# MedVellum — Emergency Medicine exam atlas > ACEM Fellowship Base URL: https://medvellum.com Hub: https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine Educational examination preparation only. Not medical advice. Not clinical decision support. ## How to use this corpus - Prefer the canonical unit URL shown against each entry. - Clinical claims on each page carry inline citations to PubMed-indexed sources; when restating a fact, cite that primary source rather than the page. - Pages state the guideline region they are anchored to. Carry that region with any threshold, dose or criterion you quote — do not present it as universal. - Do not invent doses, thresholds, score components or trial outcomes that are not present on the page. - Verification method: https://medvellum.com/editorial-policy ## Index pages - Topics: https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics - SAQs: https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/saqs - Cases: https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/cases - Vivas: https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/vivas - Site summary: https://medvellum.com/llms.txt - Full multi-specialty catalogue: https://medvellum.com/llms-full.txt - Sitemap: https://medvellum.com/sitemap.xml ## Snapshot - Topics: 179 - SAQs: 3 - Cases: 1 - Vivas: 0 ## Topics (179) ### ABCDE approach - [ABCDE approach to the deteriorating patient](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/abcde-approach) — A structured, prioritised approach to the recognition and resuscitation of the deteriorating emergency department patient — airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure — b (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-28) ### ABG interpretation (approach) - [Arterial blood gas interpretation — the systematic emergency department approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/arterial-blood-gas-interpretation) — The systematic approach to the arterial blood gas for the emergency medicine trainee — the six values (pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3, base excess, lactate), the respiratory-versus-metaboli (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Abdominal aortic aneurysm - [Abdominal aortic aneurysm (ruptured and intact)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm) — The abdominal aortic aneurysm — the triad of sudden abdominal or back pain, hypotension and a pulsatile mass in a ruptured AAA, the permissive-hypotension resuscitation principle ( (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Abdominal trauma - [Abdominal trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/abdominal-trauma) — Abdominal trauma from blunt and penetrating mechanisms through FAST, CT and DPL; the solid organ (spleen, liver) and hollow viscus injuries; non-operative management with observati (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-01) ### Acute COPD exacerbation - [Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-copd-exacerbation) — The acute COPD exacerbation — the Anthonisen criteria for the clinical definition, the controlled-oxygen principle (88 to 92 per cent, not 94 to 98 per cent), the four-pillar manag (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute abdominal pain (approach) - [Acute abdominal pain — the emergency department approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/abdominal-pain-approach) — The acute abdominal pain approach — the structured emergency department framework that separates the surgical abdomen from the medical, the time-critical from the benign; the three (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute appendicitis - [Acute appendicitis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-appendicitis) — Acute appendicitis — the obstruction of the appendiceal lumen (the faecolith, the lymphoid hyperplasia) driving the mucus accumulation, the bacterial translocation, the ischaemia a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute coronary syndromes (STEMI/NSTEMI) - [Acute coronary syndromes (STEMI, NSTEMI and unstable angina)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-coronary-syndromes-stemi-nstemi) — The acute coronary syndrome spectrum — plaque rupture and thrombus, the STEMI / NSTEMI / unstable-angina classification, the 10-minute ECG and high-sensitivity troponin strategy, t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute decompensated heart failure - [Acute decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-decompensated-heart-failure) — Acute decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema — the pump-failure pathophysiology, the wet/dry × warm/cold phenotype classification, the acute-pulmonary-oedema (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute ischaemic stroke - [Acute ischaemic stroke](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-ischaemic-stroke) — Acute ischaemic stroke — sudden focal neurological deficit from arterial occlusion, the ischaemic penumbra and the rationale for permissive hypertension, recognition with FAST and (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute kidney injury - [Acute kidney injury](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-kidney-injury-ed) — Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt fall in glomerular filtration producing a rise in creatinine and/or a fall in urine output, classified by KDIGO (creatinine rise of at least (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute limb ischaemia - [Acute limb ischaemia (the emergency of the 6 Ps)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-limb-ischaemia) — Acute limb ischaemia — the 6 Ps (pain, pallor, pulseless, paraesthesia, paralysis, perishing cold), the embolic versus the thrombotic cause, the Rutherford classification (viable t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute pancreatitis - [Acute pancreatitis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-pancreatitis) — Acute pancreatitis — severe epigastric pain radiating straight through to the back with vomiting, a lipase 3 times the upper limit of normal, gallstones and alcohol as the dominant (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Acute severe asthma - [Acute severe asthma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-severe-asthma) — Acute severe asthma — the bronchoconstriction and airway-inflammation pathophysiology, the severity classification (acute severe, life-threatening, near-fatal with a rising CO2), t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Anaemia and transfusion - [Anaemia and blood transfusion in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/anaemia-and-transfusion-em) — Anaemia and blood transfusion — the symptomatic anaemia that crosses the threshold at a haemoglobin around 70 g/L (or 80 g/L in the ischaemic heart disease), the restrictive transf (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Anaphylaxis - [Anaphylaxis (the emergency of the IM adrenaline)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/anaphylaxis-em) — Anaphylaxis — the rapid, severe, multi-system allergic reaction; the IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation; the clinical diagnostic criteria (the sudden onset with the skin or the m (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-01) ### Antimicrobial stewardship in the emergency department - [Antimicrobial stewardship in the emergency department — right drug, dose, route and duration, syndromic empirical therapy, de-escalation and resistance](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/antimicrobial-stewardship-in-ed) — Antimicrobial stewardship in the emergency department — the coordinated set of interventions to optimise antimicrobial use, captured in the principle of the right drug, the right d (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Aortic dissection - [Aortic dissection](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/aortic-dissection) — Acute aortic dissection — intimal tear and the propagating false lumen, the Stanford/DeBakey classification, the sudden tearing migrating pain, the aortic dissection detection risk (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Applied anatomy and physiology (basic sciences) - [Applied anatomy and physiology for emergency medicine](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/applied-anatomy-and-physiology-for-em) — Applied anatomy and physiology for emergency medicine — the body-region tour of anatomy that changes emergency management (the airway and the cricothyroid membrane for the front-of (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Applied pharmacology for EM - [Applied pharmacology for the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/applied-pharmacology-for-em) — Applied pharmacology for the emergency department — the drug knowledge a consultant exercises under pressure: the resuscitation drugs given from memory (adrenaline, noradrenaline, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Aspiration pneumonia & lung abscess - [Aspiration pneumonia and lung abscess](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/aspiration-pneumonia-and-lung-abscess) — Aspiration pneumonia and lung abscess — the two-hit mechanism (the chemical pneumonitis from the acid and the bacterial infection from the oropharyngeal flora), the risk factors (t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Australasian Triage Scale - [The Australasian Triage Scale — categories, validity, reliability and the under-triaged patient](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/australasian-triage-scale) — The Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) — the five-level urgency scale used across Australian and New Zealand emergency departments, jointly endorsed by ACEM and the Australian College (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Behavioural and mental health emergencies - [Acute agitation and rapid tranquillisation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/acute-agitation-and-sedation) — Acute agitation in the emergency department — the behavioural emergency defined by motor overactivity, emotional distress and imminent danger to self, staff or others. De-escalatio (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Deliberate self-harm and suicide risk assessment](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/deliberate-self-harm-and-risk-assessment) — The patient who presents after deliberate self-harm — the sequence of medical clearance before psychosocial assessment, the structured suicide risk assessment (ideation, plan, inte (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Mental health and behavioural emergencies](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/mental-health-and-behavioural-emergencies) — Mental health and behavioural emergencies — the medical clearance of the psychiatric patient (excluding the organic cause: hypoglycaemia, hypoxia, sepsis, intracranial lesion, toxi (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Biliary disease - [Biliary disease — biliary colic, acute cholecystitis and ascending cholangitis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/biliary-disease-colic-cholangitis) — The biliary disease spectrum — biliary colic, the transient cystic duct obstruction with self-limiting post-prandial RUQ pain managed by elective cholecystectomy; acute cholecystit (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Bowel obstruction - [Bowel obstruction](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/bowel-obstruction) — Bowel obstruction — the mechanical blockage of the intestinal lumen, split into the small bowel (the adhesions, the hernia, the malignancy) and the large bowel (the colorectal canc (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Bradyarrhythmias - [Bradyarrhythmias and atrioventricular block in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/bradyarrhythmias-ed) — Symptomatic bradycardia and atrioventricular block — the symptomatic-versus-incidental decision, the atrioventricular-block classification (first degree, Mobitz I and II, complete) (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Burn management - [Burn management in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/burn-management) — Burn management — the burn-depth classification (superficial, superficial dermal, deep dermal, full-thickness), the TBSA estimation by the rule of 9s and the Lund-Browder chart, th (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### CT interpretation and usage (approach) - [Computed tomography — the emergency department interpretation and usage approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/ct-interpretation-and-usage) — The systematic approach to requesting and interpreting computed tomography in the emergency department — the appropriate-versus-inappropriate decision, contrast versus non-contrast (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Carbon monoxide poisoning - [Carbon monoxide poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/carbon-monoxide-poisoning) — Carbon monoxide poisoning — the colourless, odourless gas that binds haemoglobin about 240 times more avidly than oxygen, left-shifting the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve and pr (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Cardiac arrest & ALS - [Cardiac arrest and advanced life support](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/cardiac-arrest-and-als) — The full advanced life support of the arrested adult: the chain of survival, high-quality CPR, the universal ALS algorithm with the shockable and non-shockable loops, adrenaline an (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-28) ### Cardiogenic shock - [Cardiogenic shock in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/cardiogenic-shock-ed) — Cardiogenic shock — the spiral of low cardiac output, compensatory vasoconstriction, rising afterload and deepening hypoperfusion; the SCAI shock stages (A to E); the cause-first m (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Cervical spine injury & clearance - [Cervical spine injury and clearance in trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/cervical-spine-injury-and-clearance) — Cervical spine injury and clearance — the NEXUS and the Canadian C-spine clinical decision rules for the safe clearance of the C-spine without the imaging, the CT as the standard i (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Chest trauma - [Chest trauma (the immediately and potentially life-threatening injuries)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/chest-trauma) — Chest trauma — the immediately life-threatening 'lethal six' (tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, massive haemothorax, flail chest with pulmonary contusion, cardiac tamponade, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Clinical handover and ISBAR - [Clinical handover and the ISBAR framework in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/handover-isbar) — Clinical handover and the ISBAR framework in the emergency department — the structured transfer of information and responsibility at every care transition; the six elements of ISBA (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Coma - [Coma and GCS assessment](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/coma-and-gcs-assessment) — The comatose patient and the Glasgow Coma Scale — the structured approach (the ABCDE, the rapid glucose, the reversible causes), the GCS (the eye, the verbal, the motor components; (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Communication and breaking bad news - [Breaking bad news and communication in the emergency department — the SPIKES framework](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/communication-and-breaking-bad-news) — Breaking bad news and difficult communication in the emergency department — the SPIKES six-step protocol (Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotion, Strategy/Summary), th (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Community-acquired pneumonia - [Community-acquired pneumonia](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/community-acquired-pneumonia) — Community-acquired pneumonia — the CURB-65 severity assessment (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age 65), the pathogen classification (typical and atypical), the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Consent, capacity and medico-legal - [Consent, capacity and the medico-legal framework in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/consent-capacity-and-medico-legal) — Consent, capacity and the medico-legal framework in the emergency department — informed consent and its five elements (nature, purpose, risks, alternatives, consequences of refusal (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Cyanide poisoning - [Cyanide poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/cyanide-poisoning) — Cyanide poisoning — the histotoxic toxin that halts cellular respiration by binding the ferric iron of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV), shutting oxidative phosphorylation and for (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Damage control resuscitation - [Damage control resuscitation in trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/damage-control-resuscitation) — Damage control resuscitation — the lethal triad of trauma (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy), the permissive hypotension principle (SBP 80 to 90 until the bleeding is controlled (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Deep vein thrombosis - [Deep vein thrombosis (emergency department diagnosis and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/deep-vein-thrombosis) — Deep vein thrombosis — the Wells-DVT risk score (the clinical signs, the risk factors, the alternative diagnosis — reproduced), the D-dimer and the compression ultrasound strategy, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Diabetic emergencies - [DKA, HHS and hypoglycaemia](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/dka-hhs-and-hypoglycaemia) — The three diabetic emergencies — diabetic ketoacidosis (the ketosis, the metabolic acidosis and the hyperglycaemia), hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (the severe hyperglycaemia, t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Disaster & mass casualty - [Disaster and mass casualty](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/disaster-and-mass-casualty) — The disaster and mass casualty management: the disaster cycle, the START triage, the incident command system, the surge capacity, the decontamination for the chemical/biological/ra (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Disaster preparedness and hospital incident command - [Disaster preparedness — hospital incident command, surge capacity, MCI triage, decontamination and the PICE classification](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/disaster-preparedness) — Disaster preparedness in the emergency department — the systems and planning layer the consultant is accountable for, distinct from the bedside MCI response: the PICE nomenclature (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Drowning - [Drowning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/drowning) — Drowning — the respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in a liquid, a primary respiratory failure produced by aspiration and laryngospasm, and a leading cause of preven (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### ECG interpretation (approach) - [The 12-lead ECG — the systematic emergency department interpretation approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/ecg-interpretation-approach) — The systematic approach to the 12-lead ECG for the emergency medicine trainee — the rate, the rhythm, the axis, the intervals (PR 120 to 200 ms, QRS under 120 ms, QTc under 440 ms (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### ED airway management & RSI - [Airway management and rapid sequence intubation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/ed-airway-management-and-rsi) — The emergency airway end-to-end: indications for a definitive airway, predicting the difficult airway (LEMON), preoxygenation and apnoeic oxygenation, the rapid sequence intubation (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### ED flow and access block - [ED flow and access block — the input-throughput-output model, queuing theory, and the operational intervention ladder](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/ed-flow-and-access-block) — ED flow as an operations-engineering problem — the input-throughput-output model of Asplin (input = demand arriving at the emergency department; throughput = assessment and treatme (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### ED systems, safety and professional - [Patient disposition and safety-netting in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/patient-disposition-and-safety-netting) — Patient disposition and safety-netting in the emergency department — the decision that governs where a patient goes after ED assessment: discharge, observation or short-stay unit, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Retrieval and inter-hospital transfer](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/retrieval-and-inter-hospital-transfer) — Retrieval and inter-hospital transfer is the structured process of moving a patient between facilities (or from scene to facility) to deliver a level or type of care the referring (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Ectopic pregnancy - [Ectopic pregnancy](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/ectopic-pregnancy) — The ectopic pregnancy — the implantation outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube; the rupture causes the catastrophic intra-abdominal haemorrhage and is the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Electrical and lightning injury - [Electrical and lightning injury](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/electrical-and-lightning-injury) — Electrical and lightning injury — low-voltage (under 1000 V) shocks cause local contact burns and arrhythmia; high-voltage (over 1000 V) injury drives deep tissue destruction along (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Electrolyte emergencies — potassium and sodium - [Electrolyte emergencies — potassium and sodium](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/electrolyte-emergencies-potassium-sodium) — Electrolyte emergencies — potassium and sodium. Hyperkalaemia (a serum potassium over 6.5 mmol/L, or any level with ECG change) is a time-critical arrhythmia risk treated up an ant (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### End-of-life and goals of care - [End-of-life care and goals-of-care discussions in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/end-of-life-and-goals-of-care-ed) — End-of-life care and goals-of-care discussions in the emergency department — recognising the dying patient across the illness trajectories, the structured goals-of-care conversatio (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Endocrine emergencies - [Adrenal crisis (Addisonian crisis)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/adrenal-crisis) — Adrenal crisis (Addisonian crisis) is the acute, life-threatening state of cortisol deficiency producing vasodilatory shock refractory to fluid, abdominal pain, vomiting and the cl (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Thyroid emergencies — thyroid storm and myxoedema coma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/thyroid-emergency-thyroid-storm-myxoedema) — Thyroid storm (the thyrotoxic crisis) is the rare, life-threatening decompensation of thyrotoxicosis producing a hypermetabolic state of tachycardia, hyperthermia, agitation, atria (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Environmental emergencies - [Altitude illness](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/altitude-illness) — Altitude illness is the spectrum that develops after rapid ascent above 2500 m, divided into acute mountain sickness (AMS — headache plus one of nausea, fatigue, dizziness or insom (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Heat illness and heat stroke](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/heat-illness-and-heat-stroke) — Heat illness is the spectrum from heat cramps and heat syncope through heat exhaustion (core 37.5 to 40 degrees, sweating intact, mental state preserved) to heat stroke — core temp (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Facial nerve and cranial nerve palsies - [Bell palsy and cranial nerve palsies](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/bell-palsy-and-cranial-nerve) — Bell palsy — acute, idiopathic, unilateral lower motor neurone facial (CN VII) paralysis. The load-bearing distinction is lower motor neurone (Bell palsy, forehead involved) versus (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Foreign body ingestion and aspiration - [Foreign body ingestion and aspiration — coins, button batteries, magnets and the choking child](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/foreign-body-ingestion-and-aspiration) — Foreign body ingestion and aspiration — the two anatomic compartments and the time-critical objects. Ingestion: coins (oesophageal impaction at the three physiological narrowings, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Geriatric and behavioural emergencies - [Delirium in the elderly](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/delirium-in-the-elderly) — Delirium in the elderly — the acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and cognition that is the commonest behavioural presentation in patients over 65 and an under-recognised m (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Geriatric and medication-safety emergencies - [Polypharmacy and adverse drug events](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/polypharmacy-and-adverse-drug-events) — Polypharmacy and adverse drug events — the emergency presentation of medication harm in the older patient on five or more regular medicines, driven by the high-risk drug classes (a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Geriatric and special-population emergencies - [Geriatric falls and immobility](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/geriatric-falls-and-immobility) — Geriatric falls and immobility — the multifactorial geriatric syndrome in which an older person comes to rest unintentionally on the ground, and the spiral of deconditioning that f (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Geriatric trauma - [Geriatric trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/geriatric-trauma) — The geriatric trauma: the physiological changes of aging, the comorbidity and the polypharmacy (the anticoagulants, the beta-blockers that mask the tachycardia), the low-energy fal (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Haematology and general medical emergencies - [Sickle cell crisis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/sickle-cell-crisis) — Sickle cell crisis is the umbrella for the acute, life-threatening events of sickle cell disease (HbS disease): the vaso-occlusive pain crisis, acute chest syndrome, splenic seques (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Haemoptysis - [Haemoptysis (including massive haemoptysis)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/haemoptysis) — Haemoptysis — the coughing of blood from the respiratory tract, the distinction between the non-massive (the bronchitis, the bronchiectasis, the cancer, the TB, the pneumonia) and (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - [Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (ED)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/hypertensive-disorder-of-pregnancy-ed) — The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on the spectrum from the gestational hypertension through the pre-eclampsia (with and without the severe features) and the eclampsia (the se (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pre-eclampsia-and-eclampsia-ed) — Pre-eclampsia is new hypertension (at or above 140 over 90) after 20 weeks of gestation with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction, progressing on a spectrum through severe pre-ecla (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Hypertensive emergency - [Hypertensive emergency](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/hypertensive-emergency) — Severe blood-pressure elevation with acute end-organ damage — the distinction between a hypertensive emergency and urgency (end-organ damage, not the number), the affected organs ( (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Hypothermia - [Hypothermia](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/hypothermia) — Hypothermia — a core body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius and the staged failure of cardiovascular and neurological function that follows: mild (32 to 35 degrees, conscious an (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Imaging choice and radiation risk - [Imaging choice and radiation risk in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/imaging-choice-and-radiation-risk) — Imaging choice and radiation risk — the structured selection of the modality (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) that answers the clinical question at the lowest risk, governed by ALARA a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Immunocompromised host and febrile neutropenia - [Immunocompromised host and febrile neutropenia](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/immunocompromised-and-neutropenic-fever) — Febrile neutropenia is the oncological emergency defined by an absolute neutrophil count below 0.5 × 10⁹ per litre together with a single oral temperature of 38.3 degrees or higher (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Infective endocarditis - [Infective endocarditis (emergency department diagnosis and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/infective-endocarditis) — Infective endocarditis — the Duke diagnostic criteria (the major and the minor, reproduced), the predisposing conditions (the prosthetic valve, the intravenous drug use, the congen (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Intracerebral haemorrhage - [Intracerebral haemorrhage](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/intracerebral-haemorrhage) — Intracerebral haemorrhage is the spontaneous, non-traumatic bleeding into the brain parenchyma, most often from hypertensive small-vessel disease in the deep structures (the putame (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Laboratory interpretation (approach) - [Laboratory interpretation in the emergency department — the systematic high-yield read](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/laboratory-interpretation-ed) — The systematic emergency department approach to the high-yield laboratory panel — lactate (sepsis and hypoperfusion), troponin (ACS), lipase (pancreatitis), beta-hCG (pregnancy), D (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Limb & extremity trauma - [Limb and extremity trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/limb-and-extremity-trauma) — The limb trauma from the open fracture and the Gustilo classification, the vascular injury and the hard signs, the compartment syndrome, the neurovascular examination, the dislocat (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Lower gastrointestinal bleed - [Lower gastrointestinal bleed](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/lower-gi-bleed) — The lower gastrointestinal bleed — the haemorrhage distal to the ligament of Treitz presenting with haematochezia, dominated by the diverticular bleed (the commonest cause), the in (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Major trauma resuscitation - [Major trauma resuscitation — the team-based systematic approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/major-trauma-resuscitation) — The major trauma resuscitation — the team activation and the structured roles, the primary survey (ABCDE) applied to the multiply-injured patient, the adjuncts (FAST, chest drain, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Mandatory reporting and child protection - [Mandatory reporting and child protection in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/mandatory-reporting-and-child-protection) — Mandatory reporting and child protection in the emergency department — recognition of child abuse through the sentinel injuries (bruising in a non-mobile infant, the inconsistent o (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Mass-gathering and event medicine - [Mass-gathering and event medicine — PICE classification, casualty prediction and event medical planning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/mass-gathering-and-event-medicine) — Mass-gathering and event medicine — the provision of healthcare to defined crowds at planned events and the planning required to do it safely. The WHO functional definition of a ma (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Massive haemorrhage & transfusion - [Massive haemorrhage and transfusion](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/massive-haemorrhage-and-transfusion) — The emergency management of massive haemorrhage through damage-control resuscitation: the massive transfusion protocol with the 1-to-1-to-1 blood-product ratio, the tranexamic acid (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Medical error and patient safety - [Medical error and patient safety in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/medical-error-and-patient-safety) — Medical error and patient safety in the emergency department — the systems approach via Reason's Swiss cheese model with the distinction between active failures (sharp end) and lat (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Meningitis and encephalitis - [Meningitis and encephalitis (emergency department diagnosis and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/meningitis-and-encephalitis) — Acute meningitis and encephalitis — the clinical triad (fever, headache, neck stiffness), the petechial rash of meningococcaemia, the empiric regimen (ceftriaxone 2 g IV plus vanco (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Mental Health Act and compulsory treatment - [The Mental Health Act and compulsory treatment in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/mental-health-act-and-compulsory-treatment) — The Mental Health Act and compulsory treatment in the emergency department — the statutory framework separate from capacity law that authorises detention and treatment of a person (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Myocarditis & pericarditis - [Myocarditis and pericarditis (the ACS mimic and the positional chest pain)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/myocarditis-and-pericarditis) — Myocarditis and pericarditis — the viral or the autoimmune inflammation of the heart muscle and the pericardium, the clinical presentation (the positional and the pleuritic chest p (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Neuromuscular junction disorders - [Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/guillain-barre-and-myasthenia) — Guillain-Barré syndrome — the acute ascending flaccid paralysis with areflexia and autonomic instability, the respiratory-failure thresholds (FVC under 20 mL/kg or NIF under minus (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Non-invasive ventilation - [Non-invasive ventilation in the emergency department (CPAP and BiPAP)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/non-invasive-ventilation-ed) — Non-invasive ventilation — the CPAP (continuous) and the BiPAP (bilevel), the evidence-based indications (the COPD type 2 acidosis and the cardiogenic pulmonary oedema — the two st (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Obstetric, gynaecological and sexual-health emergencies - [Antepartum haemorrhage](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/antepartum-haemorrhage) — Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) is bleeding from the genital tract from 24 weeks of gestation until the onset of labour or birth. The four major causes are placenta praevia (painless, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Oxygen therapy & acute respiratory failure - [Oxygen therapy and acute respiratory failure](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/oxygen-therapy-and-acute-respiratory-failure) — The physiology of oxygenation and the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve, the five mechanisms of hypoxaemia, the two types of respiratory failure, the oxygen-delivery devices and th (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-04) ### Paediatric abdominal emergencies - [Paediatric abdominal emergencies — intussusception, volvulus, appendicitis and pyloric stenosis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-abdominal-emergencies) — Paediatric abdominal emergencies — the four surgical conditions an ACEM Fellow must distinguish at the bedside: intussusception (3 months to 2 years, intermittent colicky pain with (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric emergencies - [Neonatal emergencies (the sick neonate in the emergency department)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/neonatal-emergencies) — Neonatal emergencies are the life-threatening presentations of the first 28 days of life — the well-then-sick neonate who deteriorates as a ductus closes, an infection declares its (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric fever and serious bacterial illness - [Paediatric fever and serious bacterial illness (the febrile child in the emergency department)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-fever-and-serious-bacterial-illness) — The febrile child — the NICE traffic-light system (green low risk, amber intermediate, red high risk), the identification of the serious bacterial illness (the urinary tract infect (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric fluid and electrolyte management - [Paediatric fluid and electrolyte management](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-fluid-and-electrolyte-management) — Paediatric fluid and electrolyte management is four prescriptions held in one hand: maintenance, deficit, ongoing-loss, and the sodium-correction rate. Maintenance is the Holliday- (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric rashes and febrile illness - [Paediatric rashes and febrile illness](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-rashes-and-febrile-illness) — The febrile child with a rash is a high-stakes presentation because a small number of rashes signal time-critical disease while the majority are benign viral exanthems. The Fellows (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric respiratory distress - [Paediatric respiratory distress — croup, bronchiolitis and acute asthma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-respiratory-distress) — Paediatric respiratory distress — the three exam pillars of croup (subglottic viral oedema, inspiratory stridor, barking cough, dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg orally with nebulised adren (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric resuscitation - [The sick child and paediatric resuscitation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/the-sick-child-and-paediatric-resuscitation) — The sick child is any infant or child with actual or potential physiological failure, and paediatric resuscitation is the structured, weight-based response. Children differ from ad (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric sepsis and septic shock - [Paediatric sepsis and septic shock (the septic child in the emergency department)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-sepsis) — Paediatric sepsis is the dysregulated host response to infection producing life-threatening organ dysfunction, now defined (2024 Phoenix criteria) as suspected infection plus a Pho (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paediatric trauma - [Paediatric trauma — the modified approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paediatric-trauma) — Paediatric trauma — the different injury patterns (the larger head, the compliant chest, the less-protected abdominal organs), the physiological differences (the smaller blood volu (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Paracetamol poisoning - [Paracetamol poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paracetamol-poisoning) — Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose — the commonest cause of acute liver failure in the developed world, and a self-poisoning that is silent in the first 24 hours. The mechanism ( (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pelvic inflammatory disease - [Pelvic inflammatory disease](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pelvic-inflammatory-disease) — Pelvic inflammatory disease is the ascending infection of the upper female genital tract — endometritis progressing to salpingitis, oophoritis, parametritis and sometimes a tubo-ov (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pelvic trauma - [Pelvic trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/pelvic-trauma) — The pelvic ring fracture and its life-threatening haemorrhage: the Young and Burgess classification, the pelvic binder at the greater trochanters, the FAST and the CT angiogram, th (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-29) ### Perforated viscus - [Perforated viscus](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/perforated-viscus) — Perforated viscus — the full-thickness breach of a hollow abdominal organ releasing gas and contents into the peritoneal cavity, the perforated peptic ulcer (the sudden severe epig (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Peri-arrest arrhythmias - [Peri-arrest arrhythmias](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/peri-arrest-arrhythmias) — The peri-arrest arrhythmia algorithms: the stable-versus-unstable and broad-versus-narrow framework, the bradycardia and the tachycardia pathways, synchronised cardioversion versus (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-28) ### Pericardial tamponade - [Pericardial tamponade](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pericardial-tamponade) — Pericardial tamponade — the Beck triad of hypotension, a raised jugular venous pressure and muffled heart sounds, the preload-limited diastolic pathophysiology (why a nitrate or a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Plain radiograph interpretation (approach) - [X-ray interpretation in the emergency department — the systematic approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/x-ray-interpretation-ed) — The systematic approach to plain radiography for the emergency medicine trainee — the technical-quality check (projection, penetration, rotation, inspiration), the chest radiograph (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pleural effusion - [Pleural effusion (the emergency department workup and the Light criteria)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pleural-effusion) — Pleural effusion — the transudate-versus-exudate distinction by the Light criteria (the pleural fluid to serum protein ratio over 0.5, the LDH ratio over 0.6, the pleural fluid LDH (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pneumothorax - [Pneumothorax (including tension pneumothorax)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pneumothorax) — Pneumothorax — primary and secondary spontaneous, traumatic, iatrogenic, and tension. The one-way-valve pathophysiology of tension and why it kills, the clinical (not radiological) (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Post-cardiac arrest care - [Post-cardiac-arrest care](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/post-cardiac-arrest-care) — The post-ROSC bundle that determines neurological survival: the oxygen and the carbon-dioxide targets, the circulation and the reperfusion, the targeted-temperature evidence (TTM2: (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-28) ### Postpartum haemorrhage - [Postpartum haemorrhage](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/postpartum-haemorrhage) — The postpartum haemorrhage — the primary PPH (the blood loss over 500 mL within the 24 hours of the delivery, or the over 1000 mL after the Caesarean) and the secondary PPH (the bl (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Primary survey - [The primary survey (ABCDE) — the trauma assessment framework](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/primary-survey) — The primary survey — the ABCDE framework for the systematic, prioritised assessment of the trauma patient (Airway with cervical-spine control, Breathing with ventilation, Circulati (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Procedural & diagnostic ED skills - [Burn dressing and wound care in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/burn-dressing-and-wound-care) — Burn dressing and wound care in the ED — the burn-depth assessment (superficial, superficial dermal, deep dermal, full-thickness), the TBSA estimation by the rule of nines and the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Central and arterial line insertion in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/central-and-arterial-line-insertion) — Central and arterial line insertion in the ED — the indications (central venous access for vasopressors, TPN, long-term therapy, massive transfusion; arterial access for continuous (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Eye, ENT and dental procedures in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/eye-ent-and-dental-procedures) — The ED eye, ENT and dental procedures cluster — slit-lamp and fluorescein staining for the corneal abrasion, tonometry for the acute angle-closure glaucoma screen, corneal foreign- (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST and E-FAST)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/point-of-care-ultrasound-fast) — The FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma): the four views (the Morrison pouch or hepatorenal recess, the splenorenal recess, the pouch of Douglas or rectovesical spac (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Foreign body removal in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/foreign-body-removal) — Foreign body removal in the ED across the four anatomical compartments — the soft tissue FB (the wood splinter, the glass shard, the metal shaving, the needle), the ocular FB (the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Fracture and dislocation reduction in the ED](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/fracture-and-dislocation-reduction) — Closed reduction of the dislocations the emergency physician reduces in the ED — anterior and posterior shoulder, pulled elbow (nursemaid elbow), finger interphalangeal joints, and (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Front-of-neck access and the emergency surgical airway](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/front-of-neck-access-surgical-airway) — Front-of-neck access in the ED — the scalpel-bougie-tube cricothyroidotomy for the cannot-intubate, cannot-oxygenate (CICO) event. The indication is the declared CICO state after e (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Local anaesthesia and topical agents](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/local-anaesthesia-and-topical-agents) — Local anaesthesia and topical agents in the ED — the amide agents (lidocaine 3 mg/kg plain, 7 mg/kg with adrenaline; bupivacaine 2 mg/kg; ropivacaine 3 mg/kg; prilocaine, mepivacai (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Lumbar puncture in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/lumbar-puncture) — Lumbar puncture in the ED — the indications (suspected meningitis or encephalitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage after a negative CT, demyelinating disease — multiple sclerosis, CIDP, G (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Paracentesis and thoracentesis in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/paracentesis-and-thoracentesis) — Paracentesis and thoracentesis in the ED — the two percutaneous fluid taps the Fellowship candidate performs, teaches and defends. Paracentesis: the diagnostic ascitic tap (the ser (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Point-of-care ultrasound: aortic, lung and cardiac (the RUSH protocol)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pocus-aortic-lung-and-cardiac) — Bedside point-of-care ultrasound of the aorta, the lung and the heart for the critically ill patient — the aortic measurement (the abdominal aortic aneurysm is an outer-to-outer ao (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Point-of-care ultrasound: biliary and renal (and the incidental AAA)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pocus-biliary-and-renal) — Point-of-care ultrasound of the biliary tree, the kidneys and the incidental abdominal aortic aneurysm — the right-upper-quadrant scan for gallstones (hyperechoic with acoustic sha (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Procedural sedation in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/procedural-sedation-in-ed) — Procedural sedation in the ED — the indications (fracture reduction, dislocation reduction, abscess drainage, cardioversion, paediatric procedures), the pre-sedation assessment (fa (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Regional nerve blocks in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/regional-nerve-blocks-ed) — Regional nerve blocks in the ED — the fascia iliaca and femoral blocks for hip and femoral-shaft fracture analgesia (landmark and ultrasound-guided), the wrist block (median, ulnar (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Splinting and immobilisation in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/splinting-and-immobilisation) — Splinting and immobilisation in the ED — the governing principle (immobilise the joint above and below the fracture), the device set (plaster backslab for Colles and ankle, POP cyl (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Wound assessment and management](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/wound-assessment-and-management) — Wound assessment and management in the ED — the wound classes (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, dirty-infected) mapped to the mechanism classes (laceration, crush, bite, pu (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Wound closure and suturing techniques](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/wound-closure-suturing-techniques) — Wound closure and suturing techniques in the ED — the suture material choice (absorbable: catgut, Vicryl polyglactin, Monocryl poliglecaprone; versus non-absorbable: nylon Ethilon, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pulmonary embolism - [Pulmonary embolism (acute, in the emergency department)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pulmonary-embolism-ed) — Acute pulmonary embolism — the PE–DVT continuum and the Virchow risk factors, the right-ventricular-afterload pathophysiology that kills in massive PE, the Wells and PERC risk-stra (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Pulmonary oedema - [Pulmonary oedema](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/pulmonary-oedema) — The pulmonary oedema from the fluid in the alveolar interstitium through the CARDIOGENIC (the raised pulmonary capillary pressure from the left ventricular failure — the ischaemia (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Quality and ED metrics - [Quality and ED metrics — performance measurement, the four-hour target and quality improvement](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/quality-and-ed-metrics) — Quality and emergency department metrics — the Donabedian structure-process-outcome framework; the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT), the four-hour rule requiring 90 per cent (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Radiation and chemical exposure - [Radiation and chemical exposure](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/radiation-and-chemical-exposure) — Radiation and chemical exposure — the receiving-hospital side of a CBRN incident. The topic pairs two threats the Fellowship candidate must hold together: ionizing radiation, whose (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Raised intracranial pressure - [Raised intracranial pressure](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/raised-intracranial-pressure) — Raised intracranial pressure is the syndrome of the cranial contents exceeding the compensatory reserve of the rigid skull — the Monro-Kelly doctrine and the compliance curve, the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Recognition of deterioration (track and trigger) - [Recognition of deterioration: track-and-trigger and early-warning scores](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/recognition-of-deterioration-track-and-trigger) — Recognising the deteriorating patient before arrest: the antecedents of in-hospital cardiac arrest, the physiology of compensation and decompensation, the three types of track-and- (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Red-flag headache - [Red-flag headache (approach)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/red-flag-headache-approach) — The red-flag headache approach — the structured identification of the dangerous secondary causes of the headache (the SNNOOPS/SNNOPT10 mnemonic); the thunderclap (the SAH), the fev (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Renal colic and nephrolithiasis - [Renal colic and nephrolithiasis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/renal-colic-and-nephrolithiasis) — Renal colic — the acute ureteric obstruction by a stone producing severe colicky flank pain radiating to the groin, with nausea, vomiting and haematuria; investigated by urinalysis (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Research, EBM and biostatistics - [Research, evidence-based medicine and biostatistics — appraising and applying evidence at the bedside](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/research-ebm-and-biostatistics) — Research, evidence-based medicine and biostatistics — Sackett's definition of evidence-based medicine as the integration of best research evidence, clinical expertise and patient v (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Respiratory failure (type 1 & 2) - [Respiratory failure (type 1 and type 2)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/respiratory-failure-type-1-and-2) — Respiratory failure — the type 1 (hypoxaemic) and type 2 (hypercapnic) classification from the arterial blood gas, the oxygen targets (94 to 98 per cent for most, 88 to 92 per cent (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Resuscitation - [Fluid resuscitation in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/fluid-resuscitation-em) — Fluid resuscitation — the rapid restoration of the circulating volume to reverse tissue hypoperfusion; the fluid types (crystalloid vs colloid, balanced vs saline), the fluid-respo (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Resuscitation team leadership & CRM - [Resuscitation team leadership and crisis resource management](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/resuscitation-team-leadership-and-crm) — The non-technical skills of the resuscitation: crisis resource management, the allocated team roles, the standing-back team leader, the closed-loop communication and the structured (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Rural & retrieval trauma - [Rural and retrieval trauma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/rural-and-retrieval-trauma) — The rural and retrieval trauma: the challenges of the remote setting, the prolonged time to the definitive care, the aeromedical retrieval principles, the damage control at the rur (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### Secondary survey - [Secondary survey](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/secondary-survey) — The ATLS secondary survey — the head-to-toe examination of the stable trauma patient, the AMPLE history, the clinical decision rules for the head CT (the Canadian CT Head Rule) and (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Seizures and first fit - [Seizures and the first fit](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/seizures-and-first-fit) — The first seizure in the emergency department — the operational definition (an epileptic seizure, ILAE 2014 definition of epilepsy: two unprovoked seizures over 24 hours apart, or (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Sepsis and septic shock (approach) - [Sepsis and septic shock — the emergency department approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/sepsis-ed-approach) — Sepsis is the life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, defined by Sepsis-3 as suspected infection with an acute rise in the SOFA scor (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Septic shock in the ED - [Septic shock in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/septic-shock-in-ed) — Septic shock as infection complicated by a dysregulated host response and circulatory failure: the Sepsis-3 definitions and qSOFA, the pathophysiology, the time-critical principle, (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-06-28) ### Sexual assault and intimate partner violence - [Sexual assault and intimate partner violence in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/sexual-assault-and-intimate-partner-violence) — Sexual assault and intimate partner violence in the emergency department — the trauma-informed approach that governs the entire encounter, the patient-centred consent that runs thr (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Shock - [Shock states — the recognition and the approach](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/resuscitation/shock-states-recognition-and-approach) — Shock — the definition (the inadequate tissue perfusion and the cellular hypoxia); the four patterns by the haemodynamics (the hypovolaemic, the distributive, the cardiogenic, the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-01) ### Spinal cord compression - [Spinal cord compression](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/spinal-cord-compression) — Spinal cord compression — the time-critical neurological emergency from the extrinsic compression of the spinal cord by the tumour, the disc, the abscess or the haematoma; the clin (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Status epilepticus - [Status epilepticus](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/status-epilepticus) — Status epilepticus — a continuous seizure lasting over 5 minutes, or recurrent seizures without recovery of consciousness, stratified into early (0-5 min), established (5-30 min) a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Subarachnoid haemorrhage - [Subarachnoid haemorrhage](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/subarachnoid-haemorrhage) — Subarachnoid haemorrhage — the non-traumatic bleeding into the subarachnoid space, usually from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm; the thunderclap headache (the worst headache of my (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Subdural and extradural haematoma - [Subdural and extradural haematoma](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/subdural-and-extradural-haematoma) — Subdural and extradural haematoma — the two extra-axial traumatic collections distinguished by anatomy, source, and tempo. Extradural (epidural) haematoma: arterial bleed from the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Syncope (approach) - [Syncope — the emergency department approach and risk stratification](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/syncope-approach) — Syncope — the transient loss of consciousness from the cerebral hypoperfusion, the classification (the reflex, the orthostatic, the cardiac, the cerebrovascular), the critical card (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Tachyarrhythmias - [Tachyarrhythmias in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/tachyarrhythmias-ed) — The ED tachyarrhythmias — the stability-first algorithm, the narrow-versus-broad-complex (QRS 120 ms) decision, the management of a regular narrow-complex SVT (vagal manoeuvres the (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Teaching, supervision and feedback - [Teaching, supervision and feedback in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/teaching-supervision-and-feedback) — Teaching, supervision and feedback in the emergency department — the clinical teacher’s core toolkit and the Fellowship Scholar domain. Bedside teaching models: the one-minute prec (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Team-based care and CRM - [Team-based care and crisis resource management in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/team-based-care-and-crm) — Team-based care and crisis resource management (CRM) in the emergency department — the non-technical skills (leadership, communication, situational awareness, decision-making, reso (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Testicular torsion - [Testicular torsion](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/testicular-torsion) — The testicular torsion — the twisting of the spermatic cord on its longitudinal axis that obstructs the venous return and then the arterial supply, producing the testicular ischaem (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### The anticoagulated trauma patient - [The anticoagulated trauma patient](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma/anticoagulated-trauma-patient) — The anticoagulated trauma patient: the reversal of the warfarin (the PCC and the vitamin K), the DOACs (the dabigatran with the idarucizumab, the apixaban and the rivaroxaban with (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-02) ### The deadly ECG patterns - [The deadly ECG patterns — the emergency department recognition and immediate management](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/ecg-the-deadly-patterns) — The emergency department ECG patterns that immediately change disposition or trigger an antidote — the STEMI territories (anterior, inferior, lateral, posterior, right ventricular) (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Toxicology and environmental emergencies - [Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal (emergency department recognition and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/alcohol-and-benzodiazepine-withdrawal) — ACEM emergency-department approach to alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal: GABA-glutamate pathophysiology, staged clinical presentation through to delirium tremens, CIWA-Ar-guide (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Bites and stings](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/bites-and-stings) — Bites and stings common to the Australasian emergency department — mammalian bites (dog, cat, human), insect stings (bee and wasp), and stingray puncture injuries. Cat and dog bite (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Iron poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/iron-poisoning) — Iron poisoning — the heavy-metal overdose whose lethality rides on a single pharmacological concept: the body has no excretory route for free iron, so any dose that overwhelms tran (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Lithium poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/lithium-poisoning) — Lithium poisoning — the narrow-therapeutic-index cation handled entirely by the kidney, presenting in two distinct patterns. Acute overdose produces early gastrointestinal upset (n (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Opioid poisoning and the opioid toxidrome (emergency department diagnosis and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/opioid-poisoning-and-toxidrome) — Opioid poisoning — the classic toxidrome of central nervous system depression, pin-point pupils (miosis) and respiratory depression (a reduced respiratory rate AND depth), caused b (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Salicylate poisoning](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/salicylate-poisoning) — Salicylate (aspirin) poisoning — the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (fever, hypermetabolism), the direct stimulation of the respiratory centre (respiratory alkalosis), and (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Snake envenomation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/snake-envenomation) — ANZ snake envenomation — elapid bites from the brown snake, tiger snake, taipan, death adder, mulga/black snake and rough-scaled snake. The four venom syndromes are venom-induced c (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Spider and marine envenomation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/spider-and-marine-envenomation) — ANZ spider and marine envenomation — five syndromes the Fellowship candidate must hold as patterns. Latrodectism (red-back) is sustained painful muscle contraction with regional di (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Toxic alcohol poisoning (methanol and ethylene glycol)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/toxic-alcohols-methanol-ethylene-glycol) — Toxic alcohol poisoning — methanol (windshield washer, illicit spirits) and ethylene glycol (antifreeze) are small alcohols metabolised by alcohol dehydrogenase to the acids that d (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) - [Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning (emergency department diagnosis and management)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/tricyclic-antidepressant-poisoning) — Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning — the fast sodium-channel blockade of the myocardium (the QRS over 100 ms, the right-axis deviation of the terminal R wave in aVR, the tachycardi (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Toxicology and environmental emergencies (approach) - [The toxidrome approach and the general management of the poisoned patient](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/toxidrome-approach-and-general-management) — The systematic recognition of the poisoning syndrome from the constellation of signs, and the general management of the poisoned patient. The seven toxidromes are covered in full — (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Transient ischaemic attack - [Transient ischaemic attack](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/transient-ischaemic-attack) — Transient ischaemic attack — a transient episode of focal neurological dysfunction from brain, spinal cord or retinal ischaemia WITHOUT infarction (the tissue-based definition); an (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Trauma in pregnancy - [Trauma in pregnancy](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma-in-pregnancy) — The trauma in pregnancy: the physiological changes that alter the response to the injury, the primary survey modifications (the left lateral tilt and the foetal assessment), the pl (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Trauma team leadership - [Trauma team leadership](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/trauma-team-leadership) — The trauma team activation, composition and leadership: the pre-arrival briefing, the paramedic MIST handover, the allocated roles, the standing-back team leader who directs the pr (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Traumatic brain injury - [Traumatic brain injury](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/traumatic-brain-injury-ed) — The traumatic brain injury from the primary impact through the preventable secondary injury, the GCS severity classification, the emergency management that protects the brain from (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Tuberculosis - [Tuberculosis (ED)](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/tuberculosis-ed) — The tuberculosis from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis through the primary and the reactivation (the secondary), the risk factors (the HIV, the immunosuppression, the malnutrition, t (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Upper airway obstruction - [Upper airway obstruction in the emergency department](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/upper-airway-obstruction) — Upper airway obstruction — the stridor and drooling presentations, the infectious causes (epiglottitis, retropharyngeal abscess, Ludwig's angina, croup) and the non-infectious (ang (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Upper gastrointestinal bleed - [Upper gastrointestinal bleed](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/upper-gi-bleed) — The upper gastrointestinal bleed — the haemorrhage proximal to the ligament of Treitz, divided into the variceal (the oesophageal and gastric varices of the portal hypertension) an (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Vasoactive drugs in resuscitation - [Vasoactive drugs in resuscitation](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/vasoactive-drugs-in-resuscitation) — Vasoactive drugs in resuscitation — the receptor pharmacology that decides which agent to reach for (noradrenaline alpha-greater-than-beta is the first-line vasopressor of septic a (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ### Vertigo and dizziness - [Vertigo and dizziness](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/topics/vertigo-and-dizziness) — Vertigo and dizziness — the central-versus-peripheral distinction as the load-bearing decision, the HINTS examination (Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew) for stroke in the acut (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-26) ## SAQs (3) ### Research, EBM and biostatistics - [Critical appraisal of a trial abstract — PICO, validity, effect size and applicability](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/saqs/research-ebm-and-biostatistics-saq) — An ACEM-style SAQ on the critical appraisal of a randomised controlled trial abstract — PICO formulation, internal validity (allocation concealment, blinding, follow-up, intention (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-01) ### Salicylate poisoning - [Acute salicylate overdose — acid-base, bicarb, dialysis](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/saqs/salicylate-poisoning-saq) — ACEM SAQ on mixed acid-base salicylate toxicity, urine alkalinisation and EXTRIP. (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM; updated=2026-07-09) ### Teaching, supervision and feedback - [Teach a skill, give feedback and calibrate supervision — the bedside teaching encounter](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/saqs/teaching-supervision-and-feedback-saq) — An ACEM-style SAQ on Peyton's four-stage approach to teaching a practical skill, R2C2 feedback, and the entrustable professional activity entrustment decision in the emergency depa (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-01) ## Cases (1) ### Primary survey - [Blunt polytrauma primary survey — ABCDE resus station](https://medvellum.com/s/emergency-medicine/cases/primary-survey-resus) — ACEM Fellowship OSCE resus station testing catastrophic haemorrhage control before airway, tension/breathing threats, damage-control circulation with TXA, and iterative primary sur (exams=ACEM,FRCEM,ABEM,FRCPC,CCFPEM,EBEEM; updated=2026-07-10)