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You don’t need labs to medically clear a psych patient

PEMBlog

However, the vast majority of pediatric patients with psychiatric complaints do not present with undifferentiated acute psychosis; rather, they are seen for behavioral concerns or suicidal ideation. When should the emergency physician obtain lab tests to medically clear such patients? Acute onset psychosis is relatively rare.

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Under Pressure: Hypertensive Emergencies in the Pediatric Emergency Department

PEMBlog

In the case presented, the patients blood pressure was significantly elevated, and she exhibited symptoms indicative of end-organ involvement, including altered mental status, headache, and nausea. Additional lab testing can be completed to account for the broader differential diagnoses.

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Podcast Episode: Febrile Seizures

PEMBlog

Do All Children Who Present With a Complex Febrile Seizure Need a Lumbar Puncture? Admittedly, 25 percent of children with meningitis will have seizures at or before the initial presentation, but almost all of these kids will also have other signs and symptoms of meningitis, like altered consciousness, nuclear rigidity, a petechial rash.

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