Home › Conditions
Every condition
136 pathways, each a step-by-step plan with doses and escalation points.
Anaesthetics
Laryngectomy EmergencyAfter a laryngectomy there is NO connection between the mouth and…Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST)You will infiltrate local anaesthetic for sutures, drains, lines…Post-op Hypoxia & Opioid ToxicityThe commonest thing you will actually be bleeped about from this…Tracheostomy EmergencyA patent upper airway is what separates this from a laryngectomy…
Cardiology
Acute Coronary Syndrome — STEMISTEMI is defined by ST elevation ≥1mm in ≥2 contiguous limb…Acute Heart Failure / Pulmonary OedemaAcute HF presents with breathlessness, orthopnoea, fine…Aortic DissectionAortic dissection: intimal tear with blood entering the media…Atrial Fibrillation — Fast Ventricular RateIn AF with rapid ventricular rate, first assess haemodynamic…Bradyarrhythmia / Complete Heart BlockSymptomatic bradycardia: HR <60 with haemodynamic compromise…Broad Complex Tachycardia / Ventricular TachycardiaA broad complex tachycardia (QRS >120ms, rate >100) is VT until…Cardiogenic Shock & TamponadeCardiogenic shock = SBP <90 + hypoperfusion (cold, oliguria…Deep Vein ThrombosisTwo-level Wells score first: ≥2 (likely) → proximal leg vein US…Hypertensive EmergencyA hypertensive emergency is severely elevated BP (typically…Infective EndocarditisInfection of a valve, the endocardium or an intracardiac device…NSTEMI / Unstable AnginaNSTEMI is ACS with troponin rise but no persistent ST elevation…Pericarditis & MyocarditisInflammation of the pericardium, the myocardium, or both — most…Pulmonary EmbolismRisk stratify using the Wells PE score. Score >4: PE likely…Severe Aortic StenosisFixed obstruction to left ventricular outflow. A chronic disease…Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)SVT is a narrow complex tachycardia (usually QRS <120ms) with…Vasovagal SyncopeReflex bradycardia and vasodilatation causing a brief loss of…
Dermatology
DRESSDrug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. A…ErythrodermaErythroderma = >90% body surface inflamed — the skin fails as an…ScabiesMite infestation causing ferocious itch, characteristically worse…Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / TENSJS/TEN = drug-induced epidermal necrosis: painful dusky rash…
Emergency
Accidental HypothermiaStage: mild 32–35°C, moderate 28–32°C (shivering stops), severe…AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalised…AngioedemaDeep swelling of the lips, tongue, face or airway. Management…Carbon Monoxide PoisoningWhole household ill together, better away from home = CO until…In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / ALSCardiac arrest requires immediate CPR and defibrillation for…Major BurnAirway first — inhalation injury means intubate early before…Paracetamol OverdoseParacetamol (acetaminophen) OD causes hepatic necrosis via NAPQI…Sepsis / Septic ShockSepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a…Unresponsive Patient — Unknown CauseThe unresponsive or rapidly deteriorating patient is a common and…
Endocrine
Addisonian CrisisAdrenal crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by acute…Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)DKA is defined by the triad: glucose >11mmol/L (or known DM)…HypercalcaemiaHypercalcaemia: adjusted calcium >2.6 mmol/L. Mild <3.0 (often…Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)HHS is a hyperglycaemic emergency in type 2 diabetes…HypoglycaemiaHypoglycaemia = BM <4.0 mmol/L. Mild: symptomatic but conscious…Thyroid Storm (Thyrotoxic Crisis)Thyroid storm is a life-threatening decompensation of…
Ent
Acute Stridor (Adult)Stridor means critical upper airway narrowing — by the time it is…Severe EpistaxisMost epistaxis arises from Little's area and stops with correct…
Gastro
Acute Liver Failure / Decompensated Liver DiseaseAcute liver failure (ALF) = coagulopathy (INR >1.5) +…Acute PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis: epigastric pain radiating to back, elevated…Acute Severe Ulcerative ColitisTruelove & Witts: ≥6 bloody stools/day + any systemic feature =…Ascending CholangitisAscending cholangitis: bacterial infection of the biliary tree…Lower GI HaemorrhageLower GI bleeding originates below the ligament of Treitz. Common…Upper GI HaemorrhageUpper GI bleeding (above ligament of Treitz) presents as…
Geriatrics
Acute Confusion / DeliriumDelirium: acute onset confusion with fluctuating course…Inpatient FallA fall is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Structured response: injury…Parkinson's — NBM / Missed DosesParkinson's medication is time-critical — doses within 30 minutes…
Haematology
Acute Transfusion ReactionTransfusion reactions range from mild febrile reactions to…Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)DIC is a consumptive coagulopathy characterised by simultaneous…Major Haemorrhage on AnticoagulationLife-threatening bleeding on anticoagulation requires immediate…Sickle Cell CrisisSickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis requires rapid analgesia…ThrombocytopeniaA low platelet count from reduced production, increased…Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (TTP)TTP is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by ADAMTS13 activity…
Infectious_diseases
C. difficile ColitisHospital diarrhoea after antibiotics (4 Cs: ciprofloxacin…Fever in the Returning TravellerFever + travel to a malarious area = falciparum malaria until…Line & Catheter InfectionInfection tracking along a vascular access device or a urinary…
Neurology
Acute Ischaemic StrokeTime is brain — 1.9 million neurons die every minute in acute…Alcohol Withdrawal SyndromeAlcohol withdrawal begins 6–24 hours after last drink. Minor…Bacterial Meningitis / Meningococcal DiseaseBacterial meningitis is a medical emergency with a mortality of…Cauda Equina SyndromeCES = compression of the cauda equina (usually large central disc…Convulsive Status EpilepticusStatus epilepticus is seizure activity lasting >5 minutes, or…Encephalitis (HSV and Autoimmune)Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma presenting…Guillain-Barré SyndromeAcute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy: ascending symmetrical…Malignant Spinal Cord CompressionMSCC is compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina by tumour…MigraineRecurrent moderate-to-severe headache, often unilateral and…Myasthenic CrisisMyasthenia gravis is antibody-mediated failure of neuromuscular…Spinal Epidural AbscessPus in the epidural space compressing the cord. The classic triad…Subarachnoid HaemorrhageSpontaneous SAH is 5% of all strokes and is the headache you…Traumatic Head InjuryHead injury ranges from minor (GCS 14–15, no LOC) to severe (GCS…
Og
Cord ProlapseCord prolapse complicates 0.1–0.6% of deliveries and is an…Ectopic PregnancyEctopic pregnancy occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies, implanting most…Hyperemesis GravidarumHyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affects 0.3–2% of pregnancies…Maternal Sepsis (pregnancy and postpartum)Sepsis during pregnancy, birth, after abortion, or up to 6 weeks…Miscarriage ManagementMiscarriage affects 1 in 5 pregnancies. Management options are…Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)PPH is defined as blood loss ≥500ml after vaginal delivery…Pre-eclampsia & EclampsiaPre-eclampsia is hypertension (≥140/90) after 20 weeks with…
Oncology
Brain MetastasesBrain metastases occur in 20–40% of patients with systemic cancer…Neutropenic SepsisNeutropenic sepsis is a medical emergency in patients with…Superior Vena Cava Obstruction (SVCO)Superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) causes progressive facial…Tumour Lysis Syndrome (TLS)Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) results from rapid malignant cell…
Ophthalmology
Acute Angle-Closure GlaucomaAACG = acute pupil block closing the drainage angle, IOP often…Orbital CellulitisOrbital (post-septal) cellulitis — usually from ethmoid sinusitis…
Orthopaedics
Acute Compartment SyndromeAcute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency caused by…Neck of Femur (NOF) FractureNOF fracture presents with a shortened, externally rotated leg…Open FractureOpen fractures are classified by Gustilo-Anderson: Grade I (<1cm…Septic ArthritisSeptic arthritis is a joint emergency — untreated, it causes…
Paeds
Bacterial Meningitis (Paediatric)Bacterial meningitis remains a medical emergency with high…BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection…Croup (Viral Laryngotracheobronchitis)Croup is caused by parainfluenza virus causing subglottic oedema…Febrile Convulsion / Paediatric Status EpilepticusFebrile convulsions affect 3% of children aged 6 months–5 years…Neonatal Jaundice (Hyperbilirubinaemia)Neonatal jaundice affects 60% of term and 80% of preterm…Paediatric DKAPaediatric DKA management differs critically from adults — fluid…Paediatric SepsisSepsis in children differs from adults — normal vital signs vary…Safeguarding / Non-Accidental InjurySafeguarding concerns must be raised whenever a child's safety or…
Palliative
End-of-Life Symptom ControlRecognising dying pivots care to comfort: stop non-beneficial…Opioid Toxicity & Safe ConversionToxicity triad: drowsiness + pinpoint pupils + RR <8. Renal…
Psychiatry
Acute PsychosisAcute psychosis requires organic causes to be excluded first…Deliberate Self-HarmDeliberate self-harm (DSH) requires medical stabilisation as the…Mental Capacity AssessmentThe Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) presumes all adults have…
Renal
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI is defined by KDIGO criteria: creatinine rise ≥26 μmol/L in…Glomerulonephritis & VasculitisAn AKI that is not pre-renal and not obstructed. The finding that…HyperkalaemiaHyperkalaemia (K+ >5.5 mmol/L) is a medical emergency above K+…HyponatraemiaHyponatraemia (Na+ <135) is the commonest electrolyte disorder…RhabdomyolysisDipstick 'blood' positive with no RBCs on microscopy =…
Respiratory
Acute AsthmaSeverity is classified by PEFR, SpO₂, RR, HR and ability to…Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)CAP severity is assessed with clinical judgement plus CURB-65…Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)Pneumonia developing 48 hours or more after admission, or in…Infective Exacerbation of COPDTarget SpO₂ 88–92% via Venturi in known/suspected chronic type 2…Massive HaemoptysisBlood coughed from the airway. Most haemoptysis is small-volume…Pleural Effusion & EmpyemaEffusion + ongoing sepsis after pneumonia = sample the fluid…PneumothoraxPneumothorax: air in the pleural space. Primary spontaneous (PSP)…Type 1 Respiratory FailureT1RF = PaO2 <8 with normal/low CO2 — an oxygenation problem (V/Q…Type 2 Respiratory Failure (Hypercapnic)Type 2 respiratory failure: hypoxaemia (PaO₂ <8kPa) + hypercapnia…
Rheumatology
Acute GoutAny acute hot joint is septic arthritis until proven otherwise…Giant Cell ArteritisGCA — large-vessel vasculitis in >50s: new headache, scalp…
Surgery
Acute AppendicitisAcute appendicitis is the commonest surgical emergency; diagnosis…Acute CholecystitisAcute cholecystitis is defined by Murphy's sign, fever, RUQ pain…Acute DiverticulitisInflammation of colonic diverticula, usually in the sigmoid…Acute Limb IschaemiaAcute limb ischaemia is defined by the 6 Ps: Pain, Pallor…Acute Mesenteric IschaemiaInterruption of the mesenteric blood supply — embolic…Bowel ObstructionBowel obstruction: mechanical blockage causing colicky abdominal…Necrotising FasciitisA rapidly spreading infection of fascia and subcutaneous tissue…Oesophageal Rupture (Boerhaave)A full-thickness tear of the oesophagus, classically after…Perforated Peptic UlcerPerforated peptic ulcer presents with sudden-onset epigastric…Post-Operative HaemorrhageReactionary haemorrhage (<24h post-op) results from vessel slip…Rib Fractures / Blunt Chest Wall TraumaThe fracture is not the problem; the breathing is. Pain splints…Ruptured / Leaking Abdominal Aortic AneurysmRuptured AAA has a prehospital mortality of ~50% and 30-day…
Urology
Acute Urinary RetentionAcute urinary retention (AUR) requires immediate catheterisation…Pyelonephritis & UTIInfection of one or both kidneys, usually ascending from the…Renal ColicRenal colic presents as severe loin-to-groin colicky pain ±…Testicular TorsionTesticular torsion is a surgical emergency with time-critical…UrosepsisUrosepsis is a UTI causing systemic sepsis. Obstructive urosepsis…Visible HaematuriaPainless visible haematuria must be treated as bladder cancer…