Acute Abdominal Pain
Key Points Print Section Listen primary survey should be conducted to rapidly screen for vascular catastrophes, abdominal sepsis, or perforated viscus. Appendicitis should always be on the differential diagnosis for…
Dysrhythmias
Key Points Print Section Listen Quickly address airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs), provide supplemental O2, secure intravenous access, and initiate continuous cardiac monitoring. Rapidly distinguish between stable versus unstable…
Airway Management
Key Points Print Section Listen Rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) is the preferred method for endotracheal tube placement in the emergency department. The decision to intubate should always be made on clinical…
Aortic Dissection
Key Points Print Section Listen Always consider aortic dissection in patients presenting with the acute onset of chest or thoracic back pain. Initiate a rapid reduction in heart rate and…
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Key Points Print Section Listen Consider acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the initial assessment of all patients presenting with chest pain and/or difficulty breathing. Atypical presentations are common, especially in…
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Key Points Print Section Listen Respiratory infections are responsible for most acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Beta-adrenergic agonists and anticholinergic drugs remain the primary bronchodilators and are…
Pulmonary Embolism
Key Points Print Section Listen Consider pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with complaints of dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, or syncope. Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, or tachypnea is present in 92%…
Congestive Heart Failure
Key Points Print Section Listen A normal ejection fraction does not exclude congestive heart failure (CHF), as CHF can occur secondary to either systolic or diastolic dysfunction. Nitroglycerin is the…
