An 84-year-old man presents to the emergency department for a loss of consciousness. The patient states that he was using the bathroom when he lost consciousness and fell, hitting his head on the counter. The patient has a past medical history of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, factor V leiden, constipation, myocardial infarction, and vascular claudication. His current medications include lisinopril, atorvastatin, valproic acid, propranolol, insulin, metformin, and sodium docusate. The patient denies use of illicit substances. His temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), blood pressure is 167/98 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam reveals an elderly man sitting comfortably in his stretcher. Cardiac exam reveals a systolic murmur heard at the right upper sternal border that radiates to the carotids. Pulmonary exam reveals mild bibasilar crackles. Neurological exam reveals 5/5 strength in his upper and lower extremities with normal sensation. The patient's gait is mildly unstable. The patient is unable to give a urine sample in the emergency department and states that he almost fainted again when he tried to. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
ASeizure
BCardiac arrhythmia
CPostural hypotension
DSituational syncope
ETransient ischemic attack
A 15-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his father 10 minutes after falling into a frozen lake during ice fishing. He was in the water for less than 1 minute before his father managed to pull him out. On arrival, his clothes are still wet and he appears scared. His body temperature is 36.2°C (97.1°F), pulse is 102/min, blood pressure is 133/88 mm Hg. Which of the following mechanisms contributes most to maintaining this patient's core body temperature?
AInhibition of the thyroid axis
BInvoluntary muscular contractions
CActivation of thermogenin
DIncrease in hypothalamic set point
EContraction of arrector pili muscles
A 37-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by a friend after he was found lying unconscious outside his front door. The friend reports that they were “pretty drunk” the previous night, and she had dropped her friend off at his home and driven off. When she came back in the morning, she found him passed out on the ground next to the doorstep. On arrival, he is conscious and cooperative. He reports feeling cold, with severe pain in his hands and face. He remembers having lost his gloves last night. His rectal temperature is 35.2°C (95.3°F), pulse is 86/min, respirations are 17/min, and blood pressure is 124/58 mm Hg. Examination shows decreased sensations over the distal fingers, which are cold to touch. The skin over the distal phalanges is cyanotic, hard, waxy, and tender, with surrounding edema. Laboratory studies are within the reference range. An x-ray of the chest and ECG show no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
AIntravenous administration of warmed crystalloid
BDebridement of the affected tissue
CImmersion of affected extremities in warm water
DIntra-arterial administration of tissue plasminogen activator
EIntravenous administration of antibiotics
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