ACEM Fellowship
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. Focused on resuscitation, toxicology, and clinical decision making.
Communication, resuscitation, and procedural skills coverage for practical exam preparation.
Australian envenomation (snakes, spiders) and overdose management.
Structured topic coverage across high-yield written fellowship themes.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) is a vision-threatening condition caused by sudden blockage of aqueous humor outflow... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Acute Behavioural Disturbance
ABD encompasses a spectrum from mild agitation to life-threatening excited delirium syndrome (ExDS). Causes include subs... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Acute Bronchiolitis - Adult
Acute bronchiolitis in adults is an inflammatory condition of the small airways (bronchioles, below 2 mm diameter) most ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Acute Bronchiolitis - Paediatric
Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract, primarily affecting infants aged 2-12 months. ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Acute Epiglottitis
Acute epiglottitis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures that can p... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Acute Heart Failure
Acute heart failure encompasses both new-onset heart failure and acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADHF), p... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Acute Ischemic Stroke - Thrombolysis
Acute ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes, with mortality of 15-30% at 30 days if untreated. Time is brain –... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Acute Ischemic Stroke - Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy
Acute ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes, with mortality of 15-30% at 30 days if untreated. Time is brain –... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Acute Kidney Injury - Emergency Management
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in the emergency department requires rapid assessment to identify reversible causes (pre-renal... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Acute Pericarditis
Acute pericarditis is the most common pericardial disease, accounting for 5% of ED chest pain presentations. While most ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Acute Psychosis
Psychosis describes a syndrome of disordered thought, perception, and reality testing. In the ED, the priority is threef... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Addisonian Crisis (Acute Adrenal Insufficiency)
Adrenal crisis presents with hypotension, hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia, and often hyperpigmentation (in p... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Advanced Life Support - Adult
Adult Advanced Life Support provides the framework for managing cardiac arrest beyond basic CPR and AED use. ALS incorpo... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Airway Foreign Body - Adult
Foreign body airway obstruction is a preventable cause of asphyxial death, causing 60-100 deaths annually in Australia. ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Amphetamine Toxicity
Benzodiazepines are first-line for all amphetamine-induced agitation - titrate to effect, start high and go fast (IV ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, IgE or non-IgE mediated systemic allergic reaction affecting multiple organ systems. It af... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Aortic Dissection
Aortic dissection occurs when an intimal tear allows blood to enter the medial layer of the aorta, creating a false lume... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Asthma - Adult
Acute asthma exacerbations result from acute bronchospasm, airway inflammation, and increased mucus production causing r... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Asthma - Paediatric
Acute paediatric asthma is a reversible obstructive airway disease characterised by bronchospasm, airway inflammation, a... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Asystole and Pulseless Cardiac Arrest
Asystole is complete absence of cardiac electrical activity (flat line ECG) with below 2% survival, while PEA (Pulseless... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Atrial Fibrillation - Acute Management
Acute AF in the ED demands rapid evaluation for instability (immediate cardioversion), determination of onset timing (48... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Awake Intubation
Awake intubation maintains spontaneous ventilation while establishing a definitive airway in patients with predicted dif... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Bacterial Meningitis - Adult
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the meninges requiring immediate empirical antibiotics (Ceftriax... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Bacterial Meningitis - Paediatric
Never delay antibiotics for lumbar puncture - Draw blood cultures, give antibiotics, then perform LP if safe... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam
Bag-Mask Ventilation
Bag-mask ventilation (BMV) provides manual positive pressure ventilation using a self-inflating bag, one-way valve, and ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Benzodiazepine overdose causes CNS depression ranging from mild sedation to coma, typically described as "coma with stab... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Blunt Chest Trauma
Blunt chest trauma accounts for 25-50% of all trauma deaths and is the second leading cause of mortality after head inju... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Bradycardia and Cardiac Conduction Disorders
Symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate below 50 bpm) with hypotension, altered conscious level, or signs of shock is a medi... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Bradycardia in Adults
Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate below 60 beats per minute (bpm) on resting electrocardiogram. While bradycardia can be a normal physiological finding in well-conditioned athletes and during sleep, pathological...
Broad-Complex Tachycardia
Broad-complex tachycardia accounts for 20-30% of ED tachyarrhythmias. Approximately 80% are VT, rising to 95% in patient... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Brown Snake Envenomation
Brown snakes (Pseudonaja species) are responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia. The venom contains ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Burns - Adult
Burns are tissue injuries caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation sources. In Australia, burns affect 25-3... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Burns - Emergency Assessment and Management
Burn Depth Classification: Superficial (epidermis, red, painful), Superficial Partial (blisters, moist, blanches, ver... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Cardiac Arrest - Adult
Cardiac arrest is the cessation of mechanical cardiac activity confirmed by the absence of a palpable central pulse, unr... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Cardiac Tamponade
Cardiac tamponade occurs when pericardial fluid accumulates faster than the parietal pericardium can stretch, causing in... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic demands, resulting in systemic ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Cervical Spine Trauma
NEXUS Criteria (PMID: 9971872): No midline tenderness, no focal deficit, normal alertness, no intoxication, no painfu... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Chemical Restraint and Acute Behavioural Disturbance
Acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) affects 5-10% of ED presentations and represents a medical emergency requiring rapid... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Chest Drain (Tube Thoracostomy) Insertion
Anatomical safety zone: 5th intercostal space, mid-axillary line (nipple line in males, inframammary fold in females)... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Cocaine Toxicity
Presynaptic Catecholamine Reuptake Inhibition: Blocks reuptake of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin in synaptic ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Community-Acquired Pneumonia - Adult
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an acute lower respiratory tract infection acquired outside hospital, presenting w... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
Answer: Croup is acute viral laryngotracheobronchitis causing subglottic airway oedema in children aged 6 months to 3 years. Classic triad: barking seal cough, inspiratory stridor, hoarseness. Severity assessed using...
Crush Injury
Crush injury is defined as compression of extremities or other body parts for prolonged periods, leading to tissue ischa... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Damage Control Resuscitation
Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) is a systematic approach to managing life-threatening hemorrhagic shock that prioriti... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Deliberate Self-Harm
Deliberate self-harm affects 200-250 per 100,000 Australians annually presenting to emergency departments. It encompasse... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Delirium in the Emergency Department
Delirium affects 10-25% of older ED patients and is a medical emergency with 10-26% in-hospital mortality and 25-33% mor... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic Ketoacidosis represents absolute or relative insulin deficiency combined with counter-regulatory hormone excess... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Difficult Airway Management
The difficult airway occurs in 1-6% of emergency department intubations and carries mortality of 25-30% if mismanaged, p... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Digoxin Toxicity
Digoxin toxicity occurs when serum levels exceed the therapeutic window (0.5-2.0 ng/mL), inhibiting myocardial Na+/K+ AT... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a pervasive public health issue affecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in their lif... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Drowning Resuscitation
Drowning is a respiratory impairment process caused by submersion/immersion in liquid, leading to hypoxia and potentiall... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
ECMO/ECPR
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a modified heart-lung machine providing temporary cardiopulmonary support ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy accounts for 1-2% of all pregnancies but remains a leading cause of maternal mortality in the first tr... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
eFAST Examination
eFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) is a rapid, bedside ultrasound examination to detect free... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Electrical Cardioversion
ALWAYS press SYNC button before cardioversion - asynchronous shock in R-on-T can precipitate ventricular fibrillation... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Electrolyte Emergencies
Electrolyte emergencies are critical disturbances in serum potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium that pose immediate ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Electrolyte Emergencies
Electrolyte emergencies are critical disturbances in serum sodium, potassium, calcium, or magnesium that pose immediate ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Emergency Delivery
Emergency delivery (precipitous birth) occurs in 1-3% of births and carries 2-5 times higher neonatal mortality than pla... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Encephalitis
Empiric acyclovir (10 mg/kg IV q8h) must be started immediately upon suspected HSV encephalitis—do NOT wait for lumba... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Environmental Medicine - Australia
Australian environmental emergencies involve venomous snakes, spiders, and marine creatures unique to our region. Snake ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Ethanol Toxicity
Ethanol toxicity ranges from mild intoxication to life-threatening withdrawal, hypoglycaemia, and Wernicke encephalopath... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Extubation Criteria
Extubation is the planned removal of an endotracheal tube after determining a patient can maintain adequate spontaneous ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Failed Intubation Drill
Failed intubation occurs in 1-3% of emergency department intubations and can rapidly deteriorate to a CICO (Can't Intuba... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Foreign Body Airway Obstruction - Paediatric
Immediate Action : If conscious with ineffective cough → Call for help, 5 back blows, 5 chest thrusts (infants: chest thrusts only, no abdominal thrusts). If unconscious → Start CPR, check mouth for visible object...
Foreign Body Nasal - Paediatric
Nasal foreign bodies are common paediatric emergencies, peaking at 2-5 years. Immediate airway assessment is critical, e... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Funnel-Web Spider Envenomation
Funnel-web spider envenomation is a life-threatening emergency caused by delta-hexatoxin (robustoxin) from the Sydney Fu... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) Toxicity
GHB toxicity presents with rapid-onset CNS depression (GCS often 3), respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypothermia, a... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
GBS is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide, affecting 1-2 people per 100,000 annually. Up to 30% ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Headache Red Flags
Headache is a common ED presentation (2-4% of all visits), but 1-4% harbour life-threatening pathology. The SNOOP mnemon... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Health Advocacy in Emergency Medicine
One-liner : Health advocacy in emergency medicine is the systematic identification and mitigation of barriers to optimal patient care through individual, institutional, and systemic action.
Heat Illness Prevention
Acclimatization reduces heat illness risk by 40-60% and requires 7-14 days of progressive heat exposure with earlier ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Affects 0.3-3% of pregnancies, peaks at 8-12 weeks gestation. Life-threatening complications include Wernicke encephalop... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS, formerly HONK/HHNS) is the most lethal hyperglycaemic emergency with 15-20% mort... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Hypertensive Emergency
Hypertensive emergencies affect 1-2% of all hypertensive patients and carry 5-25% mortality depending on end-organ invol... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Hyperthermia Emergency (Heat Illness)
Heat stroke is defined by core temp greater than 40°C + CNS dysfunction - confusion, seizures, coma. Mortality 10-50%... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
Examination demonstrating 'olive' mass and gastric peristaltic waves... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellowship OSCE exam preparation.
Hypoglycaemia - Emergency Management
Hypoglycaemia is a medical emergency defined by the clinical triad of low blood glucose (below 4.0 mmol/L in ED context)... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Hypothermia - Emergency Medicine
Accidental hypothermia is defined as an involuntary drop in core body temperature below 35°C (95°F). It ranges from mild... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Intracerebral Haemorrhage
Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10-15% of all strokes and has the highest mortality of stroke subtypes at 3... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Intraosseous (IO) Access
IO is second-line to IV (ANZCOR: IV preferred, IO if IV cannot be rapidly achieved within 2 attempts)... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam prepara
Intraosseous (IO) Vascular Access
IO access is a bridge, not a destination - Replace with IV/CVC within 24 hours. Risk of osteomyelitis increases signi... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Intussusception - Adult
Adult intussusception is rare (5% of intestinal obstructions, 2-3 cases per million adults/year) and has a lead point... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Intussusception - Paediatric
Lethargy as presenting feature: Not just pain—lethargy occurs in 20-30% and may be the first sign... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam preparation
Jellyfish Envenomation
Jellyfish envenomation in Australia ranges from mild stings to life-threatening emergencies. Box jellyfish (Chironex fle... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Laryngomalacia
Laryngomalacia accounts for 60-75% of all congenital stridor cases. Most infants (90%) have mild disease that resolves s... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Laryngotracheobronchitis
Croup is the most common cause of acute upper airway obstruction in children, affecting 3-5% annually with a mortality b... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly northern Australia (Queensland, Northern Terr... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Limb Trauma
Limb trauma encompasses a spectrum of injuries from simple fractures to severe mangled extremities. The emergency physic... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Lumbar Puncture (Emergency)
CT before LP is required if: age greater than 60, immunocompromised, CNS disease history, recent seizure, focal neuro... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Massive Haemoptysis
Massive haemoptysis represents a true time-critical emergency with mortality rates of 30-80% if untreated, primarily fro... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Massive Transfusion Protocol
Massive transfusion occurs in approximately 10-25% of major trauma patients requiring blood products. Mortality ranges f... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Maternal Cardiac Arrest
Maternal cardiac arrest requires immediate resuscitation with pregnancy-specific modifications: manual uterine displacem... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Maxillofacial Trauma
Maxillofacial trauma encompasses injuries to the facial skeleton including mandible, maxilla, zygoma, orbit, and nasoeth... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Mechanical CPR
Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices (AutoPulse load-distributing band, LUCAS piston device, ZOLL) deliver a... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Mechanical Ventilation in the Emergency Department
Emergency physicians must initiate ventilation with lung-protective settings (tidal volume 6-8 mL/kg predicted body weig... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Melioidosis
Melioidosis is the most important tropical infection in northern Australia, with incidence rates of 16.5-50 per 100,000 ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Mental Health Act - Australia & New Zealand
Each Australian state/territory and New Zealand operates under separate Mental Health legislation with significant varia... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Myasthenic Crisis
One-liner : Myasthenic crisis is life-threatening respiratory failure from severe weakness in myasthenia gravis requiring early intubation, immunotherapy (IVIg or plasma exchange), and ICU management.
Myxoedema Coma
Myxoedema coma represents the most severe manifestation of decompensated hypothyroidism with mortality rates of 25-60% e... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Myxoedema Coma
Myxoedema coma (myxedema crisis) is the extreme decompensated state of hypothyroidism with mortality 20-60% despite inte... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Near-Drowning
Hypoxia is the primary cause of death - start rescue breathing immediately, even before checking for a pulse... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellowship OSCE
Necrotising Fasciitis
One-liner : Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening soft tissue infection requiring emergency surgical debridement within 6-12 hours to prevent death.
Neonatal Resuscitation
Neonatal resuscitation affects 2-10 per 1000 live births, with mortality reaching 20-30% without appropriate interventio... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Nerve Blocks in the Emergency Department
Indications and contraindications for common ED nerve blocks... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellowship OSCE exam preparation.
Newborn Resuscitation
85% of term newborns transition spontaneously within 10-30 seconds of birth; only 10% require any assistance; under 1... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV/BiPAP/CPAP)
BiPAP is first-line for COPD exacerbation with respiratory acidosis (pH 7.25-7.35) - NNT 5 to prevent intubation, NNT... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
NSTEMI and Unstable Angina (Non-ST-Elevation ACS)
Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) encompasses NSTEMI and unstable angina, characterized by acute cardi... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Opioid Overdose
Opioid overdose occurs when excessive opioid agonism at mu-receptors causes life-threatening respiratory depression thro... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Organophosphate Poisoning
Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a medical emergency requiring immediate antidotal therapy with atropine and pralidoxim... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Paediatric cardiac arrest differs fundamentally from adult arrest. Most paediatric arrests are asphyxial (respiratory in... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Paediatric Airway Management
The paediatric airway differs fundamentally from the adult airway in anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Children are NO... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Paediatric Cardiac Arrest
Survival depends on early recognition of pre-arrest states (bradycardia, respiratory failure), rapid initiation of BLS w... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Paediatric Trauma
Paediatric trauma accounts for a significant proportion of ED presentations and mortality in children. Unlike adults, ch... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Paraquat Poisoning
Paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium) is a highly toxic bipyridyl herbicide with 60-90% mortality. Toxicity results... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
PEA and Asystole (Non-Shockable Rhythms)
PEA is defined as an organised electrical rhythm on the monitor in the absence of a palpable central pulse, while asysto... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Pelvic Fracture Trauma
Pelvic fractures represent high-energy injuries with significant mortality, primarily due to haemorrhage. Immediate mana... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Penetrating Abdominal Trauma
Penetrating abdominal trauma is a surgical emergency with mortality 15-25% for major vascular injuries. Immediate priori... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Penetrating Chest Trauma
Penetrating chest trauma requires rapid assessment and immediate life-saving interventions. Follow ATLS primary survey w... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Pericardiocentesis
Ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis has 90-97% success rate compared to 50-80% for blind technique (PMID: 12628672, ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Perimortem Caesarean Section (Resuscitative Hysterotomy)
Maternal cardiac arrest occurs in approximately 1 in 30,000 deliveries with high mortality (60-70% if delayed). The grav... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is a life-threatening obstetric emergency affecting 0.5-1% of pregnancies with perinatal mortality r... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Pleural Effusion - Emergency Management
Pleural effusion affects 1.5 million people annually in developed countries, with causes ranging from transudative (CHF,... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Pneumonia - Adult
CURB-65 score (0-1: outpatient, 2: consider admission, ≥3: severe - ICU assessment) is the most validated severity to... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Pneumonia - Paediatric
Tachypnoea is the most sensitive clinical sign of pneumonia: greater than 60/min (below 2 months), greater than 50/mi... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
Parameter Detail ----------- -------- Core Applications eFAST, cardiac views, lung ultrasound, IVC, AAA, DVT, procedural guidance ACEM Credential Core skill - required for Fellowship Minimum Training 25-50 supervised...
Post-Intubation Management
Immediate post-intubation management requires systematic verification of correct ETT placement, secure fixation, and ini... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Post-Resuscitation Care
Post-resuscitation care is the critical phase between ROSC and definitive outcome, determining whether a patient survive... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Postpartum Haemorrhage
PPH affects 10-15% of deliveries and remains a leading cause of maternal mortality globally. The most common cause is ut... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnancies globally and remains a leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 10-... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Primary Survey - ATLS
Primary survey is the systematic ABCDE approach to identify and immediately treat life-threatening injuries in trauma pa... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Procedural Sedation in the Emergency Department
Parameter Detail ----------- -------- Indications Fracture/dislocation reduction, cardioversion, laceration repair, abscess drainage, foreign body removal, diagnostic procedures (CT in agitated patient)...
Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
One-liner : Rabies PEP is a medical emergency requiring immediate wound washing (15 min), rabies immunoglobulin (20 IU/kg infiltrated into wound), and vaccine series (day 0/3/7/14/28) to prevent 100% fatal encephalitis.
Raised Intracranial Pressure
Raised ICP occurs when the volume of brain parenchyma, blood, or CSF exceeds the compensatory capacity of the rigid cran... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)
RSI is the gold standard for emergency airway management in the ED, used in greater than 90% of intubations. The 7 Ps fr... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Redback Spider Envenomation
Critical Alert: Redback Spider Envenomation Redback spider ( Latrodectus hasselti ) envenomation causes latrodectism through alpha-latrotoxin-mediated massive neurotransmitter release. Clinical features include...
Resuscitative Thoracotomy
Emergency Department thoracotomy is indicated for penetrating thoracic trauma with witnessed arrest, allows release of p... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Rhabdomyolysis
Life-threatening muscle breakdown syndrome (CK greater than 1,000 U/L) from trauma, drugs, exertion, or seizures causing... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis represents a clinical syndrome ranging from asymptomatic CK elevation to life-threatening multi-organ fai... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Secondary Survey
The Secondary Survey is a comprehensive, head-to-toe physical examination performed after the Primary Survey confirms no immediate life threats. It begins with obtaining a history (using the AMPLE mnemonic), followed...
Sepsis - Paediatric
Phoenix Sepsis Score (2024) replaces SIRS: Score 2+ indicates sepsis (respiratory, cardiovascular, coagulation, neuro... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Septic Shock Management
Septic shock represents the most severe end of the sepsis spectrum with mortality 25-40%. Early recognition using qSOFA ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Severe Malaria
Severe malaria occurs when P. falciparum parasitemia is complicated by organ dysfunction (cerebral malaria, ARDS, AKI, s... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Severe Sepsis - Adult
Sepsis-3 Definition: Organ dysfunction (SOFA score increase ≥2) caused by infection - SIRS criteria abandoned... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam
Shockable Rhythms - Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT) represent the most treatable causes of cardiac... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Shoulder Dystocia
This is a time-critical emergency occurring in 0.2-3% of vaginal deliveries, characterized by the pathognomonic "turtle ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Spinal Cord Compression - Emergency Management
Spinal cord compression (SCC) results from extrinsic pressure on the spinal cord from malignancy (most common), trauma, ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Status Epilepticus
One-liner : Status epilepticus is continuous seizure activity lasting greater than 5 minutes or ≥2 seizures without recovery of consciousness; treat immediately with IV lorazepam or IM midazolam, escalate rapidly to...
STEMI Management in the Emergency Department
ST-elevation myocardial infarction represents complete occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery causing transmural myo... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH)
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 5% of strokes but carries disproportionate mortality (40-50% at 30 days) and... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Suicidal Patient Assessment
Emergency Department (ED) suicide assessment has shifted from "predicting" suicide (statistically impossible with accept... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Supraglottic Airway Devices
description: "ACEM comprehensive guide to SGA use in emergency medicine",... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam preparation.
Suprapubic Bladder Catheterization
Parameter Detail ----------- -------- Indications Acute urinary retention, failed urethral catheterization, urethral trauma/stricture, long-term catheterization Contraindications Empty bladder, pelvic malignancy,...
Supraventricular Tachycardia (Narrow Complex)
SVT accounts for 50,000 ED presentations annually in the US, with incidence 35 per 100,000 person-years. Most cases (60... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Surgical Airway - Cricothyroidotomy
Cricothyroidotomy is a life-saving procedure performed when all other airway management options have failed. The scalpel... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Syncope - Emergency Department Assessment
Syncope accounts for 1-3% of ED presentations and 6% of hospital admissions. While reflex syncope is most common (40-50%... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM)
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) involves controlled regulation of body temperature post-cardiac arrest to reduce s... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Temporary Cardiac Pacing
Assess hemodynamic stability (hypotension, altered mental status, chest pain, heart failure)... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellowship OSCE exam preparatio
Tension Pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax develops when air enters the pleural space through a one-way valve mechanism, progressively increas... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Termination of Resuscitation
Termination of resuscitation occurs when further CPR and advanced life support are unlikely to result in sustained retur... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Tetanus
Tetanus presents with characteristic trismus (lockjaw), risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and generalized muscle spasms tr... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Thyroid Storm
Thyroid storm (thyrotoxic crisis) is an acute, severe, life-threatening exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis with multiorgan d... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Toxicology - General Approach
The initial approach to any poisoned patient follows a structured ABCDE assessment with simultaneous history-taking and ... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Tracheostomy Care
Tracheostomy patients presenting to the ED require systematic assessment and immediate action for airway emergencies. The most critical emergencies are:
Trauma Resuscitation - Adult
One-liner : Trauma resuscitation requires immediate, systematic assessment using ATLS ABCDE protocol, damage control resuscitation (permissive hypotension, balanced blood product ratio, early TXA), and rapid...
Trauma Scene Safety
Trauma scene safety is the critical first step in emergency medicine, following the hierarchy: Self Partner/Crew Pub... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects 180-250 per 100,000 Australians annually with 10-20% mortality for moderate-severe ... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Traumatic Cardiac Arrest
Traumatic cardiac arrest differs fundamentally from medical cardiac arrest in aetiology and management . While medica... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdose
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is a medical emergency characterised by sodium channel blockade causing QRS prol... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Tropical Infections (Australia)
Australia's tropical north and remote Indigenous communities experience unique infectious disease profiles not seen else... ACEM Fellowship Written, ACEM Fellow
Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency with perinatal mortality of 9-47% if untreated. It occurs in 0.14-0.62 per 1,000... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary V
Video Laryngoscopy
First-pass success: VL increases first-pass success from 70-75% (DL) to 80-85% in most ED studies... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Primary Viva exam preparati
Weedkiller (Paraquat) Poisoning
Redox cycling mechanism: Paraquat is reduced intracellularly to a free radical, then re-oxidised by oxygen, producing... ACEM Primary Written, ACEM Fellowshi