Collections of blood that form in the subdural space in the brain are common in patients 50 years and older, with head trauma the common cause. The subdural space is the area between the brain surface and the dura (covering) of the brain.

Cervicalgia and cervical radiculopathy can cause acute or chronic pain depending of the severity of the underlying pathology. Both conditions can exhibit a waxing a waning pattern predicated on the patient’s activities.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal infection that primarily affects premature infants shortly after beginning of feeds and affects approximately 7% of premature infants.

When lead is absorbed into the body, it is quickly taken up by bone and is tightly bound. It is then slowly released into the circulation keeping the blood level elevated for years.

Evaluation for UTI typically involves examination (e.g., inspection and palpation of the genitals, palpation of the lower abdomen), urinalysis and urinary culture. Treatment is based on the suspected diagnosis.

Nurses are responsible to realize that subtle changes in temperature instability can be the first signs of a life-threatening infection.

The most important factors predisposing to DVT are immobility of the extremity and the presence of a hypercoagulable condition.

When a patient’s dialysis access is clotted, a dialysis center is required to contact a surgical service to arrange for declotting. That said, clotting is a very common occurrence and not an emergency. 

If bowel ischemia is not recognized and treated, the muscle layer of the bowel between the mucosa and serosa starts to die.  Soon, the serosa becomes ischemic and starts to die. 

Acute thrombosis of the SMA and/or its branches is a catastrophic event that can lead to ischemia and death of most of the small intestine and the right colon if not recognized and surgically treated. 

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction secondary to an infection. The clinical spectrum of sepsis includes SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome)…

A CTA shows vasculature in detail and is the test of choice when the vasculature is what needs to be evaluated. If the intent is to evaluate for vessel occlusion or blockage…

Acute abdomen is a clinical scenario marked by severe abdominal pain of acute onset, typically within 24 hours. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes the following…

An elevated lactic acid level can be caused by several entities including select medications, intense exercise, recent seizures, decreased clearance by the liver, and any clinical state marked by hypoperfusion or a low flow state.

Risk factors for DVT include any problem that alters the clotting system or alters blood flow in the deep veins.  These are broadly classified between acquired risk factors that enhance clotting and inherited thrombophilias.

Incarceration makes a patient’s post op management more complex.  Care of an inmate must take into consideration limitations on postoperative care.

Hammertoes are the most common lesser toe deformity.  They make up nearly 50% of all forefoot surgeries.

Intravenous tPA is the only FDA-approved (since 1996) medication for the management of acute ischemic stroke. tPA is a thrombolytic agent that breaks down the fibrin that binds clots together. When administered to a patient having an acute ischemic stroke, tPA has been demonstrated to reduce long-term disability.

The hippocampus is the most oxygen-sensitive part of the brain. It is well-known that severe anoxia results in profound neuronal cell death.  Generalized and/or focal brain atrophy most frequently occurs in the hippocampus, the most oxygen-sensitive region of the brain.

A medication error is a preventable event that can cause patient harm. ED medication errors are derived from prescribing, transcribing, preparation, and dispensing.