Paucis Verbis card: Pediatric weight-based reference (5-34 kg)

The foundation in any pediatric resuscitation is the length-based estimation of the patient’s lean body weight. Once determined, equipments and medications are sized and dosed, respectively, according to that weight. You can use electronic resources such as PEMSoft (Pediatric Emergency Medicine Software) or the more traditional paper-based Broselow tape.

If you have neither of these at your easy disposal, I thought I would create a multi-card reference which works best in electronic pdf form on your mobile device. Even if you DO have other available references, it’s still nice to have some redundant back-up sources just in case.

This data was collected by merging data from the Broselow tape and PEMSoft.

I created 30 individual cards for patients weighing between 5 kg and 34 kg.
I didn’t include whether endotracheal tubes should be cuffed or uncuffed. This is controversial currently. The traditional teaching is that patients younger than 8 years old should receive UNcuffed tubes.
D10W glucose should be given in patients younger than 1 year old. D25W glucose should be given for patients 1-2 years old. D50W glucose can be given to patients 2 years and older.
Please use these cards with caution. I’ve proof-read these cards multiple times, but there still may be some typos. Please let me know if you see any discrepancies.

PV Card: Pediatric Weight-Based Resuscitation Reference

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Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-17T09:30:51-07:00Oct 22, 2010|ALiEM Cards, Pediatrics|

Practicing Judo in the ED: Secret to success

OK, you don’t actually practice Judo in the Emergency Department, but the principles in Judo are interestingly relevant in approaching our work in the ED.

Thanks to Garr Reynolds of Presentation Zen fame for introducing me to the 7 rules of judo practice by the great Judo master Kyuzo Mifune. In his blog post, Garr specifically talks about how these rules are relevant in the realms of leadership and public speaking.

These rules in fact are extremely relevant when you are a senior EM resident or an EM attending. These 7 simple rules really are the heart of maintaining respect, calm, and efficiency in the ED.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:24-08:00Oct 21, 2010|Medical Education|

Trick of the trade: Face mask ventilation in edentulous patients

Can you imagine trying to bag-valve-mask ventilating this patient without teeth?

Edentulous patients can cause BVM problems because air tends to leak out the sides of the mouth, because the cheeks don’t contact the mask as well. You can do a jaw-thrust and/or place an oropharyngeal airway to help. What else can you do?

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:24-08:00Oct 20, 2010|Tricks of the Trade|

Retinal detachment on ultrasound

I just wanted to revisit the Trick of using bedside ultrasonography to diagnose retinal detachments. Be sure to use plenty of ultrasound gel and use the linear tranducer.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T23:21:35-08:00Oct 19, 2010|Ophthalmology, Tricks of the Trade, Ultrasound|

Paucis Verbis card: C3-C7 spinal fractures

$Fig9E Fx FlexTear anatomy cervical spine fracture$

This is the second Paucis Verbis card on cervical spine fractures. Part 1 covered C1 and C2 fractures. This card covers the lower cervical spine fractures. These two tables are part of my chapter on “Spine and Spinal Cord Injury” in the textbook Emergency Medicine by Dr. Jim Adams (Northwestern EM Chair).

PV Card: C3-C7 Fractures and Injuries

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Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-18T09:59:44-07:00Oct 8, 2010|ALiEM Cards, Orthopedic|

Life of an Attending: Is this or will this be you?

Thanks to one of our residents, Hangyul, I just recently learned about a hilarious comic strip series called Scutmonkey Comics in the blog The Underwear Drawer. It is side-splitting funny.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:25-08:00Oct 7, 2010|Medical Education|

Trick of the trade: Discounted medications at pharmacies

Many times, patients who we deem as “noncompliant” with medications may actually be financially unable to afford medications that we prescribe them. Thanks to Amy Kinard, I just learned about this great new website where you can find pharmacies with amazing discounts for common medications.