More articles from 1-Minute Consult
- Is chest radiography routinely needed after thoracentesis?
No, it should be done only in certain situations, for example, if pneumothorax is suspected.
- Can procalcitonin guide decisions about antibiotic management?
Yes, but clinical judgment must still be exercised.
- How should I treat acute agitation in pregnancy?
This is an obstetric emergency. Intervention should progress in a stepwise manner.
- Does early repolarization on ECG increase the risk of cardiac death in healthy people?
No. In patients without symptoms, early repolarization is nearly always a benign incidental finding.
- Repeating blood cultures after initial bacteremia: When and how often?
Repeating blood cultures after an initial positive result is superfluous except in certain situations.
- Should metformin be used in every patient with type 2 diabetes?
Most patients should receive it, with exceptions. Nevertheless, it is underused.
- When can I stop dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with drug-eluting stents?
The decision requires balancing the risk of thrombosis against the risk of bleeding. A cardiologist can help.
- Are anti-TNF drugs safe for pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease?
Active IBD poses a greater risk than continuing drug therapy.
- Do all hospital inpatients need cardiac telemetry?
Routine cardiac telemetry raises costs and does little.
- What can I do when first-line measures are not enough for vasovagal syncope?
Second-line measures include midodrine, fludrocortisone, beta-blockers, and SSRIs, but evidence is limited.