AMS
First-line bedside test in all AMS patients.
What is a fingerstick glucose?
Drug given every 3-5 minutes during cardiac arrest.
What is epinephrine?
Most common cause of upper GI bleed.
What is peptic ulcer disease?
Key lab abnormality in rhabdomyolysis.
What is elevated CK (creatine kinase)?
First-line fluid for most resuscitation scenarios.
What is isotonic crystalloids (e.g., lactated Ringer’s or normal saline)?
Most common reversible cause of altered mental status in hospitalized patients.
What is delirium (often due to infection or medications)?
Shockable rhythms (2) you learn in ACLS.
What is ventricular fibrillation or pulseless VT?
Best initial diagnostic and therapeutic test for upper GI bleeding.
What is esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)?
Ascending paralysis with areflexia suggests this diagnosis.
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Initial bolus in septic shock (per Surviving Sepsis Campaign).
What is 30 mL/kg crystalloid?
Classic triad of Wernicke encephalopathy.
What is confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia?
First medication given for symptomatic bradycardia.
What is atropine?
Hemoglobin threshold for transfusion in stable patients without ongoing bleeding.
What is <7 g/dL?
Neuromuscular disorder that worsens with use and improves with rest.
What is myasthenia gravis?
Lab used to assess tissue hypoperfusion and resuscitation effectiveness.
What is lactate?
Diagnostic test of choice to evaluate suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage if CT is negative but suspicion remains high.
What is lumbar puncture?
Most important determinant of survival in cardiac arrest.
What is early high-quality CPR (and early defibrillation)?
Initial medication given in suspected variceal bleed.
What is octreotide?
Immediate workup step in suspected spinal cord compression.
What is MRI of the spine?
Preferred vasopressor in septic shock if MAP remains low after fluids.
What is norepinephrine?
Management priority in hepatic encephalopathy.
What is lactulose (± rifaximin)?
Energy dose for synchronized cardioversion of unstable SVT.
What is 50–100 joules?
Classic presentation of lower GI bleed in elderly with painless hematochezia.
What is diverticular bleeding?
This endocrine emergency should be suspected in a patient with weakness, hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia, and requires immediate empiric treatment.
What is adrenal insufficiency (Addisonian crisis)?
Complication of excessive fluid resuscitation often seen in ICU patients.
What is pulmonary edema (or ARDS)?