Life in the Fast Lane Medical Blog
Emergency Medicine education blog
A 5 year old boy presents with an acute exacerbation of asthma. On examination there is reduced air entry bilaterally with expiratory wheeze. He has tracheal tug, sub costal recession and is tachypnoeic. Initial pulse oximetry reveals oxygen saturation of 85% on room air. He has had no treatment prior to arriving in the emergency department.
Scenario After a recent significant adverse event following the insertion of a central venous line you have been asked to investigate emergency department central line insertion. Question a. List the factors that may contribute to such adverse events during central venous line placement (30%) b. Describe the measures that may be used to prevent or [...]
You are working in an urban district hospital with no obstetric or neonatal service. A 28 week pregnant woman presents in premature labour. Examination reveals an absence of bleeding and a closed cervical os
A 21 year old man is brought in by ambulance after being struck in the anterior midline of the neck with a hockey stick. Initial evaluation reveals he has a hoarse voice, large haematoma and tenderness of the anterior neck. He is alert and has no other injuries.
A 72 year old man presents from a nursing home with 4 days of increasing confusion. His GP letter notes that he has a history of dementia, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease.
Scenario A 55 year old man collapses on emerging from the water after snorkelling on a Queensland beach. He is rapidly transported to the emergency department Question a. List your differential for this man’s condition (30%) b. Outline the features on your assessment that would indicate a marine envenomation (70%) Answer Answer and Interpretation FACEM [...]
A morbidly obese but otherwise healthy 30 year old woman is brought to your emergency department suffering from shortness of breath after a 3 day viral prodrome. You estimate her weight to be 150kg
A 24 year old woman presents with a left sided spontaneous pneumothorax.
ACEM Fellowship examination questions for the SAQ, VAQ and SCE now updated
A 45 year old orchard worker presents following an accidental exposure to organophosphate spray. He looks anxious and complains of abdominal pain, vomiting and weakness.
On examination you note muscle fasciculations, lacrimation, salivation, and widespread wheeze on chest auscultation.
