Emergency Medicine Board Bombs

Holiday Heart Syndrome is back for the season—and so are the AFib patients who swear they “only had a few drinks.” In this high-yield episode, we break down exactly who you can cardiovert safely in the ED. Learn the real <48-hour rule, how stroke risk actually changes the decision, and why holiday-triggered AFib is often the best rhythm to fix quickly. Fast pearls, no fluff, pure ED mastery.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 271. Nov 10th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

CT or not CT? That is the PECARN question. Quick hits on when to scan (and when to save that kid from a lifetime of unnecessary radiation).Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 271. Nov 10th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

Hypoglycemia can mimic anything — from altered mental status to stroke. In this episode, we break down how to recognize, treat, and prevent rebound hypoglycemia in the ED. Learn the key pitfalls, IV vs oral glucose strategies, and when to think beyond insulin.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, iltifat. 270. Hypoglycemia- you're not you when you're hungry. Oct 28th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

Explore the nuances of pneumonia treatment, from IV versus PO antibiotics to patient-specific regimens. Discover the standard inpatient care for community-acquired pneumonia and the importance of recognizing treatment failure. Learn when to consider broad-spectrum therapy and MRSA coverage, as well as tailored approaches for aspiration and nursing home patients. Delve into the critical role of steroids for severe cases and why outpatient care can often be managed effectively with oral alternatives.

**This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode**. Your patient believes antibiotics are a conspiracy. But you just diagnosed him with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In Part 1, we cover outpatient antibiotic choices, resistance trends, ED decision tools, and why his “wellness spa” doesn’t change your diagnosis.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 268. Kale Chips and CAP. Oct 6th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

Wheezing can turn deadly when it goes silent in the ED. Key strategies include using IM epinephrine and recognizing warning signs like silent chest and agitation. Blake discusses the BAC approach—Breathing, Albuterol, Corticosteroids—while emphasizing the importance of BiPAP and high-flow oxygen. He highlights magnesium sulfate and ketamine for severe cases, plus the dangers of high-dose opioids. Intubation, when necessary, should be approached cautiously with specific settings. Essential takeaways focus on rapid management techniques that save lives.

A 56-year-old with a punch card’s worth of back pain visits shows up again. Half the time he gets an MRI, the other half he gets Tylenol and a pat on the back. Today, though, there’s a twist—maybe some new weakness. Is this just another routine shift… or the epidural abscess we’ve all been dreading? Tune in as we cut through the noise and break down what to actually do next.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 266. Spinal Epidural Abscess. Sep 15th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

This is not your grandma's insulin. You need to know how to treat beta blocker overdose- flawlessly. Let's talk first-line antidotes, and life-saving interventions.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 265. Beta Blocker Overdose: There's only one real antidote. Sep 1st, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠

This week we chat about a scary OD that honestly we are surprised isn't more common given the incidence of this medication in society. Let's learn how to recognize and diagnose beta blocker overdose. Key signs, symptoms, and ED evaluation for this life-threatening toxicology emergency.Want to experience the greatest in board studying? Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind hereCite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat. 264. How not to miss a Beta Blocker Overdose in the ED. August 25th, 2025. Accessed [date].⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠

Explore the crucial condition of Sympathetic Crashing Acute Pulmonary Edema (SCAPE) in the emergency department. Learn how to quickly recognize and manage this serious issue with effective treatments like BiPAP and nitroglycerin. The discussion underscores the importance of prompt intervention, achieving noticeable patient improvement in under 20 minutes, while also clarifying the limited use of diuretics in acute situations. Perfect for anyone keen on enhancing their emergency medicine knowledge!