Exam Material

Taking a sexual history in the emergency department requires privacy, sensitive language and a willingness to question assumptions. Janos Baombe explores communication, confidentiality, relevant medical and social history, specialist support and follow-up, with particular attention to patients who may have experienced sexual assault.

Does therapeutic hypothermia improve outcomes after cardiac arrest in children? This 2015 journal club examines a trial comparing cooling with active temperature control after out-of-hospital arrest, exploring neurological outcomes, confidence intervals, study limitations and why a non-significant result does not establish that two treatments are equivalent.

This 2015 journal club examines a trial comparing intravenous lorazepam and diazepam for children with convulsive status epilepticus. Alongside seizure control and adverse effects, the appraisal explores blinding, per-protocol analysis and why failing to demonstrate superiority does not prove that the treatments are equivalent.

Does improving an acid–base measurement demonstrate that a resuscitation fluid is better for patients? This 2014 journal club examines a small trial comparing Plasma-Lyte with saline in major trauma, exploring surrogate outcomes, fluid volumes and why the findings could not establish a benefit in patient-centred outcomes.

Why can acute dystonia be mistaken for anaphylaxis, anxiety or neurological disease? This 2014 clinical review explores varied presentations, medication-related causes and diagnostic anchoring, alongside treatment considerations and the importance of reconsidering the diagnosis when the picture does not fit.

Why were so many trainees struggling to pass FCEM? Writing in 2013, Simon Carley examines pass rates, training pressures and the structure of the examination, using a probability model to question how separate compulsory components affect candidates’ chances of success.