Practice Questions for the MRCEM Primary Exam

Practice Questions for the MRCEM Primary Exam

The MRCEM Primary is a daunting and notoriously difficult prospect and also represents the first step towards achieving a training post in Emergency Medicine and ultimately entering the Specialist Register. The MRCEM Primary examination is sat twice yearly. The paper...
Common Antidotes Used in Toxicology

Common Antidotes Used in Toxicology

An antidote is an agent that counteracts the effects of a poison, toxin, or harmful substance on the body. They are specifically designed to neutralise or reverse the toxic effects caused by the substance, mitigating or preventing further harm and promoting...
Confounding, Bias and Effect Modification

Confounding, Bias and Effect Modification

Confounding factors A confounding factor is a variable that is associated with both the outcome of interest and the exposure of interest. In this constellation, the exposure of interest appears (spuriously) to be associated with the outcome of interest, while in...
Sialolithiasis

Sialolithiasis

Sialolithiasis is a condition where a calcified stone (sialolith) forms within a salivary gland.   The salivary glands The salivary glands are exocrine glands that produce saliva and secrete it into the oral cavity. There are three main salivary glands and...
Muscle Relaxants for the MRCEM Exam

Muscle Relaxants for the MRCEM Exam

Neuromuscular blocking drugs used in anaesthesia are also known as muscle relaxants. By specific blockade of the neuromuscular junction, they enable light anaesthesia to be used with adequate relaxation of the muscles of the abdomen and diaphragm. They also relax the...
The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

“There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.” Homer, The Odyssey   Pulling an ‘all-nighter’  On several occasions over the years, I have decided to ‘pull an all-nighter’ and stay up to study for an exam the following day. On some occasions, it...