Jan 31, 2018
Educational Pearls
- Truvada (Emtricitabine/tenofovir) is a combination nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor that can be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. It has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
- It is used in high-risk patients, like the MSM community or those who are in...
Jan 29, 2018
Author: Rachael Duncan, PharmD
Educational Pearls
- A NEJM study report in July 2016 discussed a situation in New York during which 30 people became “zombie-like” after ingesting synthetic cannabinoids (aka “Spice).
- The ER managed to coordinate with the CDC to evaluate blood samples from 18 patients who were...
Jan 26, 2018
Author: Sam Killian, M.D.
Educational Pearls
- Traditionally, UTI diagnosis has been dependent on urine culture, urinalysis and clinical symptoms. But a recent study casts some doubt on the utility of urine cultures.
- A study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology did urine cultures and E. coli PCR in 220 women with UTI...
Jan 22, 2018
Author: Michael Hunt, M.D.
Educational Pearls
- Rhabdomyolysis is caused by the destruction of skeletal muscle that leads to the release of myoglobin, which causes renal failure. It presents with pain and weakness in the affected muscle, as well as dark urine.
- Diagnosis is made with creatinine kinase levels
- It can happen...
Jan 19, 2018
Author: Sam Killian, M.D.
Educational Pearls
- Transient global amnesia is a paroxysmal, transient memory issue. Remote and immediate memory is preserved, but new memories cannot be made.
- Patients will have a normal neurological exam and usually no other complaints.
- The episode will last less than 24 hours, but they...