Certifying Exam Cases

Clinical Decision-Making Case: A Giant Headache

Mark Portman, MD* and Linda Herman, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52322 Issue 10:5[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of this clinical decision-making case, learners will be able to: 1) demonstrate increased knowledge pertaining to ABEM’s clinical decision-making case, 2) communicate the differential diagnosis of a new acute onset headache in patients over the age of 50 and the importance of giant cell arteritis in that differential, 3) acquire an appropriate history and physical exam in this clinical setting, 4) verbalize, interpret, and justify the appropriate diagnostic testing for this clinical case (at minimum CT head, complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel (BMP), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and 5) explain the appropriate treatment and disposition of a patient with temporal arteritis.
Current IssueCertifying Exam CasesClinical Decision-MakingOphthalmology

Clinical Decision-Making Case: Thyroid Storm

Stephanie Cohen, DO1, Amrita Vempati, MD2, Charles Lei, MD3, Hillary Moss, MD4, Tiffany Moadel, MD5, Suzanne Bentley MD6, Stephanie Stapleton, MD7 and Kelly Roszczynialski, MD8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.53003 Issue 10:5[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of the session, learners will be able to: 1) verbalize key pertinent historical and physical exam findings in a young female patient presenting with altered mental status; 2)  formulate a prioritized differential diagnosis based on the history and physical exam; 3) order appropriate diagnostic studies and recognize abnormalities suggesting thyroid storm; 4) describe pathophysiology, management and rationale of sequential pharmacologic therapy in thyroid storm; 5) communicate patient’s medical care and course to family; and 6) review essential disposition actions including consultations and level of care for admission. 
Current IssueCertifying Exam CasesClinical Decision-MakingEndocrine

Clinical Decision-Making Case: Non-Accidental Trauma

H Michelle Greene, DO*, Anne P Runkle, MD*^, Jennifer M Mitzman, MD*^, Christopher E San Miguel, MD, MEd^, Krystin N Miller, MD^, Simiao Li-Sauerwine, MD, MSCR^, Geremiha Emerson, MD^, Sorabh Khandelwal, MD^, Kelsey H Jordan, PhD, MPH^ and Jennifer Yee, DO, MAEd^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.53233 Issue 10:5[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of this clinical decision-making case, learners will be able to: 1) demonstrate familiarity with the CDM case format and case play, 2) describe important historical information to obtain when suspecting non-accidental trauma, 3) recognize potential physical exam findings in non-accidental trauma, 4) justify appropriate diagnostic studies based on clinical findings and current evidence on occult injury in suspected pediatric abuse, and 5) propose an appropriate disposition plan for patients with non-accidental trauma.
Current IssueCertifying Exam CasesClinical Decision-MakingPediatricsTrauma

Prioritization: Run This Board: Septic Shock, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Small Bowel Obstruction, and Penetrating Chest Trauma

Colleen Donovan, MD1, Nicole Novotny, MD2, Charles Lei, MD3, Alaa Aldalati, MBBS4, Andrew Melendez, DO5, Neil Wallace, MD6, Tiffany Moadel, MD7, Stephanie Stapleton, MD8 and Shagun Berry, DO9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52355 Issue 10:5[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of this case learners will be able to: 1) Become familiar with format of a prioritization case (a component of the ABEM Certifying Exam), 2) Practice their ability to prioritize multiple patients and provide stabilizing care, 3) Consider changes in status/patient acuity/new cases as presented, 4) Understand how to utilize team resources appropriately.
Current IssueAbdominal/GastroenterologyCardiology/VascularCertifying Exam CasesClinical Decision-MakingInfectious DiseaseNeurologyOb/GynPediatricsPrioritizationTrauma

Prioritization: Intracranial Hemorrhage, Testicular Torsion, and Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicity Presenting to a Community Emergency Department

Brian Milman, MD*, Marshall Howell, MD*, Joshua Ginsburg, MD* and Samuel Parnell, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52346 Issue 10:5[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of this case learners should: 1) Become familiar with the format of a prioritization case (a component of the ABEM Certifying Exam), 2) demonstrate their ability to prioritize multiple patients and provide stabilizing care, 3) consider changes in status/patient acuity/new cases as presented, 4) understand how to utilize team resources appropriately.
Current IssueCertifying Exam CasesNeurologyPrioritizationToxicologyTraumaUrology

Myopericarditis and Pulmonary Edema

Lubna Ahmad Saffarini, MBBS*^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52187 Issue 10:4[mrp_rating_result]
At the end of this oral board session, learners will be able to: 1) Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and treat a somnolent and hypoxic patient, 2) Identify a critical airway situation and manage it with a holistic approach, 3) Interpret the history, physical examination, ECG, and chest x-ray findings and discuss the list of differential diagnoses, 4) Identify a state of cardiogenic shock induced by myopericarditis and treat it appropriately, 5) Assess the presence of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade utilizing bedside echocardiography.
Current IssueCardiology/VascularCertifying Exam Cases

A Recipe for Disaster – Sodium Bicarbonate Overdose

Adeola A Kosoko, MD*, Amara Ogoke, MD* and Kyle Vogt, MD^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8MW85 Issue 10:3[mrp_rating_result]
At the end of this oral board session, learners will be able to: 1) obtain a history which includes medications and other supplements used by the patient, 2) interpret a prolonged QTc, 3) diagnose metabolic alkalosis due to sodium bicarbonate toxicity, and 4) manage sodium bicarbonate toxicity with fluid and electrolyte resuscitation.
Certifying Exam CasesToxicology

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Eclampsia

Kristina Jacomino, MD*, Kevin Tomecsek, MD*, Andrew Little, DO* and Mary Mclean, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8H64T Issue 10:3[mrp_rating_result]
At the end of this oral boards session, examinees will be able to: 1) demonstrate familiarity with the structured interview oral board format and case play; 2) recognize the history and exam features concerning for PRES and eclampsia; 3) order appropriate diagnostic workup for postpartum and hypertensive emergencies including eclampsia and PRES; 4) understand treatment options for the management of eclampsia (intravenous [IV] magnesium sulfate, IV antihypertensive therapy, and emergent consultation with an obstetrician [OB/GYN]); 5) understand threshold for taking control of airway in patients with eclampsia; 6) understand indications for ordering brain imaging in patients with eclampsia and altered mental status; and 7) demonstrate effective communication with treatment team/family members as well as correct disposition of the patient to a higher level of care (intensive care unit [ICU]).
Certifying Exam CasesNeurologyOb/Gyn