Key Points Print Section Listen Use of ultrasound by emergency physicians has grown significantly in the last decade. Emergent applications include the setting of trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, ectopic pregnancy,…
Key Points Print Section Listen Do not confuse a pulmonary bleb or bullae for a pneumothorax. The neurovascular bundle runs inferior to each rib. Always enter the thoracic cavity over…
Key Points Print Section Listen Cardiac disease is the most common cause of nontraumatic death in the United States. There are more than 300,000 sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) each year…
Key Points Print Section Listen Emergency medical services (EMS) is the extension of emergency medical care into the prehospital setting. The U.S. EMS Systems Act of 1973 established key elements…
Key Points Print Section Listen Knowledge of anatomical landmarks and proper sterile technique are important when performing a lumbar puncture (LP). Absolute contraindications to LP are skin infection over puncture…
Key Points Print Section Listen Arterial puncture for blood gas analysis is a common procedure performed in the emergency department (ED). Blood obtained from the radial artery can be used…
Key Points Print Section Listen Procedural sedation is the administration of analgesic and sedative agents to induce a depressed level of consciousness so that a medical procedure can be performed…
Key Points Print Section Listen Incision and drainage is the procedure of choice for subcutaneous abscesses. Antibiotics are not necessary unless there is associated cellulitis. Abscesses should be probed with…
