Emergency Medicine Board Bombs

272. Holiday Heart: Who You Can Actually Cardiovert in the ED

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday Heart Syndrome is back for the season—and so are the AFib patients who swear they “only had a few drinks.” In this high-yield episode, w...

271. PECARN Pediatric Head Trauma — When to CT Kids with Head Injury

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

CT or not CT? That is the PECARN question. Quick hits on when to scan (and when to save that kid from a lifetime of unnecessary radiation).Want to exp...

270. Hypoglycemia- you're not you when you're hungry

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hypoglycemia can mimic anything — from altered mental status to stroke. In this episode, we break down how to recognize, treat, and prevent rebound...

269. Pneumonia Tx- Simplified.

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 2 of our special on PNA. Do all admitted pneumonia patients need IV antibiotics? What if they ate kale chips on arrival? In Part 2, we br...

268. Kale Chips and CAP: Outpatient Pneumonia Treatment- Part 1

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

**This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode**. Your patient believes antibiotics are a conspiracy. But you just diagnosed him with community-acquired pneumon...

267. Crashing Asthmatic: ED Management That Saves Lives

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When wheezing goes silent, things get real. Let's do a rapid-fire breakdown of how to manage life-threatening asthma in the ED — with pearls tha...

266. Spinal Epidural Abscess... with a twist

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A 56-year-old with a punch card’s worth of back pain visits shows up again. Half the time he gets an MRI, the other half he gets Tylenol and a pat ...

265. Beta Blocker Overdose: There's only one real antidote

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is not your grandma's insulin. You need to know how to treat beta blocker overdose- flawlessly. Let's talk first-line antidotes, and life-saving ...

264. How to not miss a Beta Blocker Overdose in the ED

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we chat about a scary OD that honestly we are surprised isn't more common given the incidence of this medication in society. Let's learn how...

263. SCAPE in the ED: Rapid Recognition and Management

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s review the CLASSIC case of Sympathetic Crashing Acute Pulmonary Edema (SCAPE) in the ED with high-yield EM treatment strategy. This plan will ...

PALS in the ED: What Every EM Doc Needs to Know

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we dive into what a labubu is (Blake still doesn't really know). Also we plan to master key PALS concepts for emergency medicine with ...

261. Lateral Canthotomy in the ED: Time is Retina!

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn when and how to perform a lateral canthotomy to prevent blindness in orbital compartment syndrome. A must-know emergency procedure for every EM ...

260. Massive Transfusion Protocol in the ED

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve seen Fast & Furious, you already get the vibe—speed saves lives. In this episode, we break down the Massive Transfusion Protocol (...

259. EM Critical Hits: The Ultimate EM Shelf Podcast for Med Students

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Struggling with the EM Shelf or your Emergency Medicine rotation? We’ve listened. We got you. Check out this free sample episode from EM Critical H...

258. Hantavirus: Desert Killer you can't miss

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This place is stunning—and deadly. Filmed live at Great Sand Dunes NP, home to one of the most lethal infections you’ve never heard of: Hantaviru...

Aspiration Pneumonia in the ED: Diagnosis & Management

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to diagnose and manage aspiration pneumonia in the ED with a twist. There's a board test answer and a "real life" answer for t...

We're LIVE @ SAEM! Come hang on Thursday from 12- 2pm

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re in Philadelphia for SAEM and we want to meet YOU. Swing by our hangout this Thursday 5/15 from 12 to 2pm. We’ll be live on-site, hanging out...

256. Shock and Hypotensive? Do This FIRST

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Master the first 5 minutes of managing a hypotensive patient. Learn how to rapidly identify shock types, apply the RUSH exam, and stabilize critically...

255. Mastering the Oral Boards: Difficult Case Walkthrough

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s tackle an oral boards-style EM case. Watch Blake as he is quizzed by Iltifat on the fly. Learn high-yield strategies, pitfalls, and what exami...

254. Scorpion stings: Live from Death Valley

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore the dangers of scorpion envenomation in this thrilling LIVE-recorded episode from Death Valley, CA. This is an episode you’ll want to watch-...

253. Measles in the ER: one clue you can't ignore!

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Measles is making a comeback! Learn how to recognize key symptoms, prevent misdiagnosis, and manage MMR infections in the emergency department. Stay p...

252. High blood pressure: will your head explode?

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you treat asymptomatic hypertension in the ED? When is it urgent? Emergent? We break down what you need to know, myths, and what really matters...

251. High-Yield Pearls Blitz

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Boost your EM knowledge with high-yield, rapid pearls! In this episode, we cover life-saving tips for thyroid storm, beta-blocker overdose, heat strok...

250. This is Tuberculosis- ain't no hold 'em

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Breathtaking performances at the Grammy’s this year. Speaking of breathtaking, let’s talk TB!Want to experience the greatest in board studying? Ch...

249. Clean kill: when intubation kills your pt

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You intubate... and then your patient codes. What did you do wrong? When is "ABC" the wrong order? Let's dive into this nuanced topic in critical care...

248. Neonatal Jaundice & TikTok

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you imagine how efficient the world would be without TikTok? Maybe we would be better at learning neonatal jaundice. Time to summarize a classic n...

247. Back Pain in the Big Easy

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Live from New Orleans! We're telling you the ultimate secret to managing back pain in the ED. You'll never guess what works the best to treat acute lo...

246. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you can spell it, that's better than most! Let's quickly dispel the myths surrounding this pathology and what you need to know to manage it. Want ...

245. Shock Types in 15 minutes

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re starting off the year strong with a quick review of the 4 major types of shock and your approach to each one. Want to experience the greatest...

244. Sleigh the Complications: Sedation Pitfalls

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ho ho hold still! Let’s talk about the 3 major complications that can happen with procedural sedation in the ED. All is Calm, Until It’s Not. Wan...

243. Enter Sandman: Procedural Sedation

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who needs a sleep medicine fellowship when you can perform procedural sedations as an EM physician? Let's cover fundamental tips and tricks of this co...

242. Glaucoma and TikTok Sun Stare challenge

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t let this condition blindside you... TikTok challengers beware! This is a classic eye pathology that you must respond to in MINUTES. Want to e...

241. Great Stuffing Choke: Peds Airway Obstruction

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You've survived Thanksgiving, now survive managing a pediatric airway obstruction by foreign body. This case will make you wish your in-laws came back...

240. A Salty Solution: SCARY Hyponatremia

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have a short attention span in the ED….so it’s okay to defer hyponatremia to the real nerds (psst internal medicine). But there are a few indic...

239. Torsades & Charcuterie

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're seeing a lot of "bespoke" things lately... but there's only one true bespoke cure for Torsades. Let's cover this HARD board-style question. Wan...

238. Live from Maine! Envenomation at the beach

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are live from Maine while at our podcast retreat (yes that’s a thing). Let’s talk about a classic envenomation. Plus we have a surprise guest j...

237. Board Pearl Blitz Redux

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Back by popular demand! 5 MORE high yield pearls to help you ACE the upcoming boards! If you are a premium member you get access to 10. Want to exper...

236. 5 Rapid Pearls- Potpourri Board Blitz

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

These 5 high yield pearls all share a common thread: helping you ACE the upcoming boards! If you are a premium member you get access to the next 5. ...

235. Coccidiomycos- what??

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We guarantee you'll be able to treat this condition before ever being able to spell it (not to mention pronounce it). Let's quickly cover a not-so-rar...

234. The Littlest Resus: neonatal care

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the Little Resus that could! We are covering Neonatal Resuscitation on this episode, simplifying the most complex, most scary aspects of carin...

233. A can’t-miss neuro emergency!

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are at least 2 can’t-miss-conditions here on this multiple choice question. The Dog Days of summer ended on Labor Day, so let’s start fall w...

232. Traumatic Arrest

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Penetrating and blunt trauma are bread and butter for most emergency physicians. Let's cover the rare, but scary presentation of traumatic arrest. Wa...

231. Chest Trauma: La boîte

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paris Olympics just ended, but we are feeling inspired to talk about la boîte (the box in French). Let's talk chest trauma, both penetrating and blun...

230. PE & Pregnancy

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

PE workup? Sure. Oh by the way they're pregnant...yep. Let's discuss how this is workup needs to be simplified and not feared. Also, say goodbye to VQ...

229. How to deliver a baby in 10 steps

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's cover how to deliver a baby in the ED- no really, you're doing it. OB/GYN is not there. Maybe they're on their way, maybe they're not and then y...

Precipitous Delivery: Free shipping included

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No returns allowed on this package...Let's talk about every EM physician's worst nightmare: vaginal delivery in the ED. It's rare, not fun, and defini...

227. Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake and Iltifat (mostly Blake) geek out over snake trivia, and we cover a classic boards case and management of snake bites. Australians need not li...

226. Pregnant & Can't Breathe

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do we have your attention now? Thought so. And no, before you even ask, you cannot go on diversion. Let’s walk through an odd oral boards case with ...

225. The Deadly D's: cerebellar strokes

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard of the 5 D's of dodgeball. Now it's time to recognize the 5 D's of posterior circulations strokes and fast facts to not miss them. Want ...

224. Malignant Otitis Externa: garlic oil and Reddit

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast is earresistible. Let's chat about this classic, nasty HEENT infection. There are only 3 major key points you need to know for this one s...

223. Hernias: incarcerated or strangled- would you rather?

19 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we chat about common hernias and the 3 major scenarios you will encounter with them in the ED. We also offer you a game of would you rath...

222. Don't miss this case on your oral boards!

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Iltifat tries to stump Blake on the oral boards examination. We drop some high yield knowledge on tips and tricks to help you ace the oral ...

221. Scary cause of neonatal GI bleeding

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are a lot of words associated with neonates... lethargic and bloody-stool should never be two of them. Let's cover this classic neonatal emergen...

220. Pillboxes and the Pituitary

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pituitary?! I thought this was an EMERGENCY MEDICINE podcast? Please don't click away- we will make this lesson quick, entertaining, and painless (wou...

219. Questionable Morels: mushroom poisoning

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have quite the "fungide" to mushroom poisoning and we have so mush to say. Don't be in spore taste, we have just what you need to get well shroom ;...

218. Spider bites: something about Peter Parker?

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We've all done it. We sigh when we see "spider bite" check in because we know it's going to be an abscess. But let's talk about what you ACTUALLY do f...

EMBB Pneumocephalus

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re covering a classic neurosurgical topic, but the answer might fool you… Want to experience the greatest in board studying? Check o...

216. Neonatal TEF: All Bottled up

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who loves taking care of neonates? [no hands raise]. What about taking care of sick neonates? Crickets. Neonates with surgical problems?? Come on! Wa...

215. L.A.S.T. but not least

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At long L.A.S.T. hehe so many puns for this one! Let's talk local anesthetic toxicity and some classic ways to remember this rare pathology. Want to...

214. 99 problems and tPA is one

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we ask an important question- can you use the weather to predict patient's INR levels? ......Newsflash, you cannot. Let's talk tPA and contr...

213. Can’t-miss dermatology pearls

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are just days away from the ITE for residents. Let's throw-down some key derm pearls that will get you several key questions right for the boards! ...

212. Takotsubo: hot chip challenge

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grab your hot chips and get ready to film it for TikTok. Might want to give this a listen first tho...we're counting down the days to the resident ins...

211. Marine exposures: something's fishy

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're talking those impossible-to-remember marine exposures that will always be a thorn in your side on the test. Unless you work on the coast (or Aus...

210. Bowel Obstructions? I'll pass

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re teaching you the process of elimination (hehe) in more ways than one. Let’s chat about classic board presentations and fundamentals of bowel...

209. Bradycardia Part 2: Beat Boxing

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's dive into the heart of the matter, in a few seconds or less. Part 2 on the management of bradycardia, how to transcutaneously pace, and why atro...

208. Bradycardia: "but my Apple watch told me!"

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Patients really don't like low heart rates. But we all know low heart rates a good thing.... until they're too low. Let's talk about a simple approach...

207. Frostbite & chill?

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're breaking the ice and welcoming you to 2024, the Year of Your Boards. Let's talk about a high-yield wintery EM topic to kick off the year! Want ...

206. Rapid New Year's Board Blitz

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's ring in the New Year's with a rapid fire of high yield cardiac board pearls! Want to experience the greatest in board studying? Check out our i...

205. Bleeding traumas & Ghost Riding

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Time to jump into the holiday spirit by talking about bleeding trauma patients. Practical, real-world knowledge for ALL! Want to experience the great...

204. Temporal Arteritis and Whole Body MRIs

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This may come as a surprise to you, but whole body MRIs don't help in this condition. What's more surprising is that ESR is more helpful than MRI here...

203. Dialysis Emergencies: no, not just hyperK

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if we told you the biggest killer of dialysis patients wasn't hyperkalemia? What that blow your mind? Wait until we talk about Santa... Want to ...

202. Rib fractures: Thanksgiving football gone wrong

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ah Thanksgiving. A time of gratitude, food, and competitive American football. Let's review some high yield aspects of rib fractures and the most simp...

201. Giardia: bring extra pants

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Iltifat and Blake are reunited for an epic camping trip in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Let's talk about a classic protozoan infection, and...

200. Syphilis, or the French disease

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It wasn't our idea to blame the French. That was some Italian's idea. Let's talk about syphilis. This high yield condition will NEVER leave boards. W...

199. Peds Sepsis: Nightmare on Epi Street

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not many things are scarier than a sick child... In the Spirit of Halloween let's cover Pediatric Sepsis- the tricks of the trade and how to not miss ...

198. Just Derm follow up right? JK

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 3 of a bonus session on CAN'T MISS derm pathology. Let's talk scary rashes that should NOT just "follow up in clinic". Want to experienc...

197. Adrenal Crisis: fire the trebuchets!

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're going "full nerd" into the secret scene of renaissance fairs... and you thought carnivals were bad. Let's cover a rare condition that's more com...

196. SSSS…Say it five times fast please

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another bonus episode as we march into board season! We want to showcase our Rapid Bombs Podcast, plus these quick pearls for a classic skin pathology...

195. Stevens Johnson Syndrome: enough said

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stevens Johnson. You must be a pretty bad dude to be named after this condition...Let's talk about this dermatologic nightmare that might be the only ...

194. Skin Rash Mashup Part 1

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're talking about some CLASSIC rashes on this bonus episode. This is a sneak peak into the Rapid Bombs Podcast and all the juicy pearls you get from...

193. Anticoag Reversal: try spelling these drugs

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If there was an option of taking boards or just doing a spelling bee and correct pronunciation on all the anticoagulant drugs, which one would be easi...

192. Schistocytes and Schmears

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anemic? Low platelets? Sick looking? Order the Schmear! Wait, smear. Let's talk about hemolytic anemia and a classic, rare, but "can't-miss" diagnosis...

191. BBQ and brain masses

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Like pork? May want to set down your BBQ sandwich before listening to this episode. Let’s talk about a rare diagnosis and a great differential for b...

190. Cranial artery dissections and Boba tea

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoy going to chiropractors to get your back and neck cracked? Listen to this episode first. Let’s talk about a scary, uncommon cause of stroke in ...

189. Sepsis: burn the stopwatches

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We promise this isn't clickbait. Hospital administrators take note. We're covering what's important in sepsis care. Take a guess what we won't be cove...

188. Hemophilia: if paper cuts could kill

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You spent wayyyyy too much time learning G6PD in med school. Don’t remember that? Yeah, we don’t either. But it’s okay- time to cover a much mor...

187. Rabies: don't mess with skunks

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Skunks, bats, foxes, dogs, and even raccoons. Friendly Disney animals? Not anymore. Let’s talk about rabies- when to vaccinate, when not to, and goo...

186. Is charcoal EVER the right answer?

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re covering a unique overdose you might have seen before: bupropion. Also, we’re covering some weird pearls for toxicology. Let’s get to it i...

185. IBD, Toxic Megacolon, and Pro-Wrestlers

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you could start a pro-wrestler team, it would be Toxic Megacolon, obvi. The real question is what's the finishing move? Let’s chat Inflammatory ...

184. Neonatal Fever: tiny humans, big infections

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s already July again? Hello new interns! Hopefully you don’t have the worst luck ever and are starting in the Pediatric ED… but let's be hone...

183. Epiglottitis: video killed the radio star

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As they say in the business, video killed the radio star. This week is our grand opening of our Video podcast. You can now see our smiling faces on Yo...

182. Hypotensive, but sweet: a deadly combo

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re giving you a preview of our Rapid Bombs Podcast this week. Check out our video-format on Youtube as well! Want to experience the greatest in ...

181. Curtain Call: Retinal Detachment

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Flashes, floaters, and other vision changes. Nothing will help you in the history or exam to diagnose a retinal detachment in the ED. Your saving grac...

180. Minor Burn Management: Sick Burn Bro!

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Need water on that burn brah? Yes actually. Just don’t use hydrogen peroxide. Let’s stop the transfers of these easy minor burns. Keep it simple a...

179. Retropharyngeal Abscess and Top Gun

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Call Goose and Maverick. We’re diving into the Danger Zone to cover RPAs. These sneaky infections can really cause serious morbidity and mortality. ...

178. Eye Irrigation and tide pod challenge (yes, its back!)

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Things are so crazy on TikTok now they are running out of challenges. time to recycle old ones? Enter the Tide pod challenge. Let’s talk eye irrigat...

177. Wrist Fractures: Live from SAEM'23!

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marlena and Iltifat are LIVE from SAEM’23. This is their recording from the conference. We cover all wrist fractures, what you need to know, how to ...

176. Lemierre's syndrome: Mon Dieu!

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lemierre’s Syndrome? Sacrébleu! This is a nasty, rare complication of pharyngitis, but it’s much more common than Rheumatic fever. Let’s nail t...

Acute Urinary Retention: how to impress your urologist

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We tell you in a few easy steps how to make your urologist love you. You shouldn't be consulting them for the vast majority of your acute urinary rete...

174. Cardiogenic Shock: the heart doesn't care about your sepsis protocol

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hypotensive patient? Just reflexively give 30 cmL/kg, trend lactates, and broad spec antibiotics right? NOPE. Turns out, the heart could really care l...