Key Points Print Section Listen New-onset psychiatric illness requires a comprehensive emergency department work-up. Consider a medical etiology. Prior psychiatric illness with similar presentation does not require an extensive work-up….
Key Points Print Section Listen Rapid identification of life-threatening rashes and immediate treatment can be life-saving. If there is any uncertainty of etiology in a given case, treat presumptively for…
Key Points Print Section Listen Epinephrine is the first-line medication for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Second-line treatment consists of antihistamines and corticosteroids. Urticaria may be the first sign of what…
Key Points Print Section Listen Use the NEXUS criteria and/or Canadian C-Spine rules to determine which patients require radiographic imaging. Forego plain films and proceed directly to computed tomography imaging…
Key Points Print Section Listen When assessing a painful extremity, vascular compromise must be excluded first. A patient who has fallen on an outstretched hand and has tenderness in the…
Key Points Print Section Listen Thoracic trauma is the second leading cause of traumatic death in the United States. All patients require a rapid primary survey focused on patient airway,…
Key Points Print Section Listen If a hip fracture is suspected in an elderly patient, but plain radiographs are negative, obtain a computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Delay…
Key Points Print Section Listen History and physical examination alone will lead to the diagnosis in most patients presenting with acute visual loss. The most important first step in addressing…
Key Points Print Section Listen A normal physical examination cannot be used as the sole means to exclude significant injury in patients with abdominal trauma. Hemodynamically unstable patients with penetrating…
