Red Flags

Question 1

FOUR red flags for headache that make you think SAH

Answer 1

1. thunderclap onset - “0-10 in seconds to minutes?”, “worst at onset”
2. severity - worst headache ever
3. neck stiffness - irritation of meninges
4. exertional - “what were you doing when headache started?”

Question 2

Indications for urgent dialysis (5)

Answer 2

"aeiou"
acidosis
electrolytes - K
ingestion/intoxicants/drugs
overload - 
uremia -

Question 3

Diarrhea red flags

Answer 3

hematochezia
worry about electrolyte abnormalities (
weight loss

Question 4

Epigastric pain red flags that make you think MI (3)

Answer 4

acute dyspnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis

Question 5

HTN red flags

Answer 5

new onset headache
visual changes
altered mental status
syncope
neurologic deficits

Question 6

Low back pain red flags?

Answer 6

significant trauma
cauda equina - saddle anaesthesia, fecal incontinence, urinary retention
malignancy - hx of cancer, wt loss, age >50
infection - fever, IVDU, immunocompromised