A 67-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a mechanical fall from standing. During his trauma evaluation, he is found to have severe right-sided chest wall tenderness. His imaging demonstrates multiple right-sided rib fractures with an otherwise unremarkable workup. The patient is in significant discomfort and is given acetaminophen and morphine. Despite this, he remains in severe pain and has difficulty taking deep breaths. The patient is given an incentive spirometer and his maximum vital capacity is measured at 500 ml. What complications is this patient at risk of developing? What interventions can be performed in the emergency department to help manage his pain?
Read MoreAn 83-year-old male with a history of HFrEF (40%), CAD, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia presented to the ED with generalized weakness and fatigue. His vitals were remarkable for hypotension with a MAP of 58. On physical exam, the patient appeared non-toxic and was able to answer questions appropriately. He did not appear frankly fluid overloaded, other than mild, chronic peripheral edema. Additional laboratory studies and chest x-ray were performed. A fluid bolus was given to treat his hypotension, however there was minimal response. Given his heart failure, there was concern that aggressive fluid resuscitation would result in pulmonary edema. Additionally, inserting a central line and starting vasopressors is not without risk. Fortunately, this clinical team knows how to use ultrasound to do a proper volume assessment to manage this patient appropriately…
Read More“It would be unusual to go too many shifts as an emergency medicine provider without seeing the classic elderly female patient with hip pain after a fall. On exam, the patient would likely be uncomfortable with their hip appearing shortened and externally rotated on exam. Before you even view the X-ray, you know they likely fractured their hip. You ascertain whether it was a mechanical fall, if there were other injuries, if the injury is open or closed and if the patient is neurovascularly intact. You proceed to order your imaging and consider your plan for pain control. Sound familiar…”
Read MoreRenal ultrasound can be important in determining diagnosis, management, and next steps in the evaluation of a patient with flank or abdominal pain, hematuria, concern for stone and more.
Read MoreA 20-year-old female presents to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of a headache. Her headache started 8 days ago and is described as bifrontal. It is positional and gets worse when she bends forward but improves when she is sitting or standing. She had presented to 3 other EDs prior to this visit for her symptoms, and each time she was discharged with an intractable headache after receiving a migraine cocktail to no effect…
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