Why is calculation of milliequivalents so difficult? Dare I say, it is often taught in a way that does not foster understanding. If you are just memorizing equations and canceling out units to calculate milliequivalents we are going to change that. That strategy may be sufficient to pass an exam but isn’t very useful beyondContinue reading “How to Calculate Milliequivalents in 3 Easy Steps”
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Read an ABG in 4 Simple Steps
Arterial Blood Gas Terminology Arterial blood gas (ABGs) are drawn from arterial blood and measures the concentration of concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood among other things. Everything we will discuss is centered around the goal of maintaining a normal blood pH. The general term used for pathologies surrounding blood pH isContinue reading “Read an ABG in 4 Simple Steps”
Statistics: How to Calculate Absolute and Relative Risk
You will often encounter ratio calculations in medical literature. It is a calculation of probability. Ratio calculations include absolute risk, absolute risk reduction, absolute risk increase, number needed to treat and relative risk. Risk calculations are especially useful in cohort studies and randomized controlled trials where selected patients are observed over period of time toContinue reading “Statistics: How to Calculate Absolute and Relative Risk”
Ratio Data: How to Analyze Statistics in Medical Literature
Statistics can seem daunting but they cannot be avoided in medical research. If we don’t understand statistical concepts, like ratio data, we are at the mercy of the author’s conclusions. While there are guidelines and peer review processes that help to maintain the integrity of how studies are conducted or reported, there are gaps. PerhapsContinue reading “Ratio Data: How to Analyze Statistics in Medical Literature”
Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit to ICU and How to Treat
In this unit we will discuss the subset of patients with community acquired pneumonia who are at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality. Those patients require a high level of inpatient care and should be admitted directly to intensive care. In the unit Community Acquired Pneumonia: Inpatient Treatment we introduced the CURB 65 score.Continue reading “Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit to ICU and How to Treat”
Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit and How to Treat
In the unit Respiratory Tract Infections: Pneumonia we covered the assessment of a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of pneumonia including differentiating between the 3 main types. In the unit Community Acquired Pneumonia: Outpatient Treatment we talked about those patients who are stable enough to be treated at home. This unit focuses on theContinue reading “Community Acquired Pneumonia: When to Admit and How to Treat”
How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient
Pneumonia is simply a type of infection of one or both lungs. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) describes the clinical scenario where signs and symptoms of a lung infection started outside of the hospital OR within 48 hours (2 days) of hospital admission. Within this timeframe, it is likely the patient encountered the bug and itContinue reading “How to Manage Pneumonia in the Outpatient”
Sinusitis: What You Need to Know to Maximize Patient Outcomes
Respiratory tract infections can affect the upper (sinuses, throat, nasal cavity) and lower (windpipe, lungs) respiratory tract. Sinusitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses, leading to symptoms like runny or stuffy nose and facial pain. Treatment involves antibiotics for bacterial cases, but most viral cases resolve on their own. Symptomatic management includes saline irrigation and analgesics.
What You Need to Know: Hemostasis
Hemostasis is achieved through primary and secondary stages. The coagulation cascade, part of secondary hemostasis, stabilizes the platelet plug. It consists of extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways, involving multiple clotting factors and calcium ions. Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of some clotting factors. Each pathway is triggered by specific factors and leads to the activation of the common pathway, ultimately resulting in the formation of a stabilizing fibrin complex.