Key Points Print Section Listen Cyclic antidepressants remain a leading cause of poisoning-related fatalities among psychoactive medications. Patients will frequently present with minimal signs and symptoms only to abruptly decompensate…
Key Points Print Section Listen Consider carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in all patients with headaches, flu-like symptoms, altered mental status, or an unexplained anion gap metabolic acidosis. Immediately administer supplemental…
Key Points Print Section Listen Salicylate toxicity causes a mixed respiratory alkalosis, metabolic alkalosis, and elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis. Chronically intoxicated patients will be more seriously ill at lower…
Key Points Print Section Listen Consider toxic alcohol poisoning in cases of an unexplained anion gap acidosis or an elevated osmol gap. Focus your initial treatment on the early inhibition…
Key Points Print Section Listen Acetaminophen is the most popular over-the-counter analgesic in the United States and is widely prescribed in combination form with alternative pain relievers, resulting in frequent…
Key Points Print Section Listen Respiratory disorders are potentially life-threatening and must be identified and treated rapidly. Certain physiologic differences make pediatric patients more at risk of respiratory failure than…
Key Points Print Section Listen Distinguish between acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME), both of which present with a middle ear effusion. Clinical findings most suggestive…
Key Points Print Section Listen A thorough history of present illness including information gathered from available friends, family, and emergency medical service personnel can be invaluable in the management of…
Key Points Print Section Listen Currant jelly stool is a late finding in intussusception. In appendicitis, young children have a very high rate of rupture on presentation. If bilious vomiting…
Key Points Print Section Listen Dehydration is not a disease; the underlying cause must be identified and treated. Severity of dehydration can be classified using clinical assessment. Management priorities in…
