SAEM COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
EMERGENCY MEDICINE CORE CONCEPTS
AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ Reason to Avoid Suction in Ear Foreign Body Removal
Answer: Perforation of Tympanic Membrane
◉ Management of Skin Abscess
Answer: Linear Incision for Non-Face vs. Needle Drainage for Face
◉ Catheter for Bartholin Cyst
Answer: Word
◉ Grading of Laryngeal Opening
Answer: Cormack-Lehane
◉ Preferred Induction Agent in Reactive Airway Disease for Dilation
Effects
Answer: Ketamine
,◉ Induction Agent Avoided in Sepsis Due To Adrenal Suppression
Answer: Etomidate
◉ Sudden-Onset Back Pain Worsened by Coughing Soon After
Epidural Anesthesia
Answer: Epidural Hematoma
◉ Presentation of Adhesive Arachnoiditis
Answer: Progressive Neuropathy
◉ Tom, Dick, and Very Nervous Harry
Answer: Anterior to Posterior of Medial Ankle: Tibialis Posterior,
Digitorum Longus, Vein, Nerve, Hallucis Longus
◉ Absolute Contra-Indication to Crico-Thyrotomy
Answer: Age Under 5
◉ Anesthesia for Suturing D.I.P. of Finger in Patient with Underlying
Vascular Disease
Answer: Lidocaine (2%) Without Epinephrine Around Digital Nerve
for Fingers, Toes, Penis, Nose
◉ Earliest Sign of Lidocaine Toxicity (Over 5 mg/kg)
,Answer: Lightheadedness (Also Peri-Oral Numbness, Tinnitus,
Visual and Auditory Disturbances, Shivering, Twitching, and
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures)
◉ (1) Avoid Vertical Mattress Sutures.
(2) Avoid Topical Skin Adhesives (Risk of Dehiscence from
Sweating).
Answer: Palm
◉ Glottis Spasm and Chest Wall Rigidity from Sedative (Rapid High
Dose of IV Form)
Answer: Fentanyl (Effects Not Always Reversed by Naloxone)
◉ Management of Long-Lasting L.P. Headache
Answer: Autologous Blood Patch
◉ Timing of Tetanus Prophylaxis
Answer: Within First Few Days (Suture Within First 24 Hours)
◉ Normal C.S.F.-to-Blood Glucose Ratio
Answer: 0.6
◉ Size of Needle Decompression Needle
, Answer: 14 Gauge (2nd Intercostal at Midclavicular Line)
◉ Large Paronychia and Cellulitis
Answer: Removal of Affected Nail Under Digital Block; Start
Antibiotics
◉ Signs of Acute Appendicitis
Answer: 1. Rovsing: Right Lower from Left Lower.
2. Psoas: Extension.
3. Obturator: Rotation.
◉ Suggested by Abdominal Pain Preceding Nausea and Vomiting
Answer: Surgery (Small Bowel Obstruction)
◉ Peak of Gastric Acid Secretion at Rest
Answer: 2 A.M.
◉ Timing of Presentation of Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (Non-
Bilious) vs. Intussusception (Bilious)
Answer: 4 Weeks vs. 8 Months
◉ Over 95% Sensitive and Specific for Renal Stones
EMERGENCY MEDICINE CORE CONCEPTS
AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ Reason to Avoid Suction in Ear Foreign Body Removal
Answer: Perforation of Tympanic Membrane
◉ Management of Skin Abscess
Answer: Linear Incision for Non-Face vs. Needle Drainage for Face
◉ Catheter for Bartholin Cyst
Answer: Word
◉ Grading of Laryngeal Opening
Answer: Cormack-Lehane
◉ Preferred Induction Agent in Reactive Airway Disease for Dilation
Effects
Answer: Ketamine
,◉ Induction Agent Avoided in Sepsis Due To Adrenal Suppression
Answer: Etomidate
◉ Sudden-Onset Back Pain Worsened by Coughing Soon After
Epidural Anesthesia
Answer: Epidural Hematoma
◉ Presentation of Adhesive Arachnoiditis
Answer: Progressive Neuropathy
◉ Tom, Dick, and Very Nervous Harry
Answer: Anterior to Posterior of Medial Ankle: Tibialis Posterior,
Digitorum Longus, Vein, Nerve, Hallucis Longus
◉ Absolute Contra-Indication to Crico-Thyrotomy
Answer: Age Under 5
◉ Anesthesia for Suturing D.I.P. of Finger in Patient with Underlying
Vascular Disease
Answer: Lidocaine (2%) Without Epinephrine Around Digital Nerve
for Fingers, Toes, Penis, Nose
◉ Earliest Sign of Lidocaine Toxicity (Over 5 mg/kg)
,Answer: Lightheadedness (Also Peri-Oral Numbness, Tinnitus,
Visual and Auditory Disturbances, Shivering, Twitching, and
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures)
◉ (1) Avoid Vertical Mattress Sutures.
(2) Avoid Topical Skin Adhesives (Risk of Dehiscence from
Sweating).
Answer: Palm
◉ Glottis Spasm and Chest Wall Rigidity from Sedative (Rapid High
Dose of IV Form)
Answer: Fentanyl (Effects Not Always Reversed by Naloxone)
◉ Management of Long-Lasting L.P. Headache
Answer: Autologous Blood Patch
◉ Timing of Tetanus Prophylaxis
Answer: Within First Few Days (Suture Within First 24 Hours)
◉ Normal C.S.F.-to-Blood Glucose Ratio
Answer: 0.6
◉ Size of Needle Decompression Needle
, Answer: 14 Gauge (2nd Intercostal at Midclavicular Line)
◉ Large Paronychia and Cellulitis
Answer: Removal of Affected Nail Under Digital Block; Start
Antibiotics
◉ Signs of Acute Appendicitis
Answer: 1. Rovsing: Right Lower from Left Lower.
2. Psoas: Extension.
3. Obturator: Rotation.
◉ Suggested by Abdominal Pain Preceding Nausea and Vomiting
Answer: Surgery (Small Bowel Obstruction)
◉ Peak of Gastric Acid Secretion at Rest
Answer: 2 A.M.
◉ Timing of Presentation of Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (Non-
Bilious) vs. Intussusception (Bilious)
Answer: 4 Weeks vs. 8 Months
◉ Over 95% Sensitive and Specific for Renal Stones
