Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Key Points Print Section Listen Aggressive resuscitative measures (intravenous access, crystalloid bolus, and blood products) are necessary in unstable patients with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. A negative nasogastric lavage does not…

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Appendicitis

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Appendicitis

Key Points Print Section Listen The absence of leukocytosis or the presence of diarrhea does not rule out appendicitis. Appendicitis is a clinical diagnosis, with imaging aiding in atypical presentations…

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Acute Abdominal Pain

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Acute Abdominal Pain

Key Points Print Section Listen primary survey should be conducted to rapidly screen for vascular catastrophes, abdominal sepsis, or perforated viscus. Appendicitis should always be on the differential diagnosis for…

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Dysrhythmias

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Dysrhythmias

Key Points Print Section Listen Quickly address airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs), provide supplemental O2, secure intravenous access, and initiate continuous cardiac monitoring. Rapidly distinguish between stable versus unstable…

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Asthma

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Asthma

Key Points Print Section Listen Patients with severe asthma exacerbations may have such severe restriction of airflow that they do not exhibit wheezing on examination. Beta-2 agonists are the mainstay…

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Airway Management

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Airway Management

Key Points Print Section Listen Rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) is the preferred method for endotracheal tube placement in the emergency department. The decision to intubate should always be made on clinical…

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Aortic Dissection

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Aortic Dissection

Key Points Print Section Listen Always consider aortic dissection in patients presenting with the acute onset of chest or thoracic back pain. Initiate a rapid reduction in heart rate and…

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Acute Coronary Syndromes

Key Points Print Section Listen Consider acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the initial assessment of all patients presenting with chest pain and/or difficulty breathing. Atypical presentations are common, especially in…

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Key Points Print Section Listen Respiratory infections are responsible for most acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Beta-adrenergic agonists and anticholinergic drugs remain the primary bronchodilators and are…

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Pulmonary Embolism

Jan 3, 2019 by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE Comments Off on Pulmonary Embolism

Key Points Print Section Listen Consider pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with complaints of dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, or syncope. Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, or tachypnea is present in 92%…

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