Emergency Medicine Minute is a US-based podcast created by experienced emergency medicine physicians and educators. The series delivers rapid, evidence-based updates on key emergency medicine topics in approximately one-minute episodes.
Bladder ultrasound before catheterising febrile infants checks whether sufficient urine is available. An ultrasound-first approach reduces unsuccessful procedures, with reported dry taps falling from approximately 23% to 3%, and allows hydration or delay when the bladder is empty.
Ocular trauma or external eye pressure can trigger vagally mediated bradycardia, nausea, vomiting and syncope. Recognising the reflex, removing external pressure, monitoring cardiac rhythm and considering atropine can prevent further haemodynamic deterioration.
Oesophageal balloon tamponade provides temporary control of massive haematemesis when definitive treatment is unavailable. Correct device selection, confirmation of gastric balloon position before full inflation, appropriate traction and pressure-monitored oesophageal inflation are essential to reduce potentially serious complications.
Patients who appear deeply obtunded after intubation may later recall procedures or ventilation. Preparing sedation alongside rapid sequence intubation medicines, with a vasopressor available for possible hypotension, addresses needs easily overlooked during resuscitation.
Caffeine toxicity ranges from agitation and hypokalaemia to seizures and tachydysrhythmias, with lower weight-based thresholds in children. Potassium should be replaced cautiously because hypokalaemia reflects redistribution, while benzodiazepines, activated charcoal and dialysis have selected roles.
Torsades de pointes may present as recurrent brief blackouts with rapid recovery between episodes. Recognition of QT prolongation, withdrawal of contributing medicines, magnesium, correction of electrolytes and management of bradycardia or ventricular fibrillation are central to treatment.
Emergency dialysis decisions are better organised around acidosis, electrolytes, dialysable ingestions, fluid overload and uraemia than creatinine alone, with ECG changes, treatment response, urine production and clinical complications determining when waiting is no longer appropriate.
Worsening hypoxia after successful naloxone reversal may represent pulmonary oedema as well as aspiration, with a proposed negative-pressure mechanism; respiratory support and positive pressure take priority over diuresis when fluid overload is not the problem.
Posterior and horizontal canal BPPV require different positional tests, nystagmus patterns and repositioning manoeuvres; characteristic torsional nystagmus supports posterior-canal disease, while down-beating nystagmus during midline head extension warrants caution and neurology involvement.
Delayed stroke can follow blunt cerebrovascular injury even when the initial neurological examination is normal. Screening with computed tomography angiography hinges on recognising injury patterns such as cervical spine, severe facial, upper rib and medial clavicle fractures, while screening strategy remains debated.
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