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Opening (30 s)
"Asplenia and Post-Splenectomy Care — give a one-line definition and the single most important immediate risk."
Model: Asplenia (surgical, congenital, or functional from sickle cell) predisposes to overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) from encapsulated organisms (Strep pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae). Management: vaccination (PCV13, PPSV23, MenACWY, MenB, Hib) at least 2 weeks before elective splenectomy or 2 weeks after emergency; lifelong daily antibiotic prophylaxis (phenox
Station 1 — Pathophysiology (2 min)
Explain the mechanism chain from cause to clinical features and one major complication.
Station 2 — Clinical diagnosis (2 min)
Classic presentation, atypical groups, named bedside signs, and what you examine for red flags.
Red flag cue: Fever in an asplenic patient = OPSI until proven otherwise - empirical ceftriaxone 2 g IV/IM and admit; do not wait for blood cultures
Station 3 — Investigations (2 min)
First-line tests, definitive tests, and any named score with exact components.
Station 4 — Emergency management (3 min)
ABC priorities, first drugs with dose and route, procedures, and when to escalate to ICU/theatre.
Station 5 — Definitive / long-term care (2 min)
Stepwise definitive therapy, monitoring, complications of treatment, follow-up.
Station 6 — Special populations (2 min)
Child / pregnancy / elderly / immunocompromised / renal impairment — what changes.
Station 7 — Evidence & pitfalls (2 min)
Landmark trial or guideline name if standard; three classic exam traps.
Station 8 — Rapid-fire pearls (1 min)
Five high-yield facts a candidate must not forget under time pressure.
Examiner pass criteria
- Speaks in mechanisms and numbers, not vague lists
- Gives at least one exact dose or threshold
- Names escalation criteria
- Avoids dangerous delays (imaging when unstable, etc.)