Original Release Date: July 1, 2009
Expiration Date: July 1, 2012
10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR EACH TOPIC

TOPIC 1: Cutting Edge Airway Management - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss essentials of airway pharmacology.
2. Discuss a fundamental approach to airway assessment.
3. Describe the technique of rapid sequence intubation.

TOPIC 2: Wide Complex Tachycardia: When Is V-Tach Not V-Tach? - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the possible etiologies and ECG appearance of wide complex tachycardias.
2. Identify ECG features of these rhythms that will help differentiate between ventricular tachycardia and other more benign etiologies.
3. Discuss evidence-based treatment of these dysrhythmias.
4. Appreciate the clinical significance of the underlying medical conditions that result in these dysrhythmias.

TOPIC 3: ST Segment Elevation: MI or Not MI - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Appreciate the wide variety of clinical conditions that can result in ST elevation on the ECG.
2. Describe ECG findings that can aid the clinician in determining the significance of ST-elevation on an ECG.
3. Discuss the possible adjuncts a clinician can use to further define the significance of ST-elevation on an ECG.

TOPIC 4: Electrolytes at Panic Levels - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify common symptoms and signs that suggest an electrolyte abnormality.
2. List the various therapies used to treat hyperkalemia.
3. Review the various formulas used to correct disorders in sodium homeostasis.

TOPIC 5: Low Back Pain In the ED: What We Know, What We Think We Know, and What We Don’t Know - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the evidence-based approach to the evaluation of non-traumatic back pain.
2. Review the “red flags” that should heighten the suspicion for serious pathology in the evaluation of back pain.
3. Describe both effective as well as disproved therapies in the treatment of back pain.
4. Identify potential pitfalls in the treatment and disposition of low back pain.

TOPIC 6: Aortic Disasters - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of aortic dissection and AAA.
2. Outline the diagnostic options for emergency detection of these life-threatening vascular emergencies.
3. Review the essentials of emergency management of aortic dissection and AAA.

TOPIC 7: Thrombolysis for Stroke - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the principles and pathophysiology of stroke and stroke treatment.
2. Appreciate the applicable medical literature that is available to the clinician.
3. Review the performance of thrombolysis for stroke to this point in time.
4. Describe the controversy regarding this therapy.
5. Recognize emerging technologies and therapies useful for the treatment of stroke in the ED