Emergency Medicine Flashcards
DDx Chest Pain (Urgent)
- MI
- Pericarditis
- Aortic Dissection
- PE
- Pneumothorax (hyperresonance, decreased air entry, tracheal deviation)
- Esophageal Perforation (vomit, trauma, subcutaneous emphysema)
Wells Criteria
(/15)
- Clinically suspected DVT — 3.0 points
- Alternative diagnosis is less likely than PE — 3.0 points
- Tachycardia (heart rate > 100) — 1.5 points
- Immobilization (≥ 3d)/surgery in last 4 weeks — 1.5 points
- Hx DVT or PE — 1.5 points
- Hemoptysis — 1.0 points
- Malignancy (Tx w/in 6 months) or palliative — 1.0 points
Traditional interpretation
- Score >6.0 — High (probability 59%)
- Score 2.0 to 6.0 — Moderate (probability 29%)
- Score <2.0 — Low (probability 15%)
Alternative interpretation[10][13]
- Score > 4 — PE likely & image
- Score 4 or less — PE unlikely & consider D-dimer to rule out PE
Signs of Basal Skull Fracture
- Battle’s Sign (bruised amstoid process)
- Hemotympanum
- Racoon eyes (periorbital bruising)
- CSF rhinorrhea/otorrhea
Best Immaging for Intracranial Injury
Non-contrast CT
GCS Eyes
Eyes Open
- Nothing
- To Pain
- To Voice
- Spontaneously
GCS: Motor
Best Motor Response
- Nothing
- Decerebrate = extension
- Decorticate = flexion
- Withdraws from pain
- Localizes pain
- Obeys commands
GCS: Verbal
Best Verbal Response
- None
- Sounds
- Inappropriate words (wrong topic)
- Confused, disoriented (wrong answer)
- Appropriate answer
Fluid Maintenance Rule
4:2:1
4mL/kg/hr for first 10 kg
2mL/kg/hr for next 10 kg
1mL/kg/hr after 20 kg
3:1 Crystalloid Rule
Since crystalloids move to extravascular space, need to give 3 x estimated bloods loss, versus colloids
3 DDx for unilateral, dilated, non-reactive pupil (aka blown pupil)
Cranial nerve III (occulomotor) is damaged, so…
- Epidural hamtoma (lens shape)
- Subdural hematoma
- Focal mass lesion
3 Contraindications to Foley Insertion
- Blood at urethral meatus
- Scrotal hematoma
- High-riding prostate on DRE
Trauma Tests and Investigations
- Vital signs q5-15min
- ECG, BP, O2
- Foley catheter + NG tube
- CBC, lytes, BUN, Cr, glucose, amylase, INR/PTT, beta-HCG, toxicology screen, cross and type
7 Signs of ICP
- Deteriotating LOC (hallmark)
- Deterioating respiratory pattern
- Cushing reflex (high BP, low HR, irregular resp)
- Lateralizing CNS signs (cranial nerve palsies, hemiparesis)
- Seizures
- Papilledema
- N/V and headache
Cushing’s Reflex
A sign of ICP
- Increased BP
- Decreased HR
- Irregular Resps
What is the Cranial Vault
The cranial vault is formed by the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal bones, and the greater wings of the sphenoid bone.
Formula for Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)
CPP = MAP - ICP
What is MAP and how is it calculated?
mean arterial pressure
MAP = Diastolic Pressure + 1/3 (Systolic - diastolic pressure)
It represents an average of blood pressure, but the formula reflects the body is in diastole longer than systole
Treatment of Suspected ICP
- Raise stretcher head 20o (if hemodynamically stable)
- Intubate and hyperventilate (aim: pCO2 30-35mmHg)
- Mannitol 1g/kg infused rapidly
- GOAL: maintain CPP (=MAP - ICP)
Indications for C-Spine Collar
- Midline tenderness
- Neurological symptoms or signs
- Significant distracting injuries
- Head injury
- Intoxication
- Dangerous Mechanism
- History of altered LOC
What to palpate for along the spine?
- Tenderness
- Bony deformities
- Spinous process malalignment
- stop off
- spasms