Miscellaneous Er Facts

Front 1

Fluid analysis of the knee joint reveals presence of positive birefringent crystals. What is the diagnosis?

Back 1

PseudoGout
Uric acid crystals are NEGATIVELY birefringent.

Front 2

Administration of magnesium is dangerous in the presence of which electrolyte abnormality?

Back 2

hyperK

Front 3

When is the insertion of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube contraindicated ? What procedure should be done prior to the insertion of the tube?

Back 3

Hiatal hernias, peptic ulcer disease, bleeding from esophageal lacerations, inability of the patient to protect airway.

Endoscopy should precede the insertion

Front 4

What are two complications of the use of the esophageal obturator airway?

Back 4

Intubation of the trachea, aspiration of gastric contents

Front 5

What is the most frequent cause of malpractice claims against ER physicians?

Back 5

Failure to diagnose fractures

Front 6

In a disaster situation, the patient with barely palpable blood pressure should be categorized as ____ ____

Back 6

First priority

Front 7

In the hospital phase of disaster management, where should the control center be located?

Back 7

Near but not in the ER.

Front 8

Clinical presentation: The patient complains of sudden onset of shortness of breath when dining out in a restaurant. Physical findings include inspiratory stridor and bilateral expiratory wheezing. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Back 8

Acute anaphylactic reaction

Front 9

If the patient has a wound which requires suturing but the patient claims that he is allergic to lidocaine, what are the available options

Back 9

1. use anesthetic from another family
2. Give the patient a 0.1 ml test dose of lido intradermally from a single dose vial (multidose vials contain methylparaben, a preservative tht is the usual culprit of most lido rxn)
3. Inject benadryl 1%

Front 10

Scalded skin syndrome is usually caused by a ____ in children (generally less than five years old). Toxic epidermal necrolysis, on the other hand, is most often caused by a ___ ___ in adults.

Back 10

staph infx (children)
drug/toxin reaction (adults)

Front 11

What is the most common cause of erythema multiforme?

Back 11

Viral, esp HSV

Front 12

The herald patch is closely associated with _____.

Back 12

ptyriasis rosea

Front 13

Clinical presentation: A patient complains of rash. He was given a thiazide diuretic recently by the family Physician. The rash is flakey or scaly and is erythematous. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Back 13

exfoliative dermatitis