Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Gynecologic Causes of Abdominal and Pelvic Pain: Diagnosis and Management

Urgent Message: Abdominal and pelvic pain are common presentations to urgent care. Clinicians need to maintain a broad differential to make the correct diagnosis and offer appropriate treatment. Anisah Chauhdry, MS; Naushair Hussain, DO; Michael B. Weinstock, MD Keywords: pelvic pain; ectopic pregnancy; pelvic inflammatory disease; ovarian torsion; ovarian cysts; dysmenorrhea Editor’s Note: The patient case scenario is hypothetical to enhance educational value. Abstract Causes of abdominal and pelvic pain in reproductive-aged women include many …

Shortness of Breath in Pregnancy: Differentiating Physiology from Pathology in Urgent Care

Urgent Message: As shortness of breath and edema are common in pregnancy, urgent care clinicians must distinguish patients with normal physiologic changes from those with emergent conditions like venous thromboembolism, hypertension, eclampsia, and cardiomyopathy. John Ramos, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-EM Key Words: Ambulatory Care; Differential Diagnosis; Dyspnea; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular Abstract Background: Physiologic changes in pregnancy contribute to shortness of breath and edema. However, these symptoms can also be caused by serious etiologies including …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Headache

Urgent Message: Both common and serious postpartum conditions may present in urgent care. Headache presentations should prompt consideration for possible postpartum preeclampsia, cerebral venous thrombosis, or post-dural puncture headache. 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 – Headache. J Urgent Care Med. 2025; 19(6): 23-30 Key Words: headache, postpartum, …

Clinical Review of Current Best Practices for Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment in the Urgent Care Setting

Urgent Message: Patients may present with needs surrounding tuberculosis (TB) screening, testing, and treatment to urgent care centers. There is considerable nuance in the approach to these scenarios with consequences for both patient and public health. Urgent care centers should develop clear guidelines for ensuring clinicians select the appropriate TB test for each patient and interpret the results accurately. Erin Loo, PA-C; Lindsey E. Fish, MD Citation: Loo E, Fish LE. Clinical Review of Current …

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