What is the best way to study for public examination?

Microbiology Lab case study?

• A 65 year old man comes to the office with lower back pain. For the past 3 days he has had sharp burning pain in his lower left back which would sometimes radiates all way around to his abdomen. The pain comes and goes and is sometimes very severe. He denies fever, urinary, or GI symptoms. On examination there are clusters of vesicles extending from his lower left back to the midline of the abdomen. 1) What is the causative agent of the disease described in your case study? 2) What is the disease in your case study? 3) What is the prescribed treatment for your disease? 4) What factors or clues lead you to your diagnosis?

• Answer:

  That is herpes zoster outbreak. Without any other symptoms, the presentation of the rash (vesicles), the location (along a dermatome), plus his age (most common over 60 years). Give the poor man some antiviral medication (acyclovir), some medication for nerve pain (Lyrica), some narcotics (opiates), and some antihistamines for itching (benadryl). Tell him to stay away from people that haven't had chickenpox (contagious). Cold compresses, consider capsaisan cream to decrease chance of post- herpetic neuralgia. Sorry, I can't do all of your homework!