Quick References
Bite-sized clinical summaries for when you need a refresher between patients or before a ward round — not full textbook chapters.
Cardiology
Heart Murmurs
Systolic vs diastolic timing, radiation patterns, and the bedside maneuvers (Valsalva, squatting, handgrip) that help tell them apart.
ECG Interpretation Basics
Systematic reading order (Rate → Rhythm → Axis → Intervals → ST/T waves), plus STEMI criteria and red-flag patterns to never miss.
ACS Management
For the full differential and can't-miss diagnoses before narrowing to ACS, see the chest pain approach guide.
- Aspirin 300mg, analgesia (titrated opioid if needed)
- Oxygen only if hypoxic (SpO₂ <94%)
- 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes of presentation, serial troponins
- STEMI → urgent reperfusion (PCI within 90 min, or thrombolysis if unavailable)
- NSTEMI/unstable angina → risk-stratify with the TIMI score, dual antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, early cardiology input
- Undifferentiated chest pain in the ED → the HEART score helps decide who can be safely discharged
Atrial Fibrillation Summary
Classification, rate vs rhythm control, and how stroke and bleeding risk scores guide anticoagulation.
Heart Failure Summary
- Classification: HFrEF (reduced ejection fraction) vs. HFpEF (preserved)
- NYHA class I–IV grades symptom severity
- Key signs: raised JVP, bibasal crackles, S3 gallop, peripheral/sacral edema
- Disease-modifying therapy (HFrEF): ACEi/ARB or ARNI, beta-blocker, MRA, SGLT2 inhibitor
- Diuretics (e.g. furosemide) for symptomatic fluid overload — symptom relief, not mortality benefit
Respiratory
Dyspnea Approach
Differential by system (cardiac, respiratory, other), bedside clues, and initial workup.
ABG Interpretation
A systematic pH → PaCO₂ → HCO₃⁻ framework, with worked examples and an acidosis-vs-alkalosis comparison table.
Oxygen Delivery Devices
Flow rates and approximate FiO₂ for nasal cannula through HFNC, plus when to choose each device.
Asthma Management
- Mild–moderate: salbutamol via spacer/nebulizer, oral corticosteroid course
- Severe: nebulized salbutamol + ipratropium, oxygen to target SpO₂ 94–98%, systemic steroids
- Life-threatening signs: silent chest, cyanosis, exhaustion, SpO₂ <92%, PEF <33% — escalate urgently; consider IV magnesium sulfate and senior/ICU input
- Discharge criteria: stable on usual inhalers for 12–24h, PEF >75%, written action plan
COPD Management
- Acute exacerbation: controlled oxygen (target SpO₂ 88–92% if at risk of CO₂ retention), nebulized bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics if signs of infection
- Consider NIV if respiratory acidosis persists despite initial treatment
- Long-term: smoking cessation, pulmonary rehab, bronchodilators (SABA/LABA/LAMA), inhaled corticosteroids if frequent exacerbations, long-term oxygen if chronically hypoxic
Pneumonia Summary
CAP vs. HAP vs. VAP classification, CURB-65-guided admission decisions, and antibiotic approach by severity.
Nephrology
AKI Approach
Classifying AKI as pre-renal, intrinsic, or post-renal, plus the labs (FENa, BUN:Cr ratio) that help tell them apart.
CKD Staging
By eGFR (use the CKD-EPI calculator):
- G1 ≥90 · G2 60–89 · G3a 45–59 · G3b 30–44 · G4 15–29 · G5 <15 mL/min/1.73m²
- Also staged by albuminuria category (A1/A2/A3) — combined to estimate overall risk per KDIGO
Hyperkalemia Management
ECG progression by severity, the treatment sequence (calcium → insulin/dextrose → removal), and the emergency protocol.
Hyponatremia Approach
Classifying by acuity and volume status, plus correction-rate limits to avoid osmotic demyelination syndrome.
Infectious Diseases
Common Antibiotics
Drug classes by clinical syndrome — CAP, UTI, and sepsis — with cautions for each.
CAP Treatment
Severity-guided antibiotic approach using CURB-65, from outpatient therapy through ICU-level care.
UTI Treatment
- Uncomplicated lower UTI: short oral antibiotic course per local resistance guidance
- Pyelonephritis (upper UTI): longer course; consider IV and admission if systemically unwell
- Catheter-associated UTI: only treat if symptomatic; consider catheter change
- Send urine culture before or with starting antibiotics where possible
Sepsis Overview
- Recognition: NEWS2 or the qSOFA score (RR≥22, altered mentation, SBP≤100 mmHg) for ward screening; SOFA score for ICU severity
- Hour-1 bundle: blood cultures, measure lactate, IV fluids if hypotensive or lactate >4, broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour, oxygen if needed, monitor urine output
- Septic shock: persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors despite adequate fluid resuscitation, with lactate >2 mmol/L
Emergency
Shock Types
Hemodynamic profiles and bedside clues for hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive shock.
Trauma Primary Survey
- A — Airway, with C-spine protection
- B — Breathing (look, listen, feel; treat tension pneumothorax / massive hemothorax)
- C — Circulation (control hemorrhage, IV access, fluid/blood resuscitation)
- D — Disability (GCS, pupils, glucose; NIHSS if stroke is suspected)
- E — Exposure/Environment (fully expose, prevent hypothermia)
ACLS Algorithms
- Shockable rhythms (VF / pulseless VT): defibrillate immediately, CPR in 2-minute cycles, epinephrine after the 2nd shock, consider amiodarone after the 3rd
- Non-shockable rhythms (PEA / asystole): high-quality CPR, epinephrine every 3–5 minutes, identify reversible causes
- Reversible causes — 4 Hs and 4 Ts: Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hypo/hyperkalemia, Hypothermia · Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis
- Always follow your institution's current ALS/ACLS protocol — algorithms are updated periodically
ECG Emergencies
- STEMI: ST elevation in contiguous leads — urgent reperfusion
- VF / pulseless VT: defibrillate immediately
- Complete heart block: P waves and QRS dissociated — may need pacing
- Hyperkalemia: peaked T waves → widened QRS → sine wave
- PE: sinus tachycardia is most common; S1Q3T3 is classic but insensitive
Hematology
CBC Interpretation & Anemia Approach
Reading a CBC systematically, plus a complete anemia workup — microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic causes, hemolysis labs, and white cell/platelet abnormalities.
Mentzer Index
A simple MCV ÷ RBC count screen that helps differentiate iron deficiency anemia from thalassemia trait in microcytic anemia.
Psychiatry
PHQ-9
9-item depression screening and severity tool. Item 9 (self-harm) always warrants direct safety assessment if positive, regardless of total score.
GAD-7
7-item anxiety screening and severity tool, commonly used alongside PHQ-9.
Obstetrics
EDD Calculator
Estimates the due date and current gestational age from the last menstrual period, using Naegele's rule.
Bishop Score
Assesses cervical readiness for labor induction using five components of the cervical exam.
Toxicology
Approach to the Poisoned Patient
General approach, common toxidromes (opioid, sedative-hypnotic, anticholinergic, cholinergic, sympathomimetic), and supportive care principles.
Osmolar Gap
Screens for toxic alcohol ingestion and other unmeasured osmoles using routine labs.
Surgery
Alvarado Score
Estimates the probability of acute appendicitis using symptoms, signs, and basic labs.
ASA Physical Status
Classifies pre-operative physical status to communicate baseline health and anticipate risk.
Gastroenterology
Glasgow-Blatchford Score
Risk-stratifies upper GI bleeding to decide who may be safe for outpatient management versus admission.
Geriatrics
CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)
A bedside algorithm for delirium screening, based on four core features.
Hepatology
Elevated LFTs Approach
Classifying abnormal liver function tests by pattern (hepatocellular, cholestatic, mixed) and the causes that go with each.
Child-Pugh & MELD-Na
Severity grading for cirrhosis and liver transplant allocation priority.
Neurology
Stroke Assessment
FAST/BE-FAST recognition, the ischemic-vs-hemorrhagic question, and key treatment time windows.
ABCD2 Score
Estimates short-term stroke risk after a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Cranial Nerves
Quick bedside tests for each cranial nerve, plus the mnemonics that make them stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a substitute for a full textbook?
No — these are quick refreshers for between patients or before rounds, not a replacement for your primary course material or textbooks.
Why do some topics link to a calculator and others to a full guide?
Topics with an interactive scoring tool link to that calculator. Topics that are mainly explanatory link to a dedicated long-form guide with more detail.
How often are new topics added?
Regularly. If there's a topic you'd like covered, you can request it via the About page.