EM Clerkship

Hypoxemia fixed by only TWO things: FiO2 and PEEP Step 1: Add FiO2 * If the patient is breathing…* Nasal cannula* Non-rebreather mask* If the patient is NOT breathing…* Bag-valve mask Step 2: Add PEEP * *Cannot be completed in 60 seconds, but equipment can be requested* If patient is breathing…* BiPAP* If the patient is NOT breathing…* Intubation Additional Reading * Ventilator Basics (EM Clerkshi...

“Airway” does not necessarily mean “Intubation” Introduction * In emergency medicine we are taught “A-B-Cs”* These are actions that can be accomplished in first 60 seconds of patient encounter* Intubation takes several minutes to accomplish* Intubating a crashing patient might even KILL them!* Resuscitate THEN intubate Step 1: Suction * Immediately suction if patient is…* Altered and vomiting* Gur...

Don’t forget to wear protective gear. Gown up! Initial Encounter * History* Anticoagulants* Easy bleeding/bruising* Lightheadedness* Exam* Pallor* Tachycardia/Hypotension Step 1: Put on Personal Protective Equipment * Gown* Gloves* Mask* Eye Protection Step 2: Clear Nose and Visualize Bleeding * Have patient blow out/remove any clot and look for source of bleed* Kiesselbachs plexus* “Anterior” epi...

There are six cardiopulmonary causes of chest pain that you need to know. The SIX Causes * Cardiac* Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)* Pericarditis with tamponade* Pulmonary* Pneumonia* Pneumothorax* Vascular* Pulmonary embolism* Aortic dissection Step 1: Core Measures * Aspirin* EKG Step 2: Look for the “King” (Acute Coronary Syndrome) * Four high yield symptoms* Radiation to the RIGHT shoulder* Vomi...

Patient presentations are the single most important skill to develop for your Emergency Medicine rotation. General Principles * Stay focused, thorough, and organized* Write out the basic 8-step presentation for reference The 8-Step Patient Presentation * Summary statement* Demographics* Risk factors/Past medical history* Chief complaint* History* OPQRST* Try to give at least 4 descriptors* This is...

To Do Well On WRITTEN Exam * Study the “Core 4” body systems* Neurology* Headache* Strokes* Meningitis* Cardiology* Chest pain* ACS* EKG interpretation* Pulmonary* Shortness of breath* PE* GI* Abdominal pain* Nausea/vomiting* Appendicitis To Do Well In the DEPARTMENT * Study the “other stuff”* Epistaxis* Foley catheter issues* Rectal bleeding* Laceration repair* Rashes* Geriatric falls* Suicidal i...