Emergency medicine clinics of North America
-
The diagnosis of hypothermia rests solely upon a measured core temperature of 35 degrees C or less; a special thermometer calibrated to record low temperatures should be used whenever hypothermia is suspected. Hospital management of the hypothermic patient consists of definitive rewarming therapy.
-
Certain practices and procedures that take place in the emergency department may complicate the subsequent investigation of a death. Recognizing that the emergency physician has a duty to care for the living patient that cannot be compromised, the author focuses on the areas in which emergency department practices may be modified to better meet the need for an accurate and informed determination of the cause of death.
-
Pulmonary parenchymal damage is a frequent consequence of major trauma to the chest. Among the injuries considered in this article are traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts, pulmonary hematomas, major pulmonary lacerations, pulmonary contusions, and penetrating pulmonary parenchymal injuries. Also discussed is emergency resuscitation of patients with pulmonary parenchymal injuries.
-
The clinical presentations of chest wall and diaphragmatic disorders are extremely diverse, and the attention of the emergency physician is often directed to a more obvious problem. The common denominator of these disorders is their effect on respiratory mechanics, a discussion of which precedes the review of specific disorders.
-
Patients with significant respiratory disease are evaluated daily by emergency physicians. Understanding the principles of respiratory physiology and pathophysiology provides the basis for the diagnosis and management of patients with respiratory disease.