Course 2: Pathophysiology Diagnosed By

Question 1

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Diagnosed by?

Answer 1

Cardiac Catheterization (not done in the ED)

Question 2

Myocardial Infarction (MI) STEMI/non-STEMI: Diagnosed by?

Answer 2

EKG (STEMI)
Elevated Troponin (non-STEMI)

Question 3

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Diagnosed by? (2)

Answer 3

CXR – heart looks like >50% of space
Elevated BNP (B type natriuretic peptide) – blood test

Question 4

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Diagnosed by?

Answer 4

EKG

Question 5

Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Diagnosed by?

Answer 5

CTA Chest (CT Chest with IV contrast) or VQ scan
D-Dimer aids in detecting clots, but cannot diagnose a PE. (if neg, no PE. If pos, may be PE, in which need to do CTA or VQ to diagnose.)

Question 6

Pneumonia (PNA): Diagnosed by?

Answer 6

CXR

Question 7

Pneumothorax (PTX): Diagnosed by?

Answer 7

CXR

Question 8

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Diagnosed by?

Answer 8

CXR and Hx of smoking

Question 9

Reactive Airway Disease (RAD): Diagnosed by?

Answer 9

Clinically

Question 10

Ischemic CVA: Diagnosed by? (2)

Answer 10

Clinically, Potentially normal CT Head

Question 11

Hemorrhagic CVA (Brain Bleed): Diagnosed by?

Answer 11

CT Head or LP (check spinal fluid for blood)

Question 12

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Diagnosed by?

Answer 12

Clinically

Question 13

Meningitis – Bacterial v Viral: Diagnosed by?

Answer 13

LP

Question 14

Spinal Cord Injury: Diagnosed by? (3)

Answer 14

CT Cervical Spine (Neck)
CT Thoracic Spine (Upper back)
CT Lumber Spine (lower back)

Question 15

Bells Palsy: Diagnosed by?

Answer 15

Clinically

Question 16

Altered Mental Status (AMS): Diagnosed by?

Answer 16

Case dependent

Question 17

Vertigo (Room Spinning): Diagnosed by?

Answer 17

Clinically

Question 18

Appendicitis (APPY): Diagnosed by?

Answer 18

CT A/P with PO contrast (oral solution lightens image of organs)

Question 19

Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO): Diagnosed by? (2)

Answer 19

CT A/P with PO Contrast

Acute Abdominal Series (AAS) – abdominal xray

Question 20

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis, Cholecystitis): Diagnosed by?

Answer 20

Abdominal US, RUQ

Question 21

Gastointestinal Bleed (GI Bleed): Diagnosed by?

Answer 21

Heme positive stool (guaiac positive) during rectal exam

Question 22

Diverticulitis: Diagnosed by?

Answer 22

CT A/P with PO contrast

Question 23

Pancreatitis: Diagnosed by?

Answer 23

Elevated Lipase lab test (or sometimes elevated Amylase)

Question 24

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Diagnosed by?

Answer 24

Urine dip or Urinalysis (tests for nitrite, WBC, and bacterine)

Question 25

Pyelonephritis: Diagnosed by?

Answer 25

CT Abd/Pelvis without contrast or confirmed UTI with CVA tenderness on exam

Question 26

Kidney Stone (Nephrolithiasis): Diagnosed by? (2)

Answer 26

CT Abd/Pelvis | RBC in UA may be clue

Question 27

Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosed by?

Answer 27

US Pelvis -> determine location of fetus

Question 28

Ovarian Torsion: Diagnosed by?

Answer 28

US Pelvis -> assesses blood flow to ovaries

Question 29

Testicular Torsion: Diagnosed by?

Answer 29

US Scrotum

Question 30

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI): Diagnosed by?

Answer 30

Clinically

Question 31

Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat): Diagnosed by?

Answer 31

Rapid Strep

Question 32

Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Diagnosed by?

Answer 32

Clinically

Question 33

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Diagnosed by?

Answer 33

Clinically

Question 34

Epistaxis (Nosebleed): Diagnosed by?

Answer 34

Clinically

Question 35

Aortic Dissection: Diagnosed by?

Answer 35

CT Chest with IV contrast dye

Question 36

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Diagnosed by?

Answer 36

US/Doppler of the extremity

Question 37

Abscess (Cellulitis with Fluctuance): Diagnosed by?

Answer 37

Clinically

Question 38

Cellulitis: Diagnosed by?

Answer 38

Clinically

Question 39

Rash: Diagnosed by?

Answer 39

Clinically

Question 40

Allergic Reaction: Diagnosed by?

Answer 40

Clinically

Question 41

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Diagnosed by?

Answer 41

Arterial blood gas (ABG or VBG) showing low pH (acidosis) or positive serum ketones

Question 42

Trauma: Diagnosed by?

Answer 42

Trauma protocol depending on MOI: CT or XR

Question 43

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Diagnosed by?

Answer 43

CT A/P with IV contrast dye