Welcome to this month’s What’s Your Diagnosis Challenge!
But before we begin, check to see if you got the previous case on Sodium Disorders in the Emergency Department: A Review of Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia correct.
Case Presentation: Emergency Department Management of Patients With Complications of Chronic Neurologic Disease
A 68-year-old man with a history of Parkinson disease presents by EMS to the ED with chest pain…
- The patient was given an aspirin by EMS, but he said he missed his routine morning medications.
- His Parkinson disease is managed with carbidopa/levodopa 25 mg/100 mg orally 3 times daily. His initial vital signs are: temperature, 37°C; heart rate, 88 beats/min; blood pressure, 130/80 mm Hg; and oxygen saturation, 98% on room air.
- He has had 2 electrocardiograms, and both were normal sinus rhythm with no signs of ischemia.
- The patient has been waiting in the ED for 8 hours for the results of a second troponin test. He attempts to stand, using his cane, but he falls and sustains a subdural hematoma. Risk management contacts you and inquires whether this adverse event was preventable…
Make your best guess, and check back next month to find out the correct answer!
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