Key Points Print Section Listen Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia represent a spectrum of potentially life-threatening diseases that must be diagnosed and treated aggressively. Consider preeclampsia in any pregnant patient…
Key Points Print Section Listen Obtain a pregnancy test in any woman of childbearing age who presents with vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. Risk factors are absent in more than…
Key Points Print Section Listen Analgesic administration should not be delayed while obtaining laboratory and radiology studies. Abdominal aortic aneurysm should be considered in the differential of elderly patients being…
Key Points Print Section Listen Consider the diagnosis of testicular torsion in any male with abdominal pain. Perform a genitourinary (GU) examination on males complaining of abdominal pain, even if…
Key Points Print Section Listen Assemble sufficient staff and supplies to care for both the mother and newborn. When vaginal bleeding is present, defer the pelvic examination until placenta previa…
Key Points Print Section Listen Vaginal discharge is a common presenting complaint in reproductive-age women. Possible diagnoses include vaginitis, cervicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Clinical evaluation for the diagnosis…
Key Points Print Section Listen A high index of suspicion is needed for the initial diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly in the context of atypical presenting symptoms. Consider…
Key Points Print Section Listen Differentiate a contaminated urinalysis from urinary tract infection (UTI). Obtain a catheterized urine specimen when the diagnosis is in question. Send a urine culture only…
Key Points Print Section Listen The classic presentation of mesenteric ischemia is acute abdominal pain that is “out of proportion” to exam. The majority of patients with mesenteric ischemia have…
