Emergency Medicine Board Bombs

Testicular torsion and tension pneumothorax are two classic emergency medicine diagnoses where waiting for another test can cause harm. In this Immediate Action episode, we review when to stop imaging and start treating. Want to experience the greatest in board and CME studying? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 293. Testicular Torsion and Tension Pneumothorax: treat before imaging. September 1, 2026. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

VT vs SVT with aberrancy is one of the classic EKG debates in emergency medicine...but honestly the debate itself is the problem. In this episode, we simplify the approach. Let's talk why one diagnosis should remain at the top of your differential, why a stable patient can absolutely still be in VT, and which EKG findings can make the diagnosis much easier. Also, we have a MEGA announcement regarding a new way of CME here at EMBB! Want to experience the greatest in board and CME studying? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Husain, Iltifat. 292. VT vs SVT With Aberrancy: Stop Debating Wide-Complex Tachycardia? Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

A bruise may be harmless—or it may be the first visible sign of serious child abuse. In this episode, we review non-accidental trauma in the ED, including the historical clues, physical examination findings, injury patterns, and inconsistencies that should raise concern for abuse. Special thanks to Nicole Kopel, MD from the University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine Residency, who researched and wrote the script for this episode. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Kopel, Nicole; Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 291. Non-Accidental Trauma: Recognizing Child Abuse Before It’s Missed. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

A cirrhotic patient with ascites presents confused—but no fever or abdominal pain. Should you just treat hepatic encephalopathy, or are you missing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)? In this episode of EM Board Bombs, we review when diagnostic paracentesis is indicated, why ammonia levels are often misleading, the diagnosis and evidence-based management of SBP in the ED. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Husain, Iltifat. 290. Should every ED cirrhosis patient get a paracentesis? Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What should you do when a patient presents after radiation exposure? In this episode of EM Board Bombs, filmed on location at White Sands National Park, we review the emergency department approach to acute radiation syndrome (ARS), including exposure assessment, decontamination, diagnosis, laboratory monitoring, and lifesaving treatment. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 289. Radiation Poisoning: Emergency Medicine Review. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Managing mild traumatic brain injury can be challenging in the ED. Which patients need admission? Who requires repeat imaging? And who can safely go home without any imaging? In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jeff Cloyd, Medical Director of UT LIFESTAR, to discuss the Modified Brain Injury Guidelines (mBIG) and how they help emergency physicians risk stratify patients with mild traumatic brain injury and traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. We also discuss the upcoming UT LIFESTAR Emergency & Trauma Symposium on August 19, featuring cutting-edge trauma and emergency medicine education. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Cloyd, Jeff. 288. Managing Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the ED. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sometimes in EM, less thinking is a good thing. It's one of the most important concepts in EM board preparation: recognizing when immediate action is required before additional testing. Through high-yield board-style cases, we review common exam traps and the critical interventions that should never be delayed. Whether you’re preparing for ABEM boards, in-training exams, or simply want to sharpen your emergency medicine decision-making, this episode focuses on the moments where acting quickly changes patient outcomes...for real. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 287. Critical Decision moments in EM: when the right answer is act now. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pulmonary embolism ECG findings are one of the most commonly tested Emergency Medicine board topics — and one of the easiest places to get tricked. Let's quickly cover what is the right answer on boards, and how in real life there is an even better option. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 286. The PE ECG Finding Everyone Memorizes… But Gets Wrong. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this special Rapid Bombs Premium preview, we’re talking about how to treat intractable nausea and vomiting in the ED like a boss. This episode gives you a taste of the Rapid Bombs format: fast, practical, high-yield EM teaching built for boards, residency, and real-life clinical decision-making. We’ll walk through key treatment options, antiemetic strategy, common pitfalls, and what to think about when the usual “Zofran and fluids” approach is not cutting it. We’re also dropping details for our SAEM26 Atlanta meet-and-greet : Tuesday, 5/19 12–2 PM Jittery Joe’s at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, GA Come hang out with us, say hello, talk EM, and grab some EM Board Bombs / Rapid Bombs merch while it lasts. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 285. How to Treat Intractable Nausea and Vomiting Like a Boss. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Let's talk airway superiority. Rapid sequence intubation is not just “push the meds and pass the tube.” In this episode, we break down 5 RSI pitfalls in emergency medicine that can derail an emergency airway — from poor preoxygenation and peri-intubation hypotension to medication errors, lack of backup planning, and missed post-intubation priorities. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 284. 5 RSI pitfalls every EM clinician should avoid. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Distinguishing sneaky necrotizing fasciitis from cellulitis can be very difficult, especially early on. Let's talk high-yield, subtle clinical clues, red flags, and decision-making strategies every emergency clinician must know. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 283. Nec Fas vs cellulitis. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this high-yield collaboration, we team up with ED pharmacist @lilpharma2026 to break down essential emergency medicine pharmacy pearls you need for both boards and real-world practice. Is Sux really that evil? What are your go-to meds post intubation? And is adenosine finally dead? Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Briscoe, Abbi. 282. EM Pharmacy Pearls. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Status epilepticus sounds like a Harry Pottery spell, but is actually a neurologic emergency. It requires rapid recognition and immediate intervention to prevent permanent brain injury and death. In this episode, we break down the step-by-step management of seizures that won’t stop. This is a quick refresher with the latest evidence- also what you will be tested on. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 281. Status Epilepticus: what to do when seizures won’t stop. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we break down 5 rapid-fire emergency medicine pearls that are high-yield for both ABEM board preparation and real-world ED practice. These are quick clinical insights and you will walk away wishing you knew them before your last shift. Serious FOMO, we promise. Bonus Content: We also recorded five additional rapid EM pearls exclusively for Rapid Bombs premium subscribers, available only on the premium podcast feed. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 280. 5 EM pitfalls you wish you knew earlier. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

You wanted more?? In Part 2 of our ICU Pearls series with renowned EM/Critical Care physician Dr. Haney Mallemat (@criticalcarenow), we move beyond the basics and dive into high-impact critical care strategies every emergency physician should know. These are the practical, real-world ICU concepts that change outcomes — and that often get missed during the transition from the ED to the ICU. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Mallemat, Haney. 279. ICU Pearls Every EM Doc Should Know (Part 2). Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

What are the low-hanging ICU pearls that every emergency physician should know? In Part 1 of this high-yield series, we sit down with renowned EM/Critical Care physician Dr. Haney Mallemat (@criticalcarenow) to break down practical, immediately applicable critical care insights for the ED. We focus on the simple decisions that make a massive difference before the patient ever reaches the ICU. One of these pearls is so easy to do, it involves a simple bedside maneuver! This episode is packed with actionable clinical pearls you can apply on your very next shift. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake; Mallemat, Haney. 278. ICU Pearls Every EM Doc Should Know (Part 1). Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Yes, lightning strikes are rare, but when they happen, they’re high-stakes and it’s high-yield for boards. Recorded live from the Grand Canyon National Park, this episode breaks down the emergency evaluation and management of lightning strike injuries, including classic myths, unique pathophysiology, ECG findings, and lifesaving priorities in the ED. We cover why lightning victims may look dead but aren’t, when to worry about arrhythmias, how lightning differs from high-voltage electrical injuries, and the critical board-relevant pearls every emergency clinician should know. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 277. Lightning strikes: emergency management and myths. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Time is tooth. Look around. Can anyone else reimplant a tooth like you can (besides a dentist)? You are the emergency dentist. In this episode, we break down tooth avulsion management in the ED, focusing on when to reimplant a tooth at the bedside and how to do it correctly. We cover the step-by-step reimplantation process, splinting options you can actually pull off in the ED, and the mistakes that cost patients their teeth (and board exam points). Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake. 276. How to reimplant an Avulsed Tooth in the ED. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Normal labs. Normal vitals. Normal-looking patients — and catastrophic misses. In this Rapid Bombs–style episode, we break down five classic Emergency Medicine traps that routinely fool learners and practicing clinicians. These are the questions the boards love and the mistakes the ED punishes. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain. 275. Tox & Cardiology Traps That Kill. Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠

In Part 2 of this topic on diverticulitis, we cover risk stratification, red flags, and when antibiotics are appropriate. Learn how to safely discharge diverticulitis patients without antibiotics, counsel them effectively, and avoid common medico-legal pitfalls. This is outpatient diverticulitis management the way boards (and modern practice) expect it. Want to experience the greatest in board studying? ⁠⁠Check out our interactive question bank podcast- the FIRST of its kind here⁠⁠ Cite this podcast as: Briggs, Blake, Husain, Iltifat, Wosiski-Kuhn, Marlena. 274. Diverticulitis: Outpatient Management Without Antibiotics (Part 2). Accessed [date]. ⁠⁠⁠Check out our Youtube channel!⁠⁠⁠