Emergency Medicine Board Bombs

Normal labs. Normal vitals. Normal-looking patients — and catastrophic misses.

In this Rapid Bombs–style episode, we break down five classic Emergency Medicine traps that routinely fool learners and practicing clinicians. These are the questions the boards love and the mistakes the ED punishes.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain. 275. Tox & Cardiology Traps That Kill. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠

In Part 2 of this topic on diverticulitis, we cover risk stratification, red flags, and when antibiotics are appropriate. Learn how to safely discharge diverticulitis patients without antibiotics, counsel them effectively, and avoid common medico-legal pitfalls. This is outpatient diverticulitis management the way boards (and modern practice) expect it.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 274. Diverticulitis: Outpatient Management Without Antibiotics (Part 2). Accessed [date].

⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠

For years, antibiotics were automatic for diverticulitis—but the evidence has changed. So has the Board exam. In Part 1, we break down uncomplicated diverticulitis, why most outpatient cases don’t need antibiotics, and how to confidently manage these patients without over-treatment. If you’re still reflexively reaching for ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, this episode will blow your mind.

Holiday Heart Syndrome is back for the season—and so are the AFib patients who swear they “only had a few drinks.” In this high-yield episode, we break down exactly who you can cardiovert safely in the ED. Learn the real <48-hour rule, how stroke risk actually changes the decision, and why holiday-triggered AFib is often the best rhythm to fix quickly. Fast pearls, no fluff, pure ED mastery.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 271. Nov 10th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

CT or not CT? That is the PECARN question. Quick hits on when to scan (and when to save that kid from a lifetime of unnecessary radiation).

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 271. Nov 10th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

Hypoglycemia can mimic anything — from altered mental status to stroke. In this episode, we break down how to recognize, treat, and prevent rebound hypoglycemia in the ED. Learn the key pitfalls, IV vs oral glucose strategies, and when to think beyond insulin.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, iltifat. 270. Hypoglycemia- you're not you when you're hungry. Oct 28th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

This is Part 2 of our special on PNA. Do all admitted pneumonia patients need IV antibiotics? What if they ate kale chips on arrival? In Part 2, we break down IV vs PO data, inpatient CAP regimens, when to cover for MRSA and Pseudomonas, and how to distinguish hospital-acquired from community-acquired pneumonia.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, iltifat. 269. CAP Simplified. Oct 13th, 2025. Accessed [date].

**This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode**. Your patient believes antibiotics are a conspiracy. But you just diagnosed him with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In Part 1, we cover outpatient antibiotic choices, resistance trends, ED decision tools, and why his “wellness spa” doesn’t change your diagnosis.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 268. Kale Chips and CAP. Oct 6th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

When wheezing goes silent, things get real. Let's do a rapid-fire breakdown of how to manage life-threatening asthma in the ED — with pearls that might just save a life. Vent settings, epi hacks, ketamine tricks, and more in under 15 minutes.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 267. Crashing Asthmatic: ED Management That Saves Lives. Sep 29th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

A 56-year-old with a punch card’s worth of back pain visits shows up again. Half the time he gets an MRI, the other half he gets Tylenol and a pat on the back. Today, though, there’s a twist—maybe some new weakness. Is this just another routine shift… or the epidural abscess we’ve all been dreading? Tune in as we cut through the noise and break down what to actually do next.

Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠

Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 266. Spinal Epidural Abscess. Sep 15th, 2025. Accessed [date].

⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠