Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2004
Common medical terms defined by parents: are we speaking the same language?
Physicians often assume that a patient understands frequently utilized medical words and patient management may be based on these assumptions. The objective of this study was to determine the public's definition of regularly used medical terminology. ⋯ Although commonly used in everyday conversation, there seems to be a large disparity between a caregiver's perception and the actual definition of medical terms. More precise communication may help both parties to understand the true situation.
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2004
Case ReportsWood's lamp employed as a provocative technique to identify pseudoseizures.
We present a case of a 12-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with ictal phenomena suggestive of pseudoseizures. A Wood's lamp was successfully employed to induce the stereotypic phenomena and thereby identify the ictal events as nonepileptiform. Use of the Wood's lamp has not previously been reported as a provocative stimulus to induce pseudoseizures. Given its noninvasive nature and ready availability, the Wood's lamp should be considered for identification of pseudoseizures.
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2004
Letter Case ReportsEvaluation of pediatric bladder reservoir trauma.
We present a case where computed tomographic cystography of the bladder failed to identify a bladder rupture in a girl with an Indiana pouch after falling from her bicycle. Despite the normal cystogram, surgery was performed because of unresolving abdominal pain and free fluid identified on abdominal computed tomography. Upon exploration, 2 intraperitoneal ruptures were identified. While computed tomographic cystography is accurate for the evaluation of trauma in a normal bladder, emergency room physicians should be aware of its potential inaccuracy in patients with bladder reservoirs.
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2004
Adherence of pediatric asthma patients with oral corticosteroid prescriptions following pediatric emergency department visit or hospitalization.
To determine caregiver adherence to oral corticosteroids prescribed in the emergency department for pediatric patients with an acute asthma exacerbation and to identify caregivers' perceived barriers to adherence with prescribed oral corticosteroids. ⋯ Efforts to increase corticosteroid adherence in children with acute asthma exacerbations should consider the causes for variation in caregiver adherence with length of therapy as well as caregiver perceptions regarding corticosteroid side effects.