Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

A Rare Cardiopulmonary Debut of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Pediatric Case Report

Urgent Message: In adolescents presenting with persistent chest pain and systemic symptoms, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for autoimmune etiologies such as systemic lupus erythematosus causing pericardial and pleural effusions. Asra Usmani, MBBS, MD; Ali Baidoun, MD; Aaron Mahoney, DO; Megan Sikkema, DO Key Words: Pericardial Effusion, Pleural Effusion, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Chest Pain, Adolescent Abstract Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect multiple organ systems. …

21-Year-Old Male With Cough and Night Sweats

A 21-year-old male with no significant past medical history presents to urgent care with a 3-week history of progressive cough, night sweats, dyspnea, and chest discomfort. He denies sore throat, rhinorrhea, sinus congestion, hemoptysis, weight loss, wheezing, tobacco use, or illicit drug use. On examination, vital signs are within normal limits. The patient appears well and not in acute distress. Lung auscultation was clear bilaterally, and the remainder of the initial physical exam is unremarkable. …

United States Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Comprehensive Overview and Relevance To Urgent Care Centers

Urgent Message: Patients frequently utilize urgent care centers for testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. All clinicians can be a first line defense to control the spread and combat the current epidemic. Alexandra Faraj, PA-S; Nadesha Muniz, MS Ed, PA-C Key Words: Sexually Transmitted Infections; Chlamydia; Gonorrhea; Syphilis; Expedited Partner Therapy; Urgent Care Abstract The rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States is a major public health concern. Patients frequently utilize …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – November 2025

Validation of Clinical Predictive Rules in Pediatric Testicular Torsion Take Home Point: In this study, the Testicular Emergency Score for Torsion (TEST) identifies a larger group of patients at low risk for testicular torsion suitable for safe management without Doppler ultrasound compared to the other clinical validation scores. Citation: Valdivieso-Castro M, Vázquez-Gómez L, Olabarri M, et. al. Clinical Prediction Rules for Identifying Children With Testicular Torsion: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Aug …

60-Year-Old With Palpitations

A 60-year-old female presents to urgent care with palpitations that started abruptly 1 hour prior to arrival. She denies recent illness or cardiac history. An ECG is ordered. View the ECG and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the next page.

A 16-Year-Old Male With Rash to Legs, Altered Mental Status and Fever

A 16-year-old male presents to urgent care accompanied by his father due to acute onset of fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, altered mental status, and a lower-extremity rash. Symptoms began earlier the same day. The patient denies recent upper respiratory symptoms, medication use, travel, or trauma. On physical examination, he appears acutely ill and febrile to 103.1°F (39.5°C). Neurologic assessment reveals altered mental status. Dermatologic exam shows retiform, violaceous purpuric plaques with maroon borders on both …

Training Our Teams to Meet the Needs of Our Patients

Countless times over the last year I have heard variations on a “we can’t” theme. It’s a specific and focused “we can’t” related to the services we are not able to provide to our urgent care patients. “We can’t do that test.” “We can’t use that medication in clinic.” “We can’t have our medical assistants do that.” Sadly, it is purely a reflection of education and training. However, as opposed to responding with increased training …

COVID-19 Antiviral Prescribing In Urgent Care By Patient Ethnicity

Urgent Message: This study confirms variable prescription rates among different ethnicities in Aotearoa, New Zealand, for COVID-19 antiviral medication despite efforts to reduce health inequities. M. Adrianne Pimentel, MBChB, MHlthLd, FRNZCUC Key Words: Antiviral Prescribing, COVID-19, Comorbidity Abstract Introduction: In Aotearoa, New Zealand, COVID-19 disproportionately increased mortality and morbidity outcomes in Māori and Pacific patients. In an effort to counteract these health inequities, the government aimed to increase access to COVID-19 antiviral medication for Māori …

24-Year-Old Male Hand Pain After a Golf Game

A 24-year-old male patient presents to urgent care with right wrist pain that started while playing golf 2 days ago. The patient recalls swinging the club and hitting the ground rather than the ball, felt a sharp pain in his hand which has been constant since the incident. He has not tried any treatments at home. The provider notes increased pain when the patient flexes his hand, along with a weakened grip compared to the …

Back Pain From Vertebral Metastases in Prostate Cancer: A Case Report

Urgent Message: Persistent, non-mechanical back pain should raise suspicion for non-muscular causes, and in this case, such pain in an older man was related to a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer with bone involvement. Rimsha Afzal, MA; Gregory M. Thompson, MD Key Words: Vertebral Metastases; Metastatic Prostate Cancer; Urgent Care Diagnosis Abstract Introduction: Back pain is a common presentation in the urgent care center. While the majority of diagnoses are self-resolving and of a musculoskeletal …

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