CLINICAL PEARLS FOR EMERGENCY DEPT DOCTORS
CLINICAL PEARLS FOR EMERGENCY DEPT DOCTORS Nephrolithiasis The acute presentation of nephrolithiasis resembles other pathologies; the correct studies and appropriate interpretation of laboratory data will help to establish the diagnosis. Any patient with severe nausea, vomiting, fever, or signs of infection should be hospitalized. Adequate pain control for patients with suspected nephrolithiasis is a priority even before all test results return. All urine should be strained to confirm the diagnosis and for the stone composition to be discerned. The absence of pain does not mean follow-up is unnecessary. Identifying the etiology of stone formation is important to prevent a recurrence. Streptococcal Pharyngitis (“Strep Throat”) The most common cause of pharyngitis is viral. The Centor criteria suggestive of GABS pharyngitis include tonsillar exudate, tender anterior cervical adenopathy, history of fever, and absence of cough. GABS pharyngitis is more common in patients younge