Intro to EM Flashcards
what is the order of work in EM? (4)
discharge patients
check for pending results needed to make clinical decisions
admit or discharge
see new patients
what is the most dangerous time in the ED?
patient turnover
how to do patient turnover? (mnemonic)
“HEAL IN T”
History
Exam
Assessment
Labs
Imaging
Necessary orders/results/consults
Tentative disposition
what history should always be taken?
“AMPLE”
Allergies
Medications
Pertinent PMH/SxH
Last meal/bowel movement/urination
Events leading to it
what should guide your labs and imaging?
differential diagnosis
in regards to diagnostics, chest pain needs at least 2 _____
EKGs
what’s the rule for oral meds vs IV meds?
give oral meds when possible
what is the general EM safety net? (5)
peripheral IV
oxygen supplementation
monitor vital signs
chest xray
CBC, CMP
a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay
Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act 1986 (EMTALA)
who becomes the medical decision maker when a patient is unresponsive with unclear wishes?
next-of-kin
in a pediatric patient, what is medication dosing based on?
weight
how do geriatric patients typically present when compared to regular, adult patients?
less acute
in a geriatric patient, altered mental status is a common symptom of what? (5)
“PUMPS”
Polypharmacy
UTI
Meds (new)
Pain
Sepsis
in a geriatric patient, what symptom may represent infection?
hypothermia
what medications should be avoided in geriatric patients? why?
anti-histamines
can cause delirium/excitation
