Key Points Print Section Listen Pursue early endotracheal intubation in patients with significant inhalation injuries. Emergency escharotomy may be a life- or limb-saving procedure in patients with evidence of respiratory…

Key Points Print Section Listen The patient’s definition of “dizziness” must be clarified with a careful and explicit history taken by the health care provider. True vertigo must be differentiated…

Key Points Print Section Listen Always check a bedside glucose level in seizure patients. Monitor airway, breathing, and circulation in actively seizing patients and intervene when needed. Intravenous lorazepam is…

Key Points Print Section Listen Septic arthritis can lead to significant morbidity if not treated in a timely manner. Because the history and physical examination has limitations, arthrocentesis should be…

Key Points Print Section Listen Always begin with visual acuity, the vital sign of the eye. The patient should be instructed to remove contact lens and not to put them…

Key Points Print Section Listen Traumatic brain injury can be classified by severity into mild (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] ≥14), moderate (GCS 9–13), and severe (GCS ≤ 8) categories. An…

Key Points Print Section Listen Time is brain. Time of symptom onset is key to acute stroke treatment. Hypoglycemia and hypoxia can mimic stroke. Assess and treat these conditions early…

Key Points Print Section Listen Assess all trauma patients with a rapid primary survey followed by a more comprehensive secondary evaluation. Address all emergent life threats in a stepwise manner…

Key Points Print Section Listen Anterior epistaxis is more common than posterior epistaxis. Anterior epistaxis generally stops with pressure, but may require nasal packing. Posterior epistaxis requires emergent ear, nose,…

Key Points Print Section Listen Consider emergent causes of headache first. Have a low threshold to perform a computed tomography (CT) scan on patients with a possible emergent cause for…