Holiday-themed diagnoses
Hospitalized for the holidays
Vandy IM Wrapped
Baby, it's cold outside!
New year, new you
100
Nutcracker syndrome is a vascular compression disorder where the left renal vein gets pinched between the aorta and what artery?
the superior mesenteric artery
100
A 54 year old male presents with nausea and confusion after a holiday alcohol bender. BMP shows Na 115. Urine osmolality 500 mOsm/kg. Urine sodium 45 mEq/L. What is the most likely cause of this patient's hyponatremia?
SIADH
100
What was the most common leading differential diagnosis during VU Morning Report in 2025?
Probably HLH
100
The ice pack test is a quick, non-invasive bedside test utilized to diagnose this neurologic condition.
Myasthenia gravis
100
Turn over a new leaf and track your duty hours without prompting in 2026! If you do not, you will likely hear from these 2 people . . .
Maria Kasel
Dr. Yakes
200
This hematologic disease is also known as the "Christmas disease."
Hemophilia B
a rare, inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in clotting Factor IX
200
A 45 year old F with a PMH of migraines, hypothyroidism, and PCOS presents to the ED after participating in a her town's chestnut eating contest. She consumes 15lb of chestnuts during the event. She is tachycardic to 150 in the ED, diaphoretic, and has visible tremors. What's the most likely diagnosis?
hyperthyroidism from exogenous iodine ingestion
200
Who were the first residents to pilot the Swing Shift?
Arcole Brandon & Nick Hamilton.
Thanks, y'all!
200
This virus peaks in the fall/winter months and is a leading cause of myocarditis and pericarditis
Coxsackie virus
200
The American Heart Association recommends this number of minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
150 minutes!
or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week
300
This arrhythmia is classically associated with binge drinking around the holidays and aptly named "Holiday Heart Syndrome"
Atrial fibrillation
300
A 65 year old F presents to the ED after being found down in her yard shoveling snow. EKG is non ischemic. POCUS is most likely to reveal what cardiac abnormality?
Aortic stenosis
300
How many times did residents not have VA access when called for jeopardy?
The limit does not exist
300
19 yo F home from college for winter break develops cold-like symptoms with a cough. She then notices acrocyanosis and dark urine. She presents to her PCP and is found to be mildly anemic. What is the most likely diagnosis and why are her fingers cyanotic?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Cold agglutinins!
300
These two statins are least dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism and thus best for patients on multiple meds with drug-drug interactions who are still needing to lower their ASCVD risk!
pravastatin and rosuvastatin
400
The ICD-10 codes W55.32- series, specifically W55.32XA (initial encounter), W55.32XD (subsequent encounter), or W55.32XS (sequela) reflect complications of what unfortunate holiday road accident?
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
ICD W55.32: "struck by other hoof stock" (hoof stock like a goat, sheep, cow)
*horses have a separate ICD code..
400
55 yo M presents to the ED with chest pain after standing outside at the Titans game all last night. The pain has resolved by the time he gets to the ED but he's alarmed because he's never had this pain before. Trop is mildly elevated. EKG is non ischemic. UDS positive for cocaine. Cath lab shows no obstructions. What's the most likely diagnosis?
prinzmetal angina (coronary vasospasm)
400
ID stewardship teams have talked to us a lot this year about Vanderbilt "pillar goals" ---> these are primarily to reduce the use of which antibiotics?
vancomycin
pip-tazo/cefepime
400
Why can ABGs appear misleadingly “normal” in hypothermic patients?
Blood gas analyzers warm samples to 37°C, masking true in-vivo acid–base status.
400
A 52 year old female non smoker with no past medical history and no family history presents to establish with a PCP for the first time since she last saw her pediatrician at age 18. What routine / preventative health screenings would you offer her?
Lipid panel, A1c, basic labs
Mammogram
Colonoscopy
Pap smear w/ HPV co-testing
PCV-21
Tdap
Shingrix
Hep B vaccine
500
What's going on here and what is this radiographic sign called?
"Snowcap sign"
Avascular necrosis
AVN has four phases, avascular, revascularization, repair and deformity phases. In the repair phase, osteoblasts lead to new bone formation and appears as sclerosis on the superior surface of the humeral or femoral head.
500
A 30 yo M is brought in by EMS after his neighbors found him down inside his apartment in January. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Carbon monoxide poisoning
classic "cherry red skin" appearance
500
Who gave the Rosenblum Lecture for Medicine Grand Rounds on 12/4/25?
Devika Nair
Dept of Nephrology!
500
A 28 yo F resident notices that she's having to use her albuterol inhaler more and more especially when running outside in the cold during the winter months. She also takes a LABA/ICS daily. She messages her PCP to ask for a refill of her albuterol, but her PCP says she wants to do the "SMART" thing here . . . What is SMART therapy for asthma?
Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy
Relevant trials MANDALA & BATURA
500
All your patients 60+ should be hearing about the RSV vaccine! When did this vaccine first get FDA approved?
May 2023