During the management of a patient with blunt chest trauma,…
During the management of a patient with blunt chest trauma, you suspect that he is suffering from a hemothorax to his right lung. The patient is not experiencing any respiratory distress. What clinical finding would be the most consistent with this type of injury?
Read DetailsA 25-year-old man riding his motorcycle struck a stopped ca…
A 25-year-old man riding his motorcycle struck a stopped car from behind at a speed of about 30 mph. He was thrown up and over the handlebars of the motorcycle, struck the back window of the car, and fell back to the pavement. You arrive within three minutes to find a pale, shivering patient with cold skin and mottled lips despite the 75-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and the patient’s motorcycle jacket and jeans. The patient is awake but has difficulty answering you because he is trembling and his teeth are chattering. You immediately see that his pupils are dilated, and he has deformity and swelling of both thighs. There is no major external bleeding. The patient’s radial pulse is weak, thready, and rapid. Which assessment and management plan provides the best sequence of care for this patient?
Read DetailsA 55-year old-woman presents with aphasia and ataxia. She i…
A 55-year old-woman presents with aphasia and ataxia. She is awake and seems to understand what you are saying. Her daughter says the patient is a diabetic and has a history of high blood pressure. The patient took her insulin as usual and had just finished eating when the signs and symptoms occurred. Vital signs and test results are heart rate, 84 beats per minute; blood pressure, 148/90 mmHg; respiratory rate, 16 breaths per minute; SpO2 97 percent on room air; and BGL, 114 mg/dL. Which of the following should be highest on your list of differential diagnoses?
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