Blog

Which of the following deficits below the level of injury is consistent with anterior cord syndrome? Loss of total sensation and motor function Bladder and bowel incontinence and loss of motor function Loss of motor function only Loss of vibration and position sensation and motor function Loss of pain and temperature sensation and motor functionRead more

Retrobulbar hemorrhage can result in what devastating condition? Corneal abrasion Hypopyon Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) Hyphema Corneal ulcer         Answer:   Central retinal artery occlusion  (CRAO) Retrobulbar hemorrhage results from ocular trauma almost always seen with some orbital wall fracture (although not all are associated with trauma it is by farRead more

63 M complaining of erythema and pain to right side of his face for 3-4 days after being scratched by some metal. Right eye swollen shut with erythema and tenderness surrounding.   Orbital Cellulitis v. Preseptal Cellulitis 1. Preseptal Cellulitis  (also known as Periorbital) – infection of soft tissue anterior to  orbital septum (DOES NOTRead more

Might as well finish the week off with just a bit more about suturing!!! Aftercare (what do you tell your patients!!) – Ointment (antibiotic for example) and dressing immediately after lac repair: Not much out there evidence wise what I could find indicates doing this Moisture promotes re-epithelialization Xeroform with gauze isn’t a bad ideaRead more

Let’s keep on the suturing topic and talk technique! Interrupted suture– most commonly used in ED to close percutaneous wound Wound edges must be everted Needle enters skin @ 90 degrees with the suture loop as wide as it is deep to the skin surface Try and get similar width and depth on both sides PlacedRead more

Monofilament v. multifilament (braided or twisted) – Monofilament – stronger, low tissue drag and harbor less infection. But DO NOT handle as easily and multifilament Multifilament- handles easily but promotes tissue infection and reactivity as it acts as a capillary allowing liquids an bacteria to travel along the strand easily Tensile strength- Higher number ofRead more

47 y/o M BIBEMS altered mental status (wife called EMS from out of country because husband hasn’t been heard from in 2 days) no history available from patient.  ? short lasting tonic-clonic activity noted on arrival. Vitals: 101.7  128  140/91 19  96%   FS 143 PE remarkable for an agitated male, AOx1 not following basic commands.Read more

22 y/o F 35 weeks gestation being treated with magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia in your ED awaiting transfer to nearby hospital for definitive care. You go to re-evaluate the patient and find her somnolent, decreased respiratory drive and decreased deep tendon reflexes. After managing the airway what is the next step in management: Dexamethasone LidocaineRead more

Back to some more Board-Style questions: 56 y/o F with acute organophosphate overdose, severe bronchorrhea, bradycardia and coma. She is intubated for airway protection and atropine therapy initiated. After 10 mg Atropine her HR is 130, BP 160/90 and secretions are still copious. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?Read more

32 F – presents with AMS. EMS reports neighbors smelled gas and called 911. They found patient unresponsive (? Sleeping) initially in the apt.  Patient doesn’t remember these events  but does recall that she is staying at a friends and had a few drinks earlier in the night mixed with 1 Xanax. nd isn’t sureRead more