Trauma affects an estimated 8% of all pregnancies and is the leading cause of non-obstetric maternal morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy can complicate the evaluation of a trauma patient, and we must be aware of the normal anatomic and physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy, as well as the adjustments that must be made to our trauma algorithm. This post will review the keys to managing a pregnant trauma patient, as well as injuries and interventions specific to pregnancy…
Read MoreA 17-year-old female presents via EMS from her boyfriend’s home after a report of two separate episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizure like activity. She has no previous history of seizures. Per EMS, she was given versed on scene for seizure like activity lasting roughly 5 minutes. She was also febrile to 100.8°F. The emergency department team is unable to obtain a detailed history from the patient and unable to reach the family when the patient first presents to the ED…
Read MoreA 24-year-old female with a past medical history of polycystic ovarian syndrome and urinary tract infections, who presented to the emergency department (ED) via urgent care with acute on chronic worsening abdominal pain and a cystic structure in the pelvis on computed tomography (CT) scan…
Read MoreA 32-year-old female with no significant past medical history presents to the emergency department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and bloating. The patient reports her last menstrual period was about 2 months prior to presentation. She was evaluated about one-month ago, at which time she was told that a pelvic ultrasound revealed an intrauterine gestation sac without a fetal pole or yolk sac, suspicious for early pregnancy failure. The patient subsequently developed vaginal bleeding, associated with abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting. She interpreted these symptoms as a miscarriage. The patient states that the vaginal bleeding has since subsided, but she endorses continued and progressive nausea, vomiting, and bloating. She is unable to tolerate oral intake. She denies fever, headache, abdominal pain, back pain, vaginal discharge/odor/pain, dysuria, or diarrhea…
Read MoreThe following are two cases of vaginal bleeding seen in the a community Emergency Department during the same shift…
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