Urinalysis
Urinalysis Urine Finding Interpretation Specific gravity Workup of polyuria, acute renal failure, and rapid estimate of urine osmolarity. pH Normal 4.5-8.5 Workup of renal tubular acidosis, etiologic organisms for urinary…
Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy
Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy General Considerations Common side effects for nicotine therapy may include headache, insomnia, nightmares, nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision. Nicotine use may be contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation,…
Tuberculosis Screening
Tuberculosis Screening Screening High-risk individuals Immunocompromised individuals (particularly HIV positive) Immigrants from high prevalence countries Malnourished, homeless, and those living in overcrowded and substandard housing Alcoholics IV drug users Chronic…
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and Vomiting Differential Diagnosis of Nausea and Vomiting Gastrointestinal Obstruction/pseudo—obstruction Inflammation/infection—appendicitis, peritonitis, pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis (Staphylococcus aureas, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfingens), ingested poisons or toxins…
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome Three or more of the following risk factors are required for the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria. Risk Factor Defining Level Abdominal…
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid Disorders Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Common causes Primary (e.g, Hashimoto disease) Secondary (e.g., disorders of pituitary or hypothalamus) Iatrogenic (e.g., thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy) Inflammation—thyroiditis (e.g., postpartum) Drug-induced Lithium Glucocorticoids Graves…
Hypertension
Hypertension General Considerations Primary/essential hypertension—95% of all hypertension with no primary etiology identified. Secondary hypertension—5% secondary to causes including renal disease and endocrine disorders, among others. Elevated blood pressures should…
Human Bite
Human Bite Pathogens Streptococci Staphylococci Fusobacterium spp. Eikenella corrodens Evaluation Record mechanism of injury (such as closed fist) Assess location, depth, size, and type of wound Evidence of infection, including…
Viral Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis Type Transmission Risk Factors Serologies Hepatitis A Fecal-oral Contaminated food and water Children and caregivers in daycare centers Acute IgM anti-HAV+ Chronic N/A Recovered/latent IgG anti-HAV+ Vaccinated IgG…
Fever
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…
