Heart to Heart
A patient with syncope, systolic murmur, and delayed carotid upstroke likely has this diagnosis.
What is aortic stenosis?
In COPD exacerbations, this medication class has been shown to reduce relapse and improve lung function.
What are systemic corticosteroids?
HIV patients with CD4 <200 should receive prophylaxis for this opportunistic infection.
What is Pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP)
Hyperthyroidism + eye findings (proptosis) strongly suggests this etiology.
What is Graves disease?
A fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) <1% suggests this type of AKI.
What is prerenal AKI?
In a patient with acute pericarditis, this medication should be avoided if possible due to risk of delayed myocardial healing.
What is corticosteroids?
A normal or near-normal A–a gradient in a hypoxic patient suggests this mechanism of hypoxemia.
What is hypoventilation?
Diarrhea after clindamycin use should prompt testing for this toxin.
What is C. difficile toxin?
This acid–base disturbance is classic in diabetic ketoacidosis.
What is high anion gap metabolic acidosis?
This nephrotic syndrome is classically linked with IV heroin use.
What is FSGS?
On ECG, the presence of a new RBBB + ST elevations in V1–V3 suggests occlusion of this artery.
What is the proximal LAD?
A pleural fluid with pH <7.2 generally indicates the need for this intervention.
What is chest tube drainage?
This tick‑borne illness can cause hyponatremia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes.
What is ehrlichiosis?
Hyponatremia with high urine osmolality and high urine sodium suggests this condition.
What is SIADH?
Calcium pyrophosphate crystals (pseudogout) appear this way under polarized light.
What are weakly positive birefringent, rhomboid crystals?
Cardiac amyloidosis typically shows this unique pattern on ECG compared with LVH seen on echo.
What is low voltage despite increased wall thickness?
This noninvasive test is most useful in differentiating asthma from COPD when spirometry is nondiagnostic.
What is methacholine challenge?
Painless genital ulcer + non-tender lymphadenopathy suggest infection with this organism.
What is Treponema pallidum (primary syphilis)?
Hypercalcemia + kidney stones + neuropsychiatric symptoms point toward overproduction of this hormone.
What is PTH (primary hyperparathyroidism)?
This antibody is most specific for SLE.
What is anti–double-stranded DNA?
In atrial fibrillation with hyperthyroidism, this is the recommended first-line rate-control agent.
What is a beta blocker?
On CT, honeycombing at lung bases is the most specific finding for this interstitial lung disease.
What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP pattern)?
Fever, RUQ pain, and eosinophilia in a patient from a developing country suggests hepatic infection by this parasite.
What is Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid cyst)?
A low cortisol with high ACTH indicates this endocrine disorder.
What is primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)?
A patient with hematuria, hearing loss, and family history likely has this genetic condition.
What is Alport syndrome?