MLK ER · THE ROTATION HANDBOOK
The fundamentals.
Always within reach.
Emergency medicine essentials for your rotation. Open a chapter, review the key concepts, and return to the cases to put them into practice.
Inside the handbook
Original handout- 01
Vital Signs & Clinical Reasoning
Recognize early deterioration, interpret vital signs in context, and build a focused differential.
Vital signs · Shock index · Clinical reasoning - 02
Shock
Follow the stages of shock and compare the mechanisms, findings, and high-yield clues.
Stages · Shock types · Hemodynamic comparison - 03
Altered Mental Status
Work through immediate stabilization, reversible causes, examination clues, and disposition.
ABCs · AEIOU TIPS · Delirium · Diagnostic approach - 04
The Poisoned Patient
A structured approach to poisoning, toxidromes, decontamination, and important antidotes.
Toxidromes · ECG clues · Antidotes · Dialysis - 05
ECG Review
Read ECGs systematically, from rhythm and axis to conduction blocks and ischemic patterns.
Rhythms · AV blocks · Ischemia · Electrolytes - 06
Chest Trauma
Recognize the immediate life-threatening chest injuries and connect findings with physiology.
Pneumothorax · Tamponade · Hemothorax · Flail chest - 07
Shortness of Breath
Approach dyspnea across pulmonary, cardiac, metabolic, toxicologic, and endocrine causes.
Pulmonary embolism · Heart failure · Asthma · COPD
Organized from the MLK ER rotation teaching handout. Each chapter includes a link to its original source pages.