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📘 Quick Hits for Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 2nd Edition – Summary

 Quick Hits for Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 2nd Edition 



Authors: Cristina M. Zeretzke-Bien, Donna Mendez, and Jonathan I. Singer
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Edition: 2nd Edition (2021)
Purpose: A rapid review and high-yield reference designed for residents, pediatricians, and emergency medicine providers preparing for boards or handling real-time pediatric emergencies.


🔍 Overview of the Book:

This book is structured in quick-hit bullet format, focusing on core clinical pearls, critical decision-making, and differential diagnoses. Each chapter covers high-yield topics seen in the emergency room and is designed for rapid reference.


🧠 Main Sections & Key Takeaways:

1. General Emergency Approach

  • ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
  • Pediatric assessment triangle (PAT): Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation
  • Neonatal vs. infant vs. child resuscitation differences
  • Pediatric vital signs and their interpretation by age

2. Trauma

  • Head injuries (concussion, epidural/subdural hematoma)
  • Cervical spine clearance
  • Abdominal trauma: liver/spleen injury management
  • Non-accidental trauma (child abuse recognition)
  • Fracture types common in children: greenstick, buckle

3. Respiratory Emergencies

  • Croup, bronchiolitis, asthma exacerbations
  • Foreign body aspiration
  • Pneumothorax, pneumonia
  • High-flow nasal cannula and BiPAP indications

4. Cardiac Emergencies

  • Congenital heart disease presentations (ductal-dependent lesions)
  • Cyanosis differentials in neonates
  • Arrhythmias: SVT, VT, bradycardia, torsades
  • Shock: hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive

5. Neurological Emergencies

  • Status epilepticus: benzodiazepines → fosphenytoin
  • Febrile seizures (simple vs. complex)
  • Meningitis, encephalitis
  • Shunt malfunction

6. Gastrointestinal & GU

  • Pyloric stenosis, intussusception (target sign)
  • Appendicitis (classic and atypical)
  • Dehydration assessment and rehydration strategies
  • UTI, testicular torsion, ovarian torsion

7. Infectious Disease

  • Sepsis workup by age
  • Kawasaki disease vs. MIS-C
  • Meningococcemia
  • Common exanthems (measles, rubella, roseola, etc.)

8. Endocrine & Metabolic

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): fluid resuscitation and insulin timing
  • Hypoglycemia management
  • Adrenal crisis in congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Thyroid storm, SIADH vs. DI

9. Toxicology

  • Acetaminophen and salicylate overdose
  • Iron poisoning
  • Anticholinergic and opioid toxidromes
  • Activated charcoal indications
  • Use of naloxone, flumazenil (with caution)

10. Environmental & Other

  • Drowning: hypoxia-based management
  • Electrical injuries
  • Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion
  • Anaphylaxis protocols: IM epinephrine first
  • Bites, stings, envenomation

11. Psychiatric Emergencies

  • Suicide risk assessment in children and teens
  • Acute psychosis or agitation
  • Use of restraints and sedation

12. Dermatology in the ED

  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Kawasaki, and viral exanthems
  • Urticaria vs. anaphylaxis
  • Infectious rashes (impetigo, cellulitis, etc.)

13. Procedures & Sedation

  • Sedation protocols (ketamine, midazolam)
  • Lumbar puncture tips
  • Airway management (BVM, ETT)
  • IV, IO access
  • Pain control in kids (dosing, scales)

📝 High-Yield Features of the Book:

  • Board-style formatting for fast recall
  • Differential diagnosis tables by presenting complaint
  • Key pediatric medication doses
  • Algorithms for critical care (e.g., asthma, seizures, trauma)
  • Evidence-based, up-to-date protocols

📚 Who Should Use This Book?

  • Pediatric emergency residents
  • General pediatricians on-call
  • Emergency medicine residents
  • Medical students on pediatric EM rotations
  • Nurses, paramedics, PAs, NPs in urgent care and ED

⭐ Strengths of the Book:

  • Clear layout with no fluff
  • Life-saving information quickly accessible
  • Useful as both a study guide and a clinical resource
  • Excellent for PEM boards and in-service exams






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