.14 Cancer - potentially curable
4.15 Cancer - likely incurable
4.16 Cancer - patient not fit for active treatment
4.17 Chronic disease
4.18 Discussing an acutely terminal situation with relatives

Confidentiality, consent and capacity

4.19 Legal points in confidentiality
4.20 Breaching confidentiality when a third party may be at risk
4.21 Breaching confidentiality in the public interest
4.22 Confidentiality when talking with relatives and other third parties
4.23 Consent for investigation or treatment
4.24 Consent and capacity
4.25 Refusal to consent
4.26 Deliberate self-harm

End of life issues

4.27 Resuscitation-status decision-making discussion with patient
4.28 Resuscitation status decision-making discussion with relative
4.29 Appropriateness of intensive therapy unit transfer
4.30 Withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatments - Artificial hydration and nutrition
4.31 Withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatments - antibiotics and drugs
4.32 Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostromy feeding
4.33 Palliative care
4.34 Advance directives/decisions
4.35 Persistent vegetative state
4.36 Brainstem death
4.37 Discussing live organ donation
4.38 Requesting an autopsy (post-mortem)

Clinical Governance

4.39 Critical incident
4.40 Managing a complaint and the question of negligence
4.41 Fitness to practice - poor peformance in a colleague
4.42 Fitness to practice - misconduct in a colleague
4.43 Fitness to practice - health problems in a colleague
4.44 Recruitment to a randomised controlled trial

Other communication, ethical and legal scenarios

4.45 Genetic testing
4.46 HIV testing
4.47 Needlestick injury
4.48 Medical opinion on fitness for anaesthesia
4.49 Fitness to drive
4.50 Industrial injury benefits

STATION 5: SKIN, LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM, EYES, ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

SKIN

Examination of the skin

Cases

5.1 Psoriasis
5.2 Dermatitis
5.3 Lichen planus
5.4 Blistering skin condititions
5.5 Facial rash
5.6 Scleroderma, vitiligo and autoimmune skin disease
5.7 Oral lesions
5.8 Nail lesions
5.9 Shin lesions
5.10 Neurofibromatosis
5.11 Tuberose sclerosis
5.12 Neoplastic skin lesions
5.13 Skin vasculitis
5.14 Xanthomata and xanthelasmata
5.15 Skin and soft tissue infection

LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM

Examination of the joints

Examination of the hands and arms

Examination of the legs

Examination of the spine

Cases

5.16 Rheumatoid hands and rheumatoid arthritis
5.17 Ankylosing spondylitis and spondyloarthropathies
5.18 Systemic lupus erythematosus
5.19 Scleroderma
5.20 Crystal arthropathy
5.21 Osteoarthritis
5.22 Paget's disease
5.23 Marfan's syndrome
5.24 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
5.25 Osteogenesis imperfecta

EYES

Examination of the eyes

Cases

5.26 Diabetic retinopathy
5.27 Hypertensive retinopathy
5.28 Swollen optic disc and papilloedema
5.29 Optic atrophy
5.30 Chorioretinitis
5.31 Retinitis pigmentosa
5.32 Central retinal vein occlusion
5.33 Central retinal artery occlusion
5.34 Retinal detachment and vitreous haemorrhage
5.35 Drusen and age-related macula degeneration (asteroids)
5.36 Angioid streaks
5.37 Myelinated nerve fibres
5.38 Glaucoma
5.39 Cataracts
5.40 Uveitis and red eye

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Examination of the thyroid

Cases

5.41 Hyperthyroidism and Grave's disease
5.42 Hypothyroidism
5.43 Goitre and neck lumps
5.44 Acromegaly
5.45 Hypopituitarism
5.46 Cushing's syndrome
5.47 Hypoadrenalism and Addison's disease
5.48 Hirsutism and polycystic ovarian syndrome
5.49 Hypogonadism and gynaecomastia
5.50 Pseudohypoparathyroidism

APPENDIX 100 tips for passing PACES

INDEX