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Necessary or Nonsense: Screening for the Suicidal Patient Pt. 2

Across a wide variety of practice environments, the concept of medically screening a patient who presents with suicidal ideation is often a source of friction between the emergency department and psychiatry. In theory, a medical screening exam would help the ED team identify acute medical conditions in patients with co-existing psychiatric pathology, but in reality, local guidelines and protocols can lead to extensive and often unnecessary...

Matthew DeLaney, MD
By Matthew DeLaney, MD on
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Dang It, Dengue!

Dengue fever has been on the rise all over the world, with more cases than usual in many countries, including the United States. 2024 was a “banner year” for dengue, with up to 400 million cases worldwide and up to a 2000% increase in cases in different regions compared to the year beforehand. While most cases are mild, severe cases of dengue fever can lead to death. It’s important for front-line clinicians who see sick patients in...

Neda Frayha, MD
By Neda Frayha, MD on
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Understanding Sialolithiasis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What is sialolithiasis?

Kelly Heidepriem, MD
By Kelly Heidepriem, MD on
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Pain and Anxiety Management with IUD Placement: What’s In, What’s Out

IUD insertions have long been known to cause pain, with some patients describing the experience as extremely uncomfortable or even traumatic. Until recently, pain management for this procedure didn’t receive much attention, but that’s starting to change.

Matt Zeitler, MD
By Matt Zeitler, MD on
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The Importance and Challenge of Meeting Pharmacology Continuing Education Requirements for Nurse Practitioners

As nurse practitioners (NPs), prescribing medications is a central part of our daily practice. To maintain high standards of patient care, continuing education in pharmacology is not just recommended but mandatory. However, staying up-to-date with the latest pharmacological guidelines and advancements presents its own set of challenges. Fortunately, new resources like Hippo Education’s Practical Pharmacology: An Outpatient Audio Course are...

Katy Vogelaar, FNP-C
By Katy Vogelaar, FNP-C on
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When Little Lungs Meet a Big Problem: Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Unfortunately, my son was part of the initial Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak that hit in the fall of 2023. We had just returned from a family cruise – bringing back more than just souvenirs. While most of my family tested positive for COVID post-cruise, my son kept testing negative. However, his cough and fever lingered just enough to keep my PA instincts and Mom Radar on high alert. Let’s dive into reviewing a condition that has made an...

Erin Pressley, PA-C
By Erin Pressley, PA-C on
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Toe Walking in Toddlers

Toe walking in toddlers is often seen as part of their learning process and, at times, even considered charming. Who doesn’t love a toddler ballerina on their tiptoes? It’s estimated that up to 5% of toddlers walk on their tippy toes, with some studies reporting rates as high as 24%. But as pediatricians, it’s our job to determine when toe walking is part of typical development and when it requires further investigation. 

Liza Mackintosh, MD
By Liza Mackintosh, MD on
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Necessary or Nonsense: Screening for the Suicidal Patient

Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 48,183 lives in 2021 alone—equivalent to one life lost every 11 minutes. For us, as clinicians, suicide prevention starts in our emergency department, where at-risk individuals often seek help in the days or weeks leading up to a suicide attempt. Unfortunately, in the ED, the opportunity to screen for suicide risk can be overlooked due to high patient values,...

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Potty Training: Practical Guidance for Clinicians

Today, we tackle the topic of potty training, an important milestone in child development that often raises questions for parents. As clinicians, we're well-positioned to offer valuable guidance and support to families embarking on this journey. Let’s explore some practical tips to assist families in navigating toilet training with confidence.

Micaela Bowers, MD
By Micaela Bowers, MD on
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The ABCs of Early Dyslexia Screening: what the AAP wants you to know

Did you know you can screen for dyslexia as early as age four? Yes, you read that right. If your gut instinct is to say, “Ummm, that’s a reading disorder, and most four-year-olds don’t know how to read, so that makes no sense!” you’re not alone. 

Karen Hovav, MD
By Karen Hovav, MD on
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Acute Mountain Sickness

The headache felt like my skull was splitting in half.

Geoff Comp, DO
By Geoff Comp, DO on
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Are the PANRE-LA Emergent Topic Questions Causing You Emerging Anxiety?

On the PANRE-LA topic blueprint, NCCPA lists “Emergent Topics” as 2% of the exam. For many exam takers, these questions are causing headaches due to the lack of  clear guidance on what will be covered. NCCPA lists “Legal, Ethical, DEI” on the blueprint, but no one knows the exact questions, and the specifics can’t be shared. Let’s dive a bit deeper into these three topics to help ease your anxiety and prepare you for whatever might come up.

Katie Iverson, PA-C
By Katie Iverson, PA-C on
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