Emergency Guide
Diseases Seen in the Emergency Room
What is an Emergency Department? Emergency departments are units that operate 24/7 for conditions that are life-threatening or could cause permanent damage if not treated immediately. However, not every illness is an emergency; knowing this distinction can save lives.
Most Common Emergency Cases
Chest Pain: Pressure-like pain that may spread to the arm or jaw, suggesting a possible heart attack.
Shortness of Breath: Sudden onset breathing difficulty that may cause lip discoloration or interfere with speech (e.g., asthma attack, COPD, heart failure).
Severe Abdominal Pain: Intense pain caused by conditions such as appendicitis, gallbladder attack, or kidney stones.
Trauma: Injuries from traffic accidents, falls from height, head impacts, or suspected fractures.
High Fever: Persistent fever, especially in children, that carries a risk of seizures (39°C / 102.2°F and above).
Stroke Symptoms: Sudden speech difficulties, facial drooping, or weakness in the arm/leg (Stroke).
What is the Triage (Color) System? Upon visiting the emergency department, patients are seen not on a “first-come, first-served” basis, but according to the severity of their condition.
Red Zone: Life-threatening conditions (cardiac arrest, severe trauma). Immediate intervention without waiting.
Yellow Zone: Serious but can wait briefly (abdominal pain, cuts, moderate burns).
Green Zone: No life-threatening risk (sore throat, mild fever, joint pain). These are outpatient cases, so waiting times may be longer.
What Should You Do? If you believe your condition falls into the “Green Zone” (e.g., a common cold), it is recommended to visit outpatient clinics during working hours to avoid increasing emergency department congestion.
Tests Requested in the Emergency Room
Why Are Emergency Tests Different? Tests performed in the emergency department are designed to answer the question, “Is there a life-threatening condition?” rather than for detailed investigation. Therefore, results are much faster than in outpatient clinics (45–60 minutes).
Frequently Requested Critical Tests
Troponin: The most important test for suspected heart attack. Elevated levels indicate damage to the heart muscle.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Determines if there is an infection (WBC), anemia (HGB), or a bleeding/clotting problem (PLT) in the body.
CRP (C-Reactive Protein): Indicates the overall level of inflammation and infection in the body. Can be elevated in conditions like appendicitis.
D-Dimer: Requested when there is a suspicion of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Beta-HCG: Checked in women presenting with abdominal pain to rule out ectopic pregnancy or confirm pregnancy.
Biochemistry (Urea, Creatinine, Electrolytes): Assesses kidney function and the body’s fluid-electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium).
When Do Results Come Out? Emergency laboratories operate with priority. Blood gas tests are ready in 15 minutes, while cardiac enzymes and complete blood counts are typically available within 1 hour.
Imaging Tests Requested in the Emergency Room
Why Are Imaging Tests Requested? Radiological imaging is essential to detect internal organ damage, fractures, or bleeding that cannot be seen through physical examination. In the emergency department, speed is the most important factor.
Most Common Imaging Tests
Chest X-Ray: The first imaging test requested for shortness of breath, suspected pneumonia, or chest trauma.
Computed Tomography (CT): The emergency department’s most powerful tool. Detects brain bleeding in head trauma or appendicitis in abdominal pain within seconds. Involves radiation but can be life-saving.
Ultrasound: Does not involve radiation. Especially preferred for gallstones, kidney stones, and abdominal pain in pregnant patients.
ECG (Electrocardiography): Performed for every patient with chest pain. Provides a paper recording showing the heart’s rhythm and whether a heart attack is occurring.
Is MRI Performed in the Emergency Department? Usually, no. MRI scans take a long time (20–40 minutes). In emergency departments, MRI is not routinely used except in special cases such as suspected stroke or spinal cord injury.
What to Do in the Emergency Room
Step-by-Step Emergency Process: There are procedures to follow upon entering the emergency department to avoid confusion. Following the correct steps speeds up your care.
1. Registration: The patient should go to the “Patient Registration” desk with their ID. For unconscious or critically ill patients, registration can be completed later by relatives; medical intervention always takes priority.
2. Triage (Initial Assessment): After registration, a nurse or paramedic will greet you, ask about your complaints, and measure your temperature and blood pressure. Based on the severity of your condition, you are assigned a color (Red, Yellow, Green) and directed to the appropriate area.
3. Examination and Intervention
Yellow/Red Zone: The patient is placed on a stretcher, an IV line is started, and the doctor sees them immediately.
Green Zone: Patients wait in the waiting area until their turn. The doctor examines them while standing and provides a prescription.
Important Points to Keep in Mind
Do not assume “my turn has been taken” in the emergency department; a patient in a more critical condition (e.g., heart attack) may have arrived. Priority is always given to those with life-threatening conditions.
Do not leave the hospital while waiting for your test results, as your doctor may call you at any moment.
Always have a list or the packaging of the medications you are taking with you.
Is there anything on your mind?
Couldn't find the symptom or test result you were looking for on our website? Please feel free to contact us with any suggestions or questions.