Chest Pain
Key Points Print Section Listen Chest pain is a very common complaint in emergency department patients. A rapid electrocardiogram and chest x-ray will help distinguish between multiple emergent causes of…
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Introduction to Emergency Ultrasonography
Key Points Print Section Listen Use of ultrasound by emergency physicians has grown significantly in the last decade. Emergent applications include the setting of trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, ectopic pregnancy,…
Needle and Tube Thoracostomy
Key Points Print Section Listen Do not confuse a pulmonary bleb or bullae for a pneumothorax. The neurovascular bundle runs inferior to each rib. Always enter the thoracic cavity over…
Cardiopulmonary Arrest
Key Points Print Section Listen Cardiac disease is the most common cause of nontraumatic death in the United States. There are more than 300,000 sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) each year…
Emergency Medical Services
Key Points Print Section Listen Emergency medical services (EMS) is the extension of emergency medical care into the prehospital setting. The U.S. EMS Systems Act of 1973 established key elements…
Lumbar Puncture
Key Points Print Section Listen Knowledge of anatomical landmarks and proper sterile technique are important when performing a lumbar puncture (LP). Absolute contraindications to LP are skin infection over puncture…
Arterial Blood Gas
Key Points Print Section Listen Arterial puncture for blood gas analysis is a common procedure performed in the emergency department (ED). Blood obtained from the radial artery can be used…
Procedural Sedation
Key Points Print Section Listen Procedural sedation is the administration of analgesic and sedative agents to induce a depressed level of consciousness so that a medical procedure can be performed…
Incision and Drainage
Key Points Print Section Listen Incision and drainage is the procedure of choice for subcutaneous abscesses. Antibiotics are not necessary unless there is associated cellulitis. Abscesses should be probed with…
