Death of a Child in the Emergency Department
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen The death of a child in an emergency department (ED) has profound effects on the surviving family members as well as the physicians and other…
Lightning and Electrical Injuries
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen Even low-voltage electrical injuries can be fatal and often show no external burns. Higher-energy electrical injury can cause massive muscle damage and release of myoglobin….
Psychiatric Emergencies
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen In all cases of psychiatric emergencies, organic disease must be ruled out. The majority of adolescents are relieved to discuss psychiatric issues and actively seek…
Pediatric Burns
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen Burns are the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury–related death in children. Children younger than 4 years typically suffer scald-related burns, whereas older children typically…
Dysbaric Injuries
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen An air embolism is the most serious dysbaric injury and requires aggressive care, which includes 100% oxygen, intravenous fluids, and hyperbaric treatment. Patients with suspected…
Methemoglobinemia
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen Suspect methemoglobinemia in patients with cyanosis unresponsive to 100% oxygen. The antidote for methemoglobinemia is methylene blue. In patients with methemoglobinemia, conventional pulse oximetry produces…
Human and Animal Bites
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen Pasteurella species are common in dog and cat bite wound infections. Eikenella corrodens is a common pathogen in human bite wounds. Rabies and tetanus prophylaxis…
Hydrocarbons
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen The primary concern after hydrocarbon ingestion is pulmonary toxicity. Viscosity, surface tension, and volatility are three important properties to assess the toxicity of liquid hydrocarbons….
Organophosphates and Carbamates
HIGH-YIELD FACTS Print Section Listen Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides inactivate the enzyme acetylcholinesterase producing a cholinergic crisis, with the immediate threat to life being respiratory failure. The diagnosis of organophosphate…
