Tag: Diuretics

Posted on

Sodium and Potassium for ER residents


Yesterday I lectured the St John ER residency program. The ER residency has an impressive commitment to education. They set aside a half day every wednesday for their resident to get dedicated didactic time. They have great attendance with a good number of attendings showing up.

I have been asked to give three lectures and yesterday was the first. I gave a double lecture (running time about 90 minutes) on sodium and potassium. The fact that I could run over the standard 50 minute alotment normally given for medicial education is due to the fact that they have blocked an entire afternoon rather than try to shoehorn a lecture into lunch or before rounds.

The sodium lecture was the first time I used the Sodium handout I created for the St John IM residents. I gave the lectuer Seder-Style with the residents reading different sections, answering questions and me adding commentary. The ER residents are smart and empowered to ask questions. I felt that there was great two-way interactivity.

Dont Panic Sodium

Sodium iPhone format
Sodium booklet format

The potassium lectuer is an abrdged potassium lecture which is stripped to the bare bones of differential and treatment. It is a traditional powerpoint lecture. Immediately when I started this lectuer I saw about half a dozen exhausted interns fall asleep. My next project is to create a potassium haggadah.

Potassium powerpoint

Posted on

The Acid-Base lecture for the residents of St John Hospital


Today I gave my second lecture of the year for the St John Residency.

I used my Acid-Base workshop handout and added a slide show to facilitate the large group.

I still called on individual residents to answer questions to keep them involved.

I started the lecture with some audience participation. My previous lecture on IV Fluids, diuretics and dysnatremias began with me stating how ubiquitous these subjects were.

I had everyone stand then I asked people to sit down if, in the last three weeks they had not:

  • Used any diuretics: no one sat down
  • Used any IV diuretics: about half a dozen people sat down
  • Used a thiazide diuretic to counter the effect of loop diuretic resistance: lost a lot of people there but still had about a dozen left
  • Used a lasix drip to counter loop diuretic resistance from heart failure: everybody sat down but about 3 residents and the amazing Dr. Dhungel, my first year fellow on the consult service.
  • Used torsemide instead of furosemide for better pharmacokinetics: only Dr Dhungel remained standing.

I then tried to repeat the excercise for IV fluids and dysnatremias but it didn’t work very well. Should have quit after the first one.

When I gave that IV Fluids, diuretics and dysnatremias lecture I didn’t have a hand out. In the last three weeks I have worked up a handout:

iPhone version
Booklet form

Posted on

July first lecture on IVF, Diuretics and dysnatremia


Today I gave the first lecture of the ’08-’09 Academic Year. This was morning report for internal medicine. I did a lecture on IVF, diuretics, total body water and dysnatremia. It was a good lecture but Powerpoint only. I am about half-way done with the killer handout I am working on and am disapointed that I didn’t finish it. Hopefully will have it done for the next lecture in two weeks.

Fluids And Electrolytes July1

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: diuretics sodium)
Posted on

Getting ready for a Fluids and Electrolytes lecture


Only a nephrologist ever capitalizes Fluids and Electrolytes.

I am so excites. I get to give the first lecture on July 1. I love the nervous energy that comes with fresh second years and new interns still getting used to the length of their newly lengthened coats.

I am working over my standard F&E Emergencies. I am putting together a new handout designed to be kept in the pocket. While working on the talk I re-found this classic review of diuretic therapy by Craig Brater. Dr. Brater was elevated to Dean of Indiana University Medical School right before I got married at the end of my residency. We had our rehearsal dinner at this Columbia Club on the Circle. I bumped into Dr. Brater right before dinner and congratulated him on becoming the dean.