In-training exam review
Buzzwords
This page consists of high-yield word associations meant for rapid review while studying for ITE or boards
Cardiovascular
Question | Answer |
Treatments for Torsades de pointes? | Magnesium, Isoproterenol, Overdrive pacing, Defibrillation |
Most specific sign in acute CHF? | S3 |
Most common sign in myocarditis? | Tachycardia |
Joules for synchronized cardioversion? (with biphasic) | Narrow regular(eg SVT): 50-100 J
Narrow irregular (eg A fib): 120-200 J (50-100 J often sufficient for A flutter) Wide regular (eg Vtach): 100 J |
Joules for defibrillation? | 120-200 J |
Joules for pediatric cardioversion and defibrillation? | Cardioversion: 0.5 J/kg, repeat with 1 J/kg if unsuccessful
Defibrillation: 2 J/kg, repeat with 4 J/kg if unsuccessful |
Most common cause of pacemaker failure to pace? | Oversensing |
EKG findings in pericarditis? | Diffuse PR depressions and ST elevations (reversed in aVR) |
Dialysis patient w/ new-onset heart failure. Pressing on fistula causes pulse to drop from 130 to 90 bpm. Dx and sign? | High-output heart failure, Branham sign |
Treatment for patient with ACS with aspirin allergy? | Clopidogrel |
How to distinguish early repolarization from pericarditis? | ST/T ratio < 0.25 in early repolarization |
Cardiac transplant patient with bradycardia. Which drug will NOT work? | Atropine due to denervation of heart during transplantation |
Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia? | Digoxin toxicity |
How many blood cultures are needed to diagnose endocarditis? | 3 separate sets |
Dermatology
Endocrine
Question | Answer |
What are the doses for dextrose in pediatric patients? | 5ml/kg of D10 if <1yo
2ml/kg of D25 if 1-8yo 1ml/kg of D50 if >8yo Formula: ml/kg x concentration = 50 |
Environmental
Question | Answer |
Which blood count is used for prognostication in acute radiation syndrome? | Absolute lymphocyte count |
GI
Question | Answer |
Painful bowel movements with BRB when wiping? | Anal fissure |
Most common cause of small bowel obstruction? | Adhesions |
Most common cause of large bowel obstruction? | Cancer |
Management of thrombosed hemorrhoid? | Elliptical incision to remove clot |
Risk factors for sigmoid volvulus? | Elderly, residents of long-term and psychiatric facilities, hx chronic constipation |
Risk factors for cecal volvulus? | Younger patients than sigmoid volvulus (30-60 yo), pregnancy |
Most common location for esophageal foreign body in children? | Cricopharyngeus muscle |
Most common location for esophageal foreign body in adults? | Lower esophageal sphincter |
Infant with bloody stools that are hemoccult negative after recently starting antibiotics. Which antibiotic were they prescribed? | Cefdinir |
Toddler with bloody diarrhea and seizures. Diagnosis? | Shigella |
Diagnostic criteria for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis? | Ascitic fluid with PMNs ≥250 (≥100 for peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis) |
HENT
Question | Answer |
Best solutions for an avulsed tooth? | Hank's solution>Milk>Saliva>Saline |
Ellis classification for dental fractures? | Class I: Enamel
Class II: Dentin exposed Class III: Pulp exposed Management: Dental referral, Class I file down sharp edges, Classes II/III cover with calcium hydroxide |
Most common source in anterior epistaxis? | Kiesselbach plexus |
Most common source in posterior epistaxis? | Sphenopalatine artery |
"Woody" texture and swelling of submandibular tissues w/ tongue elevation? | Ludwig's angina |
Most common organism in otitis externa? | Pseudomonas |
Most common organism in otitis media? | Strep pneumo |
Toddler presents with perioral electrical burns after chewing on a cable. What complication is he/she at risk for? | Delayed labial artery bleeding (5-21 days after injury) |
Infectious Disease
Question | Answer |
Patient with arthralgias and pustule on hand. Diagnosis? | Disseminated gonorrhea |
What organism needs to be covered for prophylaxis for a puncture wound through a tennis shoe? | Pseudomonas, treat with ciprofloxacin |
Prophylaxis for close contacts of patient with meningococcal meningitis? | Rifampin |
Diagnosis and treatment for patient with fever and target rash in the NE United States? | Lyme disease and doxycycline |
Neurology
Question | Answer |
BP goal for acute ischemic stroke? | <220/120mmHg if not a tPA candidate, <180/105mmHg if giving tPA |
OB/GYN
Pediatrics
Question | Answer |
Formula for low end of normal systolic blood pressure? | 70 mmHg + (age in years x 2) mmHg |
Pulmonary
Toxicology
See also: Antidotes
Question | Answer |
Lab findings and treatment for ethanol toxicity? | + osmolar gap, + anion gap (if ketoacidosis), supportive care |
Lab findings and treatment for methanol toxicity? | + osmolar, + anion gap, fomepizole, folinic acid, +/- dialysis |
Lab findings and treatment for ethylene glycol toxicity? | + osmolar, + anion gap, fomepizole, thiamine, pyridoxine, +/- dialysis |
Lab findings and treatment for isopropyl alcohol toxicity? | + osmolar gap, - anion gap, supportive care |
Beta blocker overdose antidotes? | Glucagon and high dose insulin |
Beta blocker overdose with wide QRS? | Propranolol |
Beta blocker overdose with prolonged QT? | Sotalol |
Dispo for patient who presents comatose and is intubated for airway protection, then wakes up in the ED and is A&Ox4? | Discharge (GHB toxicity, short half life) |
Mechanism of benzodiazepines? | Increase frequency of GABA-A channel opening |
Mechanism of barbiturates? | Increase duration of GABA-A channel opening |
Mnemonic for common dialyzable toxins? | BLISTMED and ISTUMBLED |
Indications for hyperbaric oxygen in carbon monoxide poisoning? | CO level >25% (>15% if pregnant), loss of consciousness, severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.1), concern for end-organ ischemia |
Ingestion that mimics tetanus and exhibits "awake" seizures in which patient is alert and oriented during tonic-clonic activity? | Strychnine |
Miscellaneous
Question | Answer |
If an on-scene physician arrives after EMS has initiated care, who makes the final decision, the on-scene doc or the medline physician? | The medline physician, though he/she can defer to on-scene physician |