REBEL EM has primarily been a clinical blog focusing on critical appraisal of research, but now we are proud to introduce

REBEL Core

, an initiative to improve discussion of core content in emergency medicine/critical care. Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAMed) has long been dedicated to discussing current literature to shorten knowledge translation. However, if all you use is FOAMed, then you will have “swiss cheese knowledge”, due to the lack of having foundational knowledge. The entire breadth of emergency medicine is not currently covered by FOAMed with a disproportionate representation of critical care topics (i.e. ECG, Ultrasound, Resuscitation, Procedures). REBEL Core will continue to discuss the foundational knowledge necessary in all aspects of emergency care.

Clinical Conundrums: Should I Provide Patients with Pharyngitis a Dose of Corticosteroids

by Anand Swaminathan posted April 24, 2024 No Comments

Bottom Line Up Top: Steroids provide modest improvement in time to resolution and degree of resolution of symptoms in pharyngitis. They should be considered in patients presenting to the ED after weighing potential benefits and risks. Clinical Scenario: A 22-year-old …

REBEL Core Cast 120.0 – Salicylate Toxicity

by Anand Swaminathan posted March 20, 2024 No Comments

Take Home Points Salicylates are a commonly used and widely prescribed xenobiotic due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic properties. Common preparations include aspirin, methyl-salicylate (Oil of Wintergreen), and bismuth-subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). Salicylate toxicity should be considered in the patient with …

Toxicology

REBEL Core Cast 119.0 – Sleep Hygiene

by Brendan Freeman DO posted March 6, 2024 No Comments

REBEL Core Cast 118.0 – IM vs PO NSAIDs

by Anand Swaminathan posted February 21, 2024 No Comments

Clinical Conundrums: Do We Need to Order a CT for Every Patient with Renal Colic?

by Abbas Husain MD posted February 12, 2024 No Comments

Bottom Line Up Top: In selective patients presenting with flank pain, we can diagnose renal colic without a CT scan. There is also a subset of patients that would benefit from IV contrast enhanced CT scanning. Clinical Scenario: A 35-year-old …

Renal and Genitourinary

REBEL Core Cast 117.0 – Infections of Pregnancy

by Jenny Beck-Esmay, MD posted February 7, 2024 No Comments

Take Home Points Infections are a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Prompt recognition is critical in management. Most infectious processes will require admission and close observation for improvement or decompensation.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

REBEL Core Cast 116.0 – Achilles Tendon Rupture

by Anand Swaminathan posted January 24, 2024 No Comments

Take Home Points Achilles tendon rupture is a clinical diagnosis. The Thompson Test should be applied in all suspected cases. Remember to brace or splint a rupture, even if suspected, in the resting equinus position for optimal healing and prevention …

Orthopedics

Clinical Conundrums: Should You Give the First Dose of Antibiotics IV Before Discharging Home on Oral Antibiotics?

by Anand Swaminathan posted January 9, 2024 No Comments

Bottom Line Up Top: In patients with infectious processes that are stable for discharge home, there is no role for giving a first dose of antibiotics IV in the ED. Clinical Scenario: A 45-year-old woman with hypertension presents with a …

Infectious Disease

REBEL Core Cast 115.0 – Cardiogenic Shock

by Anand Swaminathan posted December 27, 2023 No Comments

Take Home Points: Know clinical (cold extremities, oliguria, confusion, dizziness, narrow pulse pressure) and laboratory markers (metabolic acidosis, elevated creatinine, lactic acidosis) of hypoperfusion. An elevated lactate is a danger sign and requires explanation. Norepinephrine is a great first line …

REBEL Core Cast 114.0 – Carbon Monoxide Toxicity

by Anand Swaminathan posted December 13, 2023 No Comments

Take Home Points: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that results from incomplete combustion of any carbon containing product. Exposure often occur unintentionally from indoor use of gas powered generators, camp stoves, or faulty home heaters. The …

Toxicology

REBEL Core

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