How to Solve Complex Triple Acid-Base Problems Quickly in Your Head

Suppose an afebrile, atraumatic 26-year-old male with no past medical history presents with altered mental status, vomiting and vertigo. Physical examination is positive for somnolence and tachypnea only.   Relevant … Continue Reading →

The Intellectually Frugal DIC Workup

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is commonly seen in patients with severe physiologic stressors. It can effectively be ruled in or out with the following straightforward workup: Proof of the existence of … Continue Reading →

How to Spot a Falsely Normal Anion Gap

A high anion gap metabolic acidosis can be a very dangerous acid-base abnormality. Of course, the “gap” itself isn’t harmful. Rather, the danger is from the acidosis and from the process … Continue Reading →

How to Fix Common Glucose Problems in Diabetics

Below is a list of common glucose problems along with their solutions: Hyperglycemia Fasting  - increase basal insulin Pre-lunch  – increase breakfast rapid acting insulin or increase morning NPH (intermediate acting) … Continue Reading →

Book Review: Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology, 2e

Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology by Edward C. Klatt MD contains more than 1,500 high-yield medical images, including clinical and intraoperative photographs, pictures of gross pathology specimens, blood smears, H&E stains, electron micrographs, … Continue Reading →

Hypermineralocorticoidism Explained

Aldosterone is the most important mineralocorticoid in the human body, although various other hormones, such as cortisol, display mineralocorticoid activity as well, namely they cause hypertension, hypokalemia, and chloride resistant metabolic alkalosis … Continue Reading →

The Best Basic Sciences Books for Medical Students

Here is my list, in no particular order, of the best basic sciences books for medical students: Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology by Edward C. Klatt MD (2009, reviewed … Continue Reading →