Fever Differential Diagnosis of Fever Infection Bacterial Meningitis, upper/lower respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis), endocarditis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, cellulitis, diverticulitis, upper and lower genitourinary infections Viral Common cold, HIV, mononucleosis, hepatitis…
Falls Potential causes Acute medical Myocardial infarction Arrhythmias Stroke Seizures Hypotension (rule out gastrointestinal bleed, sepsis, dehydration, drug-induced orthostasis, myocardial infarction) Chronic medical Electrolyte abnormalities Metabolic disorders Vasovagal attacks Psychiatric…
Emergency Contraception General Considerations Medicolegal considerations include ensuring adequate and detailed informed consent, presence of capacity to make medical decisions, and multidisciplinary management of victims recently sexually assaulted. Review applicable…
Electrolyte Disturbances Electrolyte Etiology ClinicalFeatures Management Hypernatremia Hypovolemic Renal Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus Renal tubular dysfuntion Medications (e.g., thiazide, loop diuretics) Osmotic diuresis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state Nonrenal Gastrointestinal…
Dyspnea/Shortness of Breath Differential Diagnosis of Dyspnea Cardiovascular Congestive cardiac failure Acute myocardial infarction Cardiomyopathy Pericarditis Pulmonary Upper airway obstruction Asthma Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pleuritis Pneumonia Pulmonary embolism Pneumothorax…
Diabetes Mellitus General Considerations Normal glucose tolerance is defined by fasting plasma glucose <100 mg/dL. Impaired fasting glucose is defined by fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL. Impaired glucose tolerance and…
Constipation Etiology Functional Sedentary lifestyle or prolonged immobilization Low-fiber diet Low fluid intake Poor bowel habits, including ignoring the urge to defecate Pregnancy Medications Anticholinergics Antidepressants, particularly tricyclic antidepressants Antipsychotics,…
Chest Pain General Considerations Chest pain may be the first sign of a medical emergency and needs immediate attention. Always evaluate in person and immediately. When called about a patient…
Cellulitis Pathogens Gram-positive cocci, especially Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical features Most commonly on the lower extremities.Predisposing factors may include tinea pedis of the toe web with fissuring, IV…
