Emergency Medicine Flashcards
7 cards from real SPEX practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Medicine flashcards as text
A 45-year-old male presents with sudden onset tearing chest pain radiating to the back. BP is 180/100 in the right arm and 150/90 in the left arm. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Aortic dissection
Aortic dissection classically presents with tearing/ripping chest pain radiating to the back and blood pressure differential between arms.
Which of the following is the FIRST priority in managing a patient with tension pneumothorax?
Answer: Needle decompression
Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line without waiting for imaging.
A 70-year-old on warfarin presents with INR of 8 and active GI bleeding. Which is the most appropriate reversal agent?
Answer: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC)
4F-PCC provides rapid, complete warfarin reversal with lower volume than FFP and is preferred for life-threatening bleeding.
A patient presents with bradycardia (HR 38), hypotension, and QRS prolongation after ingesting unknown medications. Which toxidrome is most consistent?
Answer: Calcium channel blocker toxicity
Calcium channel blocker toxicity causes bradycardia, hypotension, and can cause QRS widening, distinguishing it from other toxidromes.
Which ECG finding in a patient with chest pain indicates immediate catheterization lab activation, even without ST elevation?
Answer: Left bundle branch block (new or presumed new)
New or presumed new LBBB in the setting of chest pain is a STEMI-equivalent and warrants immediate cath lab activation per ACC/AHA guidelines.
A child presents with drooling, stridor, and a preference for the tripod position. What condition should be suspected and what should be avoided?
Answer: Epiglottitis; avoid throat examination
Epiglottitis presents with drooling, stridor, and tripod positioning; oropharyngeal examination can precipitate complete airway obstruction.
In suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which treatment is most critical regardless of pulse oximetry reading?
Answer: 100% non-rebreather oxygen
100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask should be given immediately because pulse oximetry is unreliable in CO poisoning (CO-oxyhemoglobin reads as oxyhemoglobin).