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Procedural Case: Neonatal Lumbar Puncture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52364This is a Procedure case involving a neonatal LP. The overarching educational goal of this case is to assess learners’ clinical decision-making, technical proficiency, and communication skills when performing a neonatal LP. Participants will be evaluated on their ability to identify indications and contraindications, obtain informed consent, prepare for and perform the procedure with sterile technique, and implement appropriate post-procedure care. By the end of the session, learners should be able to: 1) describe the indications and contraindications associated with performing a neonatal LP, 2) obtain informed consent for a neonatal LP, using clear, patient-centered language to explain the procedure and to discuss risks, benefits, and alternative options, 3) demonstrate proper preparation for a neonatal LP, including equipment setup, patient positioning, patient monitoring, use of sterile technique, and analgesia, 4) perform a neonatal LP on a procedural task trainer with technical proficiency, demonstrating proper needle insertion, cerebrospinal (CSF) collection, and adherence to sterile technique, and 5) outline appropriate post-procedure management for the patient, including interpreting CSF results, initiating appropriate treatment, monitoring for complications, and providing caregivers with clear follow-up guidance.
Ultrasound Case: Syncope in PE
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52365By the end of the session, learners will be able to: 1) obtain and interpret the parasternal short-axis view of the heart to assess right ventricular size and function, 2) identify ultrasound findings suggestive of pulmonary embolism (PE) on cardiac short-axis view, including right ventricular dilation and septal bowing, 3) demonstrate appropriate probe selection and positioning to obtain optimal images of the heart and inferior vena cava (IVC), 4) evaluate the IVC using a subxiphoid or longitudinal view to assess distension and lack of respiratory collapse as supportive findings for elevated right heart pressures, 5) identify the anatomy of the neck vasculature, differentiate between the internal jugular vein and carotid artery, and select the appropriate puncture site, 6) describe ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization via the right internal jugular vein, using a sterile technique and real-time guidance
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Intussusception
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52171By the end of this mock oral boards session, learners will (1) demonstrate familiarity with the CDM case format and case play, (2) model a problem-based history and physical exam, (3) generate a differential diagnosis for pediatric abdominal pain, and (4) demonstrate the ability to manage intussusception.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Pediatric Sexually Transmitted Infections and Consent
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52335By the end of this case the learner will be able to: 1) demonstrate competency with the new ABEM Certifying Exam Clinical Decision-Making Case format, 2) manage a simulated pediatric care encounter that requires navigating the details of pediatric consent, 3) explain common exceptions to requiring parental consent in emergency situations according to established guidelines as well as state and local laws, 4) report increased comfort managing ethical dilemmas related to pediatric consent in the ED.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Seizing the Diagnosis: Eclampsia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52338By the end of this Mock Certifying Exam session, learners should be able to: 1) demonstrate familiarity with the Clinical Decision-Making case format and structure, 2) elicit relevant historical information and connect that information to the diagnosis of eclampsia, 3) describe and interpret physical exam findings and their significance in establishing a pertinent differential diagnosis, which includes eclampsia, 4) initiate appropriate diagnostic testing, interpret results accurately, and formulate a stabilization and treatment plan for a patient with eclamptic seizures, and 5) reassess the patient's condition, modify the management plan as needed, provide relevant anticipatory guidance for disposition, and articulate the clinical decision-making rationale at each stage of the encounter.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Pulmonary Embolism
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52339By the end of the clinical decision-making case, the learner will: 1) gain familiarity with clinical decision-making (CDM) case format to be used in the new American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification examination starting in 2026, 2) demonstrate the ability to obtain a focused history and physical examination and develop appropriate differential diagnoses for chest pain and dyspnea, 3) demonstrate understanding of clinical decisions rules to estimate the pre-test probability for pulmonary embolism and the application of rules to guide appropriate diagnostic testing, 4) recognize high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism and indication for empirical treatment, 5) recognize the unstable patient and provide appropriate hemodynamic and respiratory support, 6) understand indications for thrombolytic therapy or embolectomy in unstable pulmonary embolism, 7) demonstrate communication skills with patients and specialists across the health care spectrum, and 8) arrange appropriate disposition for the unstable patient with a pulmonary embolism.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: A Giant Headache
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52322By 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.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Thyroid Storm
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.53003By 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.
Clinical Decision-Making Case: Non-Accidental Trauma
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.53233By 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.
Prioritization: Run This Board: Septic Shock, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Small Bowel Obstruction, and Penetrating Chest Trauma
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52355By 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.