Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Shortness of Breath
Urgent Message: Shortness of breath presentations for postpartum patients in urgent care should prompt consideration of venous thromboembolism or peripartum cardiomyopathy, or more benign conditions like deconditioning, bronchitis, or anxiety. Alexa Bailey, DO; Lauren Kostandaras, DO; Hannah Poorman, BS; Michael Weinstock, MD; Catherine Neal, DO. Key Words: Shortness Of Breath, Postpartum, Venous Thromboembolism, VTE, Deep Vein Thrombosis, DVT, Pulmonary Embolism, PE, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Editor’s Note: The patient case scenario is hypothetical. Abstract Background: The postpartum period introduces a broader range of possible diagnoses for shortness of breath complaints seen in …
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Blocking the Pain: Nerve Block in the Treatment of Headache in Urgent Care
Urgent Message: Although greater occipital nerve block has demonstrated positive effectiveness and few risks as a treatment for acute headache, it is not commonly used. With more familiarity, urgent care clinicians may consider it a useful treatment modality. Elizabeth Reynolds, PA-C, MS Key Words: Migraine, Headaches, Nerve Block Abstract Headaches are a common presentation in urgent care clinics. Various medication options are available but can sometimes be limited for use due to allergies, side effects, poor prior treatment response, and contraindications. Multiple studies have shown high success and low risk …
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Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: An Overview of Testing for the Urgent Care Clinician
Urgent Message: Polymerase chain reaction testing is recommended for patients with lesions that could represent herpes simplex virus infection. It is imperative that urgent care clinicians understand the utility and characteristics of such testing as well as the implications of findings. Brittney Tice, FNP, DNP; Joseph Something, PA; Benjamin Zimmerman, PhD Editor’s Note: The patient case scenario is hypothetical. Abstract In the urgent care (UC) setting, patients commonly present with nominal requests for herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing. HSV infections are common, pleomorphic, and associated with significant stigma. This combination …
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Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Vaginal Bleeding and Discharge
Urgent Message: Postpartum vaginal bleeding and discharge have a broad range of etiologies ranging from benign and self-limited to life-threatening. As postpartum patients may present to urgent care centers with concerns for bleeding or discharge, it is important for clinicians to have an understanding of the unique differential diagnosis for causes of hemorrhage in this population. Alexa Bailey, BS; Lauren Kostandaras, BS; Hannah Poorman, BS; Michael Weinstock, MD; Catherine Neal, DO. Citation: Bailey A, Kostandaras L, Poorman H, Weinstock M, Neal C. Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises after Delivery – …
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Urgent Care Evaluation and Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Urgent Message: Spontaneous pneumothorax (PTX) occurs unpredictably. Many patients with spontaneous pneumothorax may initially present to urgent care, so it is important for clinicians to include it in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute chest pain and/or dyspnea. Rarely, a spontaneous pneumothorax can progress to a tension pneumothorax if the diagnosis is delayed. Vrunda Patel, BS; Kevin Radecki, MD Citation: Patel V, Radecki, K. Urgent Care Evaluation and Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax. J Urgent Care Med. 2025; 19(7):17-22 Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside What are the …
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