Certifying Exam Cases
The Silent Saboteur: Teaching the Clinical Implications of Occult Hypoxemia & Social Determinants of Health via a Pulmonary Embolism Case
Eugene Marrone, MD*, John Cafaro, MD* and Jared Klein, DO*
By the end of this oral board case, learners will be able to: 1) obtain appropriate history of present illness (HPI) and physical exam elements for the undifferentiated chest pain patient, 2) identify elements of history and physical exam that are compatible with pulmonary embolism, 3) formulate a differential diagnosis for chest pain and perform the appropriate work-up to narrow this differential diagnosis, 4) appropriately manage pulmonary embolism, 5) review and discuss the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) elements of the case, and 6) review and discuss the importance of social determinants of health (SDH) in disposition decisions and patient outcomes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Matthew Henschel, DO* and Stephanie Songey, DO^
At the end of this oral board session, examinees will: 1) Demonstrate the ability to obtain a complete medical history and physical exam. 2) Identify and appropriately treat DKA. 3) Identify, treat, and make appropriate consults for NSTI. 4) Demonstrate effective communication of the treatment plan with the patient.
Alcohol Withdrawal
Patrick Meloy, MD*, Dan Rutz, MD^ and Amit Bhambri, MD†
At the end of this oral boards session, learners will: 1) demonstrate the ability to perform a detailed history and physical examination in a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, 2) investigate the broad differential diagnoses, including electrolyte abnormalities, trauma in the intoxicated patient, mild alcohol withdrawal, and delirium tremens, 3) list appropriate laboratory and imaging studies to include complete blood count (CBC), complete metabolic panel (CMP), magnesium level, computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain; 4) understand the management of hypoglycemia with concurrent administration of thiamine to prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy and subsequent Korsakoff syndrome, 5) appropriately treat acute alcohol withdrawal with intravenous (IV) hydration and benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, or alternative medications, and 6) understanding the need for the complex management of these patients, appropriately disposition the patient to the intensive care unit after consulting with critical care specialists.
Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose
Jessica G Andrusaitis, MD, MS* and Alan Givertz, MD^
At the end of this oral board session, examinees will: (1) demonstrate ability to evaluate a patient with undifferentiated shock with bradycardia and discuss the differential diagnosis, (2) recognize the signs and symptoms of calcium channel blocker overdose, (3) demonstrate ability to manage treatment of a patient with calcium channel overdose.
Acute Pulmonary Edema and NSTEMI
Ashley Pilgrim, MD*
At the end of this practice oral boards case, the learner will: 1) recognize unstable vital signs (VS) and intervene to stabilize ventilation and oxygenation, 2) demonstrate the ability to obtain a complete medical history including the important characteristics of chest pain, 3) demonstrate an appropriate exam on a patient, 4) order the appropriate evaluation studies for a patient with complaints of dyspnea, 5) interpret the results of diagnostic evaluation and diagnose Non- ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and pulmonary edema, 6) order appropriate management of pulmonary edema and NSTEMI, and 6) demonstrate effective communication with patient and family members.
Infant Botulism
Ashley Garispe, DO* and Steven Cherry, MD^
At the end of this oral board session, examinees will: 1) demonstrate an ability to obtain a complete pediatric medical history, 2) perform an appropriate physical exam on a pediatric patient, 3) investigate a broad differential diagnosis for neuromuscular weakness in a pediatric patient, 4) recognize the classic presentation of infant botulism and implement treatment with botulinum specific antitoxin before confirmatory testing, 5) recognize impending airway failure and intubate the pediatric patient with appropriately dosed medications and ET tube size, and 6) demonstrate effective communication with healthcare team members and parents.
Acute Chest Syndrome
Patrick Meloy, MD*, Daniel R Rutz, MD^ and Amit Bhambri, MD†
At the end of this oral board session, examinees will: 1) demonstrate the ability to obtain a complete medical history; 2) demonstrate the ability to perform a detailed physical examination in a patient with respiratory distress; 3) identify a patient with respiratory distress and hypoxia and manage appropriately (administer oxygen, place patient on monitor); 4) investigate the broad differential diagnoses which include acute chest syndrome, pneumonia, acute coronary syndrome, acute congestive heart failure, acute aortic dissection and acute pulmonary embolism; 5) list the appropriate laboratory and imaging studies to differentiate acute chest syndrome from other diagnoses (complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), lactic acid, procalcitonin, EKG, troponin level, d-dimer, chest radiograph); 6) identify a patient with acute chest syndrome and manage appropriately (administer intravenous pain medications, administer antibiotics after obtaining blood cultures, emergent consultation with hematology) and 7) provide appropriate disposition to the intensive care unit after consultation with hematology.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Dane Zappa, MD* and Linda L Herman, MD, FACEP^
At the end of this oral board session, examinees will: 1) demonstrate the ability to obtain a complete pediatric medical history; 2) demonstrate an appropriate exam on a pediatric patient including a neurological exam; 3) investigate the broad differential diagnoses for neuromuscular weakness in a pediatric patient; 4) order the appropriate evaluation studies including an MRI; 5) interpret the use of a negative inspiratory force in determining the need for intubation and level of care upon admission; and 6) demonstrate effective communication with parents and caregivers.