You are working at Clerkship General when the nurse comes up to you and says, “Hey doc, EMS dropped off this guy named Randy from the memory care unit at the nursing home down the street. He’s in the hall bed outside of room 7. EMS says he’s here for confusion, we will get him […]

Episode summary coming soon!

You are working at Clerkship General when you hear an EMS call on the radio. “Clerkship General, we are bringing you a 3 year old female with complaints of altered mental status. We are pulling in now.” Initial Vitals: HR: 129 BP: 98/66 Temp: 99.7F RR: 35 O2: 99% Room Air Critical Actions:

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) – Autoimmune polyneuropathy that results in widespread demylination of peripheral nerves Typically occur 1 week after a triggering infection Paresthesias/Neuropathic Pain -> Ascending symmetric paralysis -> Respiratory Failure Major Diagnostic Criteria Treatment – IVIG and monitor respiratory status

Critical Actions:

Orbital Compartment Syndrome – needs to be diagnosed CLINICALLY On exam, LOOK for: Proptosis, Ophthalmoplegia, Afferent Pupillary Defect, Vision Loss On exam, FEEL for: Rock hard globe, tense eyelids, resistance to retropulsion IOP > 40 means immediate canthotomy is indicated! Don’t perform if open globe is present Lateral Canthotomy Procedure: Anesthetize, Devascularize, Canthotomy, Cantholysis (inferior […]

You are working at Clerkship General when the next chart is put into your rack. It’s a 76 year-old male who has fallen. Initial Vitals: HR: 101 BP: 138/85 Temp: 98.0F RR: 20 O2: 99% (Room Air) Critical Actions:

Symptoms of stroke – weakness, facial droop, slurred speech. vision loss, vertigo, ataxia, confusion or changes to mental status.   The “typical” stroke workup – blood glucose level, CTH non-con, CTA head/neck, CT Perfusion, CBC BMP Troponin EKG CXR and Coags.  Common stroke mimics – hypoglycemia, drug/alcohol intoxication, Bell’s palsy, aortic dissection, complex migraines, and […]

You are working at Clerkship General when one of the nurses comes and grabs you. “Hey doc, we need you in bed 10. I think this patient is having a stroke.” Initial Vitals: HR: 51 BP: 201/98 Temp: 98.0F RR: 18 O2: 99% (Room Air) Critical Actions:

* Common during the first year of life as well as during puberty

* Presents with nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, and/or testicular pain

* ALWAYS examine a child for signs of torsion who presents with abdominal pain (especially lower abdominal pain)

* Look for tenderness, firmness, high riding testicle or testicle with unequal lie, swelling, and the absence of a cremasteric reflex

* Consult Urology IMMEDIATELY if you have high suspicion, otherwise proceed to ultrasound

* Ultrasound is only 85% sensitive, so clinical gestalt can trump even a negative US

* Attempt manual detorsion if there will be a significant delay to surgery