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 30-year-old female presents with sudden severe headache described as 'the worst of my life.' CT head is negative. What is the next step?
Answer: Lumbar puncture
A negative CT does not rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage; lumbar puncture looking for xanthochromia is required when CT is negative and clinical suspicion is high.
Which is the preferred vasopressor for septic shock when adequate fluid resuscitation has failed?
Answer: Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock per Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines due to its alpha-adrenergic properties with less tachycardia risk.
A patient is found unresponsive with pinpoint pupils and slow respirations. Which medication should be administered?
Answer: Naloxone
Pinpoint pupils with respiratory depression is the classic opioid toxidrome; naloxone is the specific reversal agent.
What is the Parkland formula used for in emergency medicine?
Answer: Estimating fluid resuscitation in burn patients
The Parkland formula (4 mL × weight in kg × % TBSA burned) estimates the lactated Ringer's solution needed in the first 24 hours post-burn.
A patient with known epilepsy presents in status epilepticus still seizing after two doses of benzodiazepines. What is the next preferred agent?
Answer: Levetiracetam or fosphenytoin
After benzodiazepine failure, levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, or valproate are second-line agents for established status epilepticus per current guidelines.
Which finding on FAST ultrasound in a hemodynamically unstable trauma patient is an indication for immediate operative intervention?
Answer: Free fluid in the hepatorenal space (Morrison's pouch)
Free intraperitoneal fluid in an unstable trauma patient on FAST indicates hemoperitoneum requiring emergent surgical hemorrhage control.
A 55-year-old diabetic presents with vomiting and diffuse abdominal pain. Blood glucose is 520 mg/dL, pH is 7.10, and bicarbonate is 10. Urinalysis shows ketones. What is the correct initial management?
Answer: Normal saline resuscitation and insulin infusion
DKA management begins with aggressive IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline followed by insulin infusion; insulin bolus before fluid can worsen hypovolemia.