Original Release Date: July 1, 2010
Expiration Date: July 1, 2013
10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

OVERALL OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this CME activity, through the use of clinical vignettes emphasizing Guidelines and Evidence-Based Medicine, the physician or healthcare provider should be able to formulate a differential, make a diagnosis and develop a plan for the prevention and/or therapeutic management of the various disorders presented.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR EACH TOPIC
 
TOPIC 1: Dizziness - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Differentiate between the most common causes of dizziness. 
2.  Distinguish between central and peripheral causes of vertigo. 
3.  Describe physical examination maneuvers used to diagnose and treat vertigo.

TOPIC 2: Stroke - An Evidence-Based Approach to TIA and Acute Stroke - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Define TIA. 
2.  Develop a protocol for evaluation and treatment of TIA and stroke. 
3.  Apply inclusion criteria and CT criteria for thrombolysis. 
4.  Evaluate outcomes, hemorrhage rate, recovery.

TOPIC 3: Common Thyroid Disorders - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Diagnose common causes of thyroid hyper-function and hypo-function. 
2.  Treat common thyroid function abnormalities. 
3.  Perform an appropriate evaluation of thyroid nodules.

TOPIC 4: Shock and Hemodynamic Monitoring - Shock is a common problem in the intensive care unit. The International Surviving Sepsis Campaign evidence-based guidelines will be reviewed. Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Define shock and describe the causes. We will focus on the pathophysiology of common entities. 
2.  Characterize basic resuscitation techniques including volume replacement and the use of vasopressors. The discussion will include a review of early goal directed therapy. 
3.  Recognize the current controversies surrounding the use of invasive hemodynamic monitoring. 
4.  Define new treatments for septic shock. This will include the use of activated protein C and the role of corticosteroids.

TOPIC 5: Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain Management - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Define the spectrum of neuropathic signs, symptoms, and causes. 
2.  Develop an approach to bedside examination. 
3.  Discuss the mechanism of neuropathic pain. 
4.  Apply effective therapies.

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

1.  Describe the diagnosis and treatment of crystal arthropathies including gout and pseudogout.

TOPIC 7: Asthma Update - Upon completion of the session, the participant should be able to:

1.  Explain the pathophysiology of asthma and how the various medications work to thwart the disease process. 
2.  Utilize the NHLBI guidelines for assessing a patient's impairment and risk from asthma. 
3.  Discuss side effects of asthma medications and be able to answer patients' concerns regarding them. 
4.  Apply the step-care process and appropriate combinations of medications for asthma.