Clinical Pearls
High-yield, bite-sized clinical wisdom and rules of thumb.
"Always check a fingerstick blood glucose in a patient with altered mental status."
Why: Hypoglycemia is a rapidly reversible, life-threatening cause of coma, seizures, and focal neurological deficits that can easily mimic a stroke.
"In a patient with an inferior STEMI, always obtain a right-sided ECG to check for RV infarction."
Why: If right ventricular infarction is present (ST elevation in V4R), administering nitroglycerin can cause profound, life-threatening hypotension by decreasing preload.
"Do not treat asymptomatic bacteriuria, except in pregnant women and patients undergoing urologic procedures."
Why: Treating asymptomatic bacteriuria in the general population does not improve outcomes and increases antibiotic resistance and C. diff risk.
"Correct the serum sodium for hyperglycemia before diagnosing true hyponatremia."
Why: For every 100 mg/dL increase in glucose above normal, serum sodium decreases by approximately 1.6 to 2.4 mEq/L due to osmotic shifts.
"A normal ECG does not rule out unstable angina or acute coronary syndrome."
Why: Up to 20% of patients with acute myocardial infarction have a normal or non-diagnostic initial ECG.
"Hyperkalemia with EKG changes is a medical emergency requiring immediate calcium."
Why: Calcium gluconate or calcium chloride stabilizes the myocardium and prevents lethal arrhythmias; it does not lower serum potassium levels.
"Never give tPA to a stroke patient without checking a blood glucose first."
Why: Hypoglycemia can perfectly mimic an acute ischemic stroke (Todd's paralysis/stroke mimic).
"A negative D-dimer safely rules out PE only in low-to-moderate risk patients."
Why: If the pre-test probability (e.g., Wells score) is high, a negative D-dimer is insufficient, and a CTA chest must be performed.
"Status epilepticus lasting >5 minutes requires immediate treatment."
Why: Permanent neuronal damage begins after 30 minutes. First-line therapy is a benzodiazepine (e.g., lorazepam, midazolam).
"New onset atrial fibrillation in a young patient warrants a thyroid check."
Why: Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) is a classic cause of new-onset A-fib in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
"Unexplained tachycardia is often the first sign of sepsis or shock."
Why: Always investigate unexplained sinus tachycardia before attributing it to anxiety or pain.
"Beware the 'normal' heart rate in a patient taking beta-blockers."
Why: A trauma patient or septic patient on beta-blockers may not mount a tachycardic response to shock.
"Consider necrotizing fasciitis in any patient with pain out of proportion to exam."
Why: Skin findings may be minimal early on, but extreme pain and systemic toxicity are red flags.
"Lithium toxicity can be precipitated by NSAIDs or thiazide diuretics."
Why: These drugs decrease renal clearance of lithium, leading to acute toxicity (tremor, ataxia, confusion).
"A 'thumbprint sign' on lateral neck x-ray indicates epiglottitis."
Why: This is a medical emergency. Do not agitate the child or attempt to examine the throat without a secure airway plan.
"The most common cause of painless lower GI bleeding in the elderly is diverticulosis."
Why: While angiodysplasia and malignancy are concerns, diverticular bleeding is the most frequent culprit.
"Administer magnesium sulfate for Torsades de Pointes."
Why: Magnesium is the drug of choice for this polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, even if serum magnesium levels are normal.
"Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents with a hard, red eye and fixed mid-dilated pupil."
Why: Patients often complain of severe eye pain, halos around lights, and nausea/vomiting.
"Testicular torsion typically lacks a cremasteric reflex."
Why: A present cremasteric reflex makes torsion highly unlikely, pointing more towards epididymitis.
"Consider mesenteric ischemia in an elderly patient with pain out of proportion to abdominal exam."
Why: Particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation (risk of embolic disease).
"Any woman of childbearing age with abdominal pain is pregnant until proven otherwise."
Why: Always obtain a quantitative or qualitative beta-hCG to rule out ectopic pregnancy.
"The classic triad of ectopic pregnancy: abdominal pain, amenorrhea, and vaginal bleeding."
Why: However, this triad is present in less than 50% of patients.
"A widened mediastinum on CXR in a tearing chest pain patient suggests aortic dissection."
Why: Immediate blood pressure control and CT angiography are required.
"Anterior shoulder dislocations usually present with the arm abducted and externally rotated."
Why: Posterior dislocations (often from seizures or electrocution) present adducted and internally rotated.
"A scaphoid fracture may not appear on initial x-rays."
Why: If there is snuffbox tenderness, treat as a fracture (thumb spica splint) and re-x-ray in 10-14 days or get an MRI.
"Treat suspected bacterial meningitis before obtaining a CT or LP if there are delays."
Why: Do not delay antibiotic administration for imaging or lumbar puncture.
"The triad of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): 'wobbly, wacky, and wet'."
Why: Gait apraxia, dementia, and urinary incontinence.
"Bell's palsy involves the entire side of the face, including the forehead."
Why: A central stroke spares the upper face (forehead) due to bilateral cortical innervation.
"C. diff colitis should be suspected in anyone with diarrhea following antibiotic use."
Why: Clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins are classic culprits.
"A palpable gallbladder in a jaundiced patient is not gallstones (Courvoisier's law)."
Why: It strongly suggests a pancreatic or biliary malignancy.
"Charcot's triad for acute cholangitis: RUQ pain, jaundice, and fever/chills."
Why: Reynold's pentad adds hypotension and altered mental status, indicating severe sepsis.
"Appendicitis typically starts with periumbilical pain that migrates to the RLQ."
Why: This is due to the progression from visceral (periumbilical) to somatic (parietal peritoneum) pain.
"The most common cause of bowel obstruction in adults is adhesions from prior surgery."
Why: In pediatric patients, consider intussusception or hernias.
"A patient with asthma who becomes 'quiet' (absent wheezing) is crashing."
Why: A 'silent chest' means insufficient airflow to even generate a wheeze. Immediate intervention is needed.
"The antidote for acetaminophen toxicity is N-acetylcysteine (NAC)."
Why: Efficacy is greatest if administered within 8 hours of ingestion.
"The antidote for benzodiazepine overdose is flumazenil."
Why: However, use with extreme caution as it can precipitate intractable seizures in chronic users.
"The antidote for opioid overdose is naloxone."
Why: Titrate to spontaneous respiration, not necessarily full consciousness, to avoid precipitating acute withdrawal.
"Beta-blocker toxicity presents with bradycardia and hypoglycemia."
Why: Glucagon is the antidote as it bypasses the beta receptor to increase intracellular cAMP.
"Digoxin toxicity can present with visual changes (yellow halos) and arrhythmias."
Why: Hypokalemia exacerbates digoxin toxicity.
"Iron toxicity causes severe GI distress followed by metabolic acidosis and hepatic failure."
Why: Deferoxamine is the chelating agent of choice.
"Lead poisoning presents with abdominal colic, wrist drop, and basophilic stippling."
Why: Treat with EDTA or succimer depending on levels.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning causes cherry-red skin (rare) and a normal SpO2."
Why: Standard pulse oximetry cannot distinguish carboxyhemoglobin from oxyhemoglobin. Check a co-oximetry level.
"A painless chancre indicates primary syphilis."
Why: A painful chancroid is caused by Haemophilus ducreyi.
"Condylomata acuminata (genital warts) are caused by HPV 6 and 11."
Why: Condylomata lata are seen in secondary syphilis.
"The most common cause of UTI is E. coli."
Why: Staphylococcus saprophyticus is common in young, sexually active women.
"Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of osteomyelitis."
Why: However, in sickle cell disease, consider Salmonella.
"Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common cause of osteomyelitis from a puncture wound through a sneaker."
Why: Always cover for Pseudomonas in this specific scenario.
"The most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is Streptococcus pneumoniae."
Why: Atypical causes include Mycoplasma (young adults) and Legionella (AC/water sources).
"Currant jelly sputum is classically associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae."
Why: Often seen in alcoholic or diabetic patients.
"Rust-colored sputum is classically associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae."
Why: The most common typical pneumonia.
"Erythema migrans (bullseye rash) is the hallmark of Lyme disease."
Why: Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
"A malar (butterfly) rash sparing the nasolabial folds is classic for SLE."
Why: Lupus can present with diverse systemic symptoms (SOAP BRAIN MD).
"A heliotrope rash (purple rash around the eyes) is seen in dermatomyositis."
Why: Also look for Gottron's papules on the knuckles.
"The Dawn phenomenon is morning hyperglycemia due to nocturnal growth hormone surges."
Why: The Somogyi effect is morning hyperglycemia as a rebound to nocturnal hypoglycemia.
"Metformin should be held for 48 hours after administering IV contrast."
Why: To prevent the risk of lactic acidosis if contrast-induced nephropathy occurs.
"Thiazide diuretics can cause hypercalcemia."
Why: Loop diuretics (like furosemide) cause hypocalcemia (Loops Lose Calcium).
"ACE inhibitors can cause a dry cough and angioedema."
Why: This is due to the accumulation of bradykinin. Switch to an ARB.
"Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause gynecomastia."
Why: Eplerenone is a selective aldosterone antagonist that avoids this side effect.
"Amiodarone has myriad side effects: pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid dysfunction, and corneal deposits."
Why: It contains iodine, which can cause hyper- or hypothyroidism.
"Heparin's anticoagulant effect is monitored with PTT."
Why: Warfarin is monitored with PT/INR.
"The antidote for heparin overdose is protamine sulfate."
Why: The antidote for warfarin is Vitamin K and FFP (or Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for rapid reversal).
"A patient on warfarin who starts an antibiotic (like TMP-SMX) is at high risk for bleeding."
Why: Antibiotics alter gut flora (decreasing vitamin K) and inhibit CYP450 metabolism of warfarin.
"Aspirin toxicity presents with tinnitus and a mixed acid-base disorder."
Why: Primary respiratory alkalosis (hyperventilation) followed by an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis.
"A child with a viral illness treated with aspirin can develop Reye's syndrome."
Why: Characterized by acute encephalopathy and fatty liver. Avoid aspirin in children (except for Kawasaki disease).
"Kawasaki disease presents with CRASH and Burn."
Why: Conjunctivitis, Rash, Adenopathy, Strawberry tongue, Hand/foot changes, and Fever >5 days. Risk of coronary aneurysms.
"Tetralogy of Fallot has four features (PROVe)."
Why: Pulmonary stenosis, RVH, Overriding aorta, VSD. It is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease.
"A continuous 'machine-like' murmur indicates a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)."
Why: Indomethacin can close it; Prostaglandin E keeps it open.
"Coarctation of the aorta presents with absent or delayed femoral pulses."
Why: Associated with Turner syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve.
"Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is characterized by a 'barking' seal-like cough."
Why: Steeple sign on AP neck x-ray. Caused mainly by Parainfluenza virus.
"Epiglottitis presents with drooling, dysphagia, distress, and a muffled voice."
Why: Thumbprint sign on lateral neck x-ray. Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) was the classic cause before vaccines.
"Bronchiolitis in infants is most commonly caused by RSV."
Why: Presents with wheezing and respiratory distress. Treatment is supportive.
"Pertussis (Whooping cough) has three stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent."
Why: Treated with macrolides (e.g., azithromycin) mainly to decrease transmission.
"Meckel's diverticulum rule of 2s."
Why: 2% of population, 2 feet from ileocecal valve, 2 inches long, 2 types of ectopic tissue (gastric, pancreatic), presents by age 2.
"Pyloric stenosis presents with non-bilious projectile vomiting in a 2-6 week old."
Why: An 'olive-shaped' mass may be palpable in the epigastrium.
"Intussusception presents with colicky abdominal pain and 'currant jelly' stools."
Why: Target sign on ultrasound. Often treated with an air or barium enema.
"Hirschsprung disease is the failure of neural crest cells to migrate to the distal colon."
Why: Presents with failure to pass meconium within 48 hours and a transition zone on contrast enema.
"Celiac disease is triggered by gluten (gliadin)."
Why: Associated with dermatitis herpetiformis. Diagnose with tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA antibodies.
"Ulcerative colitis involves the mucosa and submucosa, starting in the rectum."
Why: Continuous lesions, crypt abscesses, and a high risk of colorectal cancer.
"Crohn's disease can involve the entire GI tract from mouth to anus."
Why: Transmural inflammation, skip lesions, noncaseating granulomas, and cobblestone mucosa.
"Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is associated with anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA)."
Why: Presents with pruritus and jaundice in middle-aged women.
"Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is associated with Ulcerative Colitis."
Why: ERCP shows a 'beaded' appearance of the bile ducts. Associated with p-ANCA.
"Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive defect in copper transport."
Why: Decreased ceruloplasmin. Presents with liver disease, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and Kayser-Fleischer rings.
"Hemochromatosis is iron overload ('bronze diabetes')."
Why: Presents with liver cirrhosis, diabetes, and skin pigmentation. Treat with phlebotomy.
"Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency causes panacinar emphysema and liver cirrhosis."
Why: Suspect in young patients with COPD who do not smoke.
"The most common lung cancer is adenocarcinoma."
Why: Located peripherally. Squamous cell and small cell carcinomas are typically central.
"Small cell lung cancer is highly associated with paraneoplastic syndromes."
Why: e.g., SIADH, ACTH production (Cushing's), and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
"Squamous cell lung cancer is associated with hypercalcemia."
Why: Due to secretion of PTH-related peptide (PTHrP).
"Tension pneumothorax presents with tracheal deviation away from the affected side."
Why: Requires immediate needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space midclavicular line.
"Sarcoidosis presents with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and noncaseating granulomas."
Why: Associated with elevated ACE levels and hypercalcemia.
"Goodpasture's syndrome involves antibodies against the glomerular basement membrane."
Why: Presents with hemoptysis and hematuria (lungs and kidneys).
"Wegener's granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with polyangiitis) affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and kidneys."
Why: Associated with c-ANCA.
"Microscopic polyangiitis involves lungs and kidneys but spares the upper respiratory tract."
Why: Associated with p-ANCA.
"Churg-Strauss syndrome (Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis) presents with asthma and eosinophilia."
Why: Associated with p-ANCA.
"IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease) presents with hematuria concurrently with an upper respiratory infection."
Why: Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) occurs weeks after an infection.
"Alport syndrome is an X-linked defect in Type IV collagen."
Why: Presents with hematuria, sensorineural deafness, and eye disorders ('can't see, can't pee, can't hear a bee').
"Minimal change disease is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children."
Why: Responds exceptionally well to corticosteroids. Normal light microscopy, but podocyte effacement on electron microscopy.
"Membranous nephropathy is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults."
Why: Associated with 'spike and dome' appearance on electron microscopy.
"Multiple myeloma presents with CRAB symptoms."
Why: HyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, Bone lesions (lytic). Bence Jones proteins in urine.
"Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells ('owl's eyes')."
Why: Often presents with painless lymphadenopathy and B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss).
"Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome."
Why: t(9;22) creating the BCR-ABL fusion protein. Treated with imatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor).
"Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer."
Why: Highly responsive to chemotherapy.
"Auer rods are pathognomonic for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)."
Why: Specifically the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) subtype, which can cause DIC and is treated with ATRA.
"Hemophilia A is a deficiency of Factor VIII."
Why: X-linked recessive. Prolonged PTT, normal PT.
"Hemophilia B (Christmas disease) is a deficiency of Factor IX."
Why: X-linked recessive. Prolonged PTT, normal PT.
"von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder."
Why: Autosomal dominant. Prolonged bleeding time and sometimes prolonged PTT (since vWF stabilizes Factor VIII).
"Endocarditis in IV drug users commonly affects the tricuspid valve."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Janeway lesions are painless; Osler nodes are painful (O for Ouch)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"A machinery murmur is classic for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"A mid-systolic click is characteristic of mitral valve prolapse."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"A hyperdynamic bounding pulse is seen in aortic regurgitation."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Prinzmetal angina is caused by coronary artery vasospasm and responds to calcium channel blockers."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is left-sided heart failure."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure due to a primary pulmonary cause."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Beck's triad for cardiac tamponade: hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Pulsus paradoxus is a >10 mmHg drop in systolic BP during inspiration, seen in tamponade or severe asthma."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Electrical alternans on ECG pathognomonic for large pericardial effusion."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Virchow's triad for DVT: stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"The most common inherited hypercoagulable state is Factor V Leiden."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Trousseau's syndrome (migratory thrombophlebitis) is associated with pancreatic cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"A palpable Virchow's node (left supraclavicular) suggests gastric cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Sister Mary Joseph nodule is a palpable umbilical mass indicating pelvic/abdominal metastasis."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Krukenberg tumor is a gastric cancer metastasis to the ovary."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker CEA is associated with colorectal cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker CA-125 is associated with ovarian cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker CA 19-9 is associated with pancreatic cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker AFP is elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma and yolk sac tumors."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker PSA is used for prostate cancer screening and monitoring."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tumor marker b-hCG is elevated in choriocarcinoma and testicular cancer."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Bence Jones proteinuria is seen in Multiple Myeloma."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Rouleaux formation (RBCs stacked like coins) is seen in Multiple Myeloma."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Smudge cells are the classic finding on blood smear in CLL."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Starry-sky appearance on histology is classic for Burkitt's lymphoma."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Burkitt's lymphoma is associated with EBV and t(8;14) c-myc translocation."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Toxoplasmosis typically presents as ring-enhancing lesions in the brain on MRI of HIV patients."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"PCP pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii) is treated with TMP-SMX."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Cryptococcal meningitis is diagnosed with an India ink stain of CSF."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"CD4 count < 200 in HIV indicates AIDS."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"CD4 < 50 is the threshold for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and CMV retinitis risk."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Kaposi sarcoma is caused by HHV-8."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"The most common opportunistic infection in HIV patients is PCP pneumonia."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Rheumatoid arthritis typically involves the MCP and PIP joints, sparing the DIP joints."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Osteoarthritis typically involves the DIP (Heberden's) and PIP (Bouchard's) nodes."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Boutonniere and swan neck deformities are seen in late-stage rheumatoid arthritis."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Ankylosing spondylitis presents with a 'bamboo spine' and is associated with HLA-B27."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Reiter's syndrome (Reactive arthritis) triad: uveitis, urethritis, arthritis."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Gout is caused by uric acid crystals (needle-shaped, negatively birefringent)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Pseudogout is caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals (rhomboid-shaped, positively birefringent)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Colchicine and NSAIDs are used for acute gout; Allopurinol is for chronic prevention."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) is associated with anti-Scl-70 antibodies."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"CREST syndrome is a limited form of scleroderma associated with anti-centromere antibodies."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Sjogren's syndrome presents with dry eyes and dry mouth; associated with anti-Ro (SSA) and anti-La (SSB)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism; associated with anti-TPO antibodies."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism; caused by TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema are unique to Graves' disease."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Addison's disease is primary adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol, low aldosterone, hyperpigmentation)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Cushing's syndrome is excess cortisol (moon facies, buffalo hump, striae)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla secreting catecholamines (episodic hypertension, palpitations)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Primary hyperparathyroidism presents with 'stones, bones, groans, and psychiatric overtones' (hypercalcemia)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Secondary hyperparathyroidism is usually due to chronic kidney disease (hypocalcemia, elevated PTH)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Diabetes insipidus is a lack of ADH (central) or lack of response to ADH (nephrogenic), leading to polyuria."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"SIADH is excess ADH causing hyponatremia; often paraneoplastic (small cell lung cancer)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Acromegaly is excess growth hormone after epiphyseal closure; diagnosed with an IGF-1 level."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Prolactinoma is the most common pituitary adenoma; treated medically with dopamine agonists (bromocriptine)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Sheehan syndrome is postpartum pituitary necrosis due to severe hemorrhage."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Kallmann syndrome is delayed puberty and anosmia (failure of GnRH neurons to migrate)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) is the most common genetic cause of male hypogonadism."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Turner syndrome (45, X) presents with short stature, webbed neck, and streak ovaries."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is associated with advanced maternal age and duodenal atresia."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18) presents with rocker-bottom feet and clenched hands."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) presents with cleft lip/palate, polydactyly, and holoprosencephaly."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive defect in the CFTR channel (chromosome 7)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant trinucleotide repeat (CAG) disorder on chromosome 4."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Marfan syndrome is a defect in fibrillin-1; presents with tall stature, lens dislocation, and aortic root dilation."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Neurofibromatosis type 1 presents with cafe-au-lait spots, neurofibromas, and Lisch nodules."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Neurofibromatosis type 2 is associated with bilateral acoustic neuromas."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tuberous sclerosis is associated with ash-leaf spots, facial angiofibromas, and renal angiomyolipomas."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Sturge-Weber syndrome presents with a port-wine stain (V1 distribution) and leptomeningeal angioma."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Von Hippel-Lindau disease is associated with hemangioblastomas and bilateral renal cell carcinomas."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Myasthenia gravis is caused by autoantibodies against the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Lambert-Eaton syndrome is caused by antibodies against presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Guillain-Barre syndrome is an ascending demyelinating polyneuropathy, often post-Campylobacter infection."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Multiple sclerosis is a central demyelinating disease; presents with oligoclonal bands in CSF."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects both upper and lower motor neurons."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Parkinson's disease is due to loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia; associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Lewy body dementia presents with fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonism."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Frontotemporal dementia (Pick's disease) presents with early changes in personality and behavior."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Wernicke's encephalopathy triad: confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia (thiamine deficiency)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Korsakoff syndrome involves irreversible anterograde amnesia and confabulation."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Schizophrenia requires symptoms for at least 6 months; schizophreniform is 1-6 months."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Bipolar I requires a manic episode; Bipolar II requires a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Major depressive disorder requires at least 2 weeks of depressed mood or anhedonia."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Anorexia nervosa involves significantly low body weight; bulimia involves compensatory behaviors without significantly low weight."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Serotonin syndrome: altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity (clonus)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): 'lead-pipe' rigidity, high fever, autonomic instability (due to antipsychotics)."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary, repetitive movements (lip-smacking) after chronic antipsychotic use."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Acetaminophen overdose antidote: N-acetylcysteine."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Benzodiazepine overdose antidote: Flumazenil."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.
"Opioid overdose antidote: Naloxone."
Why: High-yield clinical fact for rapid review.