Acute Care and Emergency Medicine Flashcards

Which clinical feature best differentiates bacterial sinusitis from viral upper respiratory infection?

Answer: Symptoms worsening after initial improvement (double sickening)

Double sickening — initial improvement followed by worsening — is a hallmark feature suggesting bacterial superinfection in sinusitis.

A patient presents with suspected deep vein thrombosis. Which scoring system should be applied before ordering imaging?

Answer: Wells criteria

The Wells criteria stratify pretest probability for DVT and guide the decision to perform D-dimer testing or duplex ultrasound.

Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management for a simple febrile seizure in a 2-year-old?

Answer: Supportive care and fever management

Simple febrile seizures are self-limiting and benign; supportive care and antipyretics are appropriate without neuroimaging or anticonvulsants.

A patient with known COPD presents in acute exacerbation with SpO2 of 84%. What oxygen delivery target is appropriate?

Answer: SpO2 88–92%

COPD patients should be targeted to SpO2 88–92% to avoid hypercapnia worsening due to blunted hypoxic drive.

Which test is most sensitive for detecting acute pulmonary embolism?

Answer: CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)

CT pulmonary angiography is the gold-standard imaging modality for diagnosing PE with high sensitivity and specificity.

A 60-year-old male presents with sudden painless vision loss in one eye. Which diagnosis must be ruled out immediately?

Answer: Central retinal artery occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion is an ophthalmic emergency requiring immediate treatment within hours to restore vision.