Cases

Clinical Case Studies

Interactive cases for clinical decision-making practice

Specialty:

Complexity:

Total Cases

71

Specialties

18

Beginner

10

AI Generated

35

Advanced
AI

Pancreatic Cancer - Painless Jaundice

Gastroenterology

Yellow eyes and skin with dark urine

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate obstructive (conjugated) from hemolytic (unconjugated) jaundice
  • Recognize painless jaundice as red flag for malignancy
⏱️ 30 minutes
Advanced
AI

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Infectious Disease

Two days of fever and confusion after camping

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize classic RMSF rash distribution (wrists/ankles to centrally, palms/soles)
  • Identify thrombocytopenia and hyponatremia as lab clues
⏱️ 20 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Hepatic Encephalopathy with Cirrhotic Ascites

Gastroenterology

Worsening abdominal distension and confusion

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize hepatic encephalopathy and grade severity
  • Perform and interpret ascitic fluid analysis including SAAG and cell count
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Child

Pediatrics

Pale child with sudden bruising and petechiae

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize clinical presentation of childhood leukemia
  • Identify pancytopenia and blasts on CBC
⏱️ 30 minutes
Advanced
AI

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - Thunderclap Headache

Neurology

Severe headache, worst of life, with vomiting

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize thunderclap headache as red flag for subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Interpret CT findings of SAH
⏱️ 30 minutes
Advanced
AI

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Emergency

Acute confusion and lethargy with high glucose

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the diagnostic triad of DKA (hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis)
  • Calculate anion gap and corrected sodium
⏱️ 30 minutes
Advanced
AI

Long QT Syndrome with Torsades de Pointes

Cardiology

Periods of passing out and palpitations

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify long QT syndrome on ECG and calculate QTc
  • Recognize torsades de pointes and risk factors
⏱️ 25 minutes
Beginner
AI

Early Lyme Disease - Erythema Migrans

Infectious Disease

New rash and joint pain after hiking

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize classic erythema migrans rash of early Lyme disease
  • Identify endemic tick exposure as key risk factor
⏱️ 15 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Neurology

Falls and behavioral changes in a 70-year-old

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the classic triad of normal pressure hydrocephalus
  • Interpret neuroimaging features distinguishing NPH from atrophy
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Hematology

Right-sided weakness and abnormal bleeding

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the simultaneous thrombosis and bleeding of DIC
  • Interpret coagulation studies in DIC
⏱️ 25 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Inferior STEMI - RCA Occlusion

Cardiology

Crushing substernal chest pain radiating to left arm

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize STEMI on ECG using ST elevation criteria
  • Apply acute reperfusion pathways (PCI vs fibrinolysis)
⏱️ 25 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis

Gastroenterology

Epigastric pain radiating to back with nausea

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose acute pancreatitis using Atlanta classification criteria
  • Identify gallstone etiology and assess severity
⏱️ 20 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Infectious Disease

Cough, weight loss, and night sweats for 2 months

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize clinical and radiographic features of pulmonary TB
  • Implement appropriate diagnostic testing including AFB smear and NAAT
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Epiglottitis - Airway Emergency

Emergency

Acute severe sore throat and fever

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize clinical presentation of acute epiglottitis
  • Identify the thumb sign on lateral neck radiograph
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Wilson Disease - Hepatolenticular Degeneration

Neurology

Behavioral changes, memory problems, and tremor

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the classic triad of Wilson disease: hepatic, neurologic, psychiatric
  • Identify Kayser-Fleischer rings and interpret copper studies
⏱️ 25 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Early Presentation

Internal Medicine

Chronic joint pain and morning stiffness in hands

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA diagnosis
  • Differentiate RA from other inflammatory arthritides
⏱️ 25 minutes
Advanced
AI

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Pediatrics

Bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain for 5 days

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the clinical triad of hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Identify Shiga toxin-producing E. coli as common cause
⏱️ 25 minutes
Beginner
AI

Acute Cholecystitis

Surgery

Right upper quadrant abdominal pain after fatty meals

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the classic presentation of biliary disease
  • Differentiate biliary colic from acute cholecystitis
⏱️ 15 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Resistant Hypertension - Secondary Cause Evaluation

Internal Medicine

Elevated blood pressure found at screening

Learning Objectives:

  • Define resistant hypertension and confirm diagnosis
  • Identify red flags suggesting secondary hypertension
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Delirium Tremens - Severe Alcohol Withdrawal

Emergency

Agitated and seeing things that aren't there

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize delirium tremens as severe alcohol withdrawal
  • Apply CIWA-Ar scoring for symptom-triggered therapy
⏱️ 30 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Hyperthyroidism - Graves' Disease

Internal Medicine

Vision changes, palpitations, tremors for 3 months

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate Graves' disease from other causes of hyperthyroidism
  • Recognize thyroid eye disease as Graves-specific manifestation
⏱️ 25 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Ischemic Stroke - Left MCA Occlusion

Neurology

Sudden weakness on right side and slurred speech

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize stroke warning signs using BE-FAST
  • Distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke on imaging
⏱️ 30 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Sepsis

Pulmonology

Worsening confusion, fever and cough for 3 days

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply CURB-65 and PSI scoring for CAP severity
  • Recognize sepsis criteria in pneumonia
⏱️ 25 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Bacterial Meningitis

Infectious Disease

3 days of fever, headache, and neck stiffness

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize classic meningitis triad
  • Interpret CSF analysis for bacterial vs viral etiology
⏱️ 25 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Acute Appendicitis

Surgery

Acute severe abdominal pain that started as epigastric

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the classic pain migration pattern of appendicitis
  • Apply Alvarado score for clinical decision-making
⏱️ 20 minutes
Advanced
AI

Severe Preeclampsia at 26 Weeks

Obstetrics

26 weeks pregnant with headache, swelling, and visual changes

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose preeclampsia with severe features
  • Initiate magnesium sulfate for seizure prophylaxis
⏱️ 30 minutes
Advanced
AI

Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Emergency

Sudden onset shortness of breath and chest pain

Learning Objectives:

  • Calculate Wells score for PE pretest probability
  • Identify massive vs submassive vs small PE
⏱️ 25 minutes
Beginner
AI

Hypothyroidism - Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Internal Medicine

Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance for 6 months

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify clinical features of hypothyroidism
  • Interpret thyroid function tests
⏱️ 15 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Pulmonology

Excessive daytime sleepiness and loud snoring

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply STOP-Bang screening for OSA risk
  • Interpret polysomnography results including AHI
⏱️ 20 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Acute STEMI in a 58-Year-Old Male

Cardiology

Crushing chest pain for 45 minutes

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize STEMI ECG patterns
  • Understand door-to-balloon timing
⏱️ 30 minutes
Beginner
AI

Psoriasis with Psoriatic Arthritis

Dermatology

Scaly rash on elbows and knees with joint pain

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify psoriasis on physical exam
  • Recognize nail changes in psoriatic disease
⏱️ 20 minutes
Intermediate
AI

Kawasaki Disease in a Toddler

Pediatrics

5 days of high fever with rash and irritability

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize clinical criteria for Kawasaki disease
  • Understand cardiac complications and monitoring
⏱️ 25 minutes
Beginner
AI

Acute Pericarditis

Cardiology

Sharp chest pain worse with deep breathing

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify ECG changes of pericarditis
  • Differentiate from STEMI
⏱️ 20 minutes
Beginner
AI

Atopic Dermatitis in an Infant

Dermatology

Itchy rash on cheeks and creases since 2 months old

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize atopic dermatitis distribution by age
  • Apply the atopic march concept
⏱️ 15 minutes
Beginner
AI

Bronchiolitis in an Infant

Pediatrics

Wheezing and difficulty breathing for 2 days

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize bronchiolitis clinical features
  • Apply supportive care approach
⏱️ 20 minutes
Intermediate

Chest Pain in a 55-Year-Old Male

Cardiology

A 55-year-old male presents with sudden onset crushing chest pain radiating to left arm...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize ACS presentation
  • Differentiate STEMI from NSTEMI
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Acute Shortness of Breath

Pulmonology

A 68-year-old female with history of DVT presents with sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize PE presentation
  • Apply Wells score
⏱️ 25 min
Advanced

Altered Mental Status

Neurology

A 72-year-old brought by family for confusion and right-sided weakness over past 3 hours...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize stroke symptoms
  • Calculate NIHSS
⏱️ 30 min
Intermediate

Severe Abdominal Pain

Emergency Medicine

A 35-year-old female with sudden RLQ pain, fever, nausea, and rebound tenderness...

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose acute appendicitis
  • Assess surgical urgency
⏱️ 15 min
Beginner

Febrile Seizure in Toddler

Pediatrics

An 18-month-old brought to ER after witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 3 minutes...

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate simple vs complex febrile seizure
  • Rule out serious causes
⏱️ 15 min
Advanced

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Endocrinology

A 24-year-old type 1 diabetic presents with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fruity breath...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize DKA presentation
  • Manage fluid and insulin therapy
⏱️ 25 min
Intermediate

Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation

Cardiology

A 70-year-old with CHF history presents unable to breathe, orthopneic, with bilateral leg swelling...

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify HF exacerbation triggers
  • Initiate diuretic therapy
⏱️ 20 min
Beginner

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Pulmonology

A 45-year-old presents with fever, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain for 3 days...

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply CURB-65 score
  • Choose appropriate antibiotics
⏱️ 15 min
Advanced

Status Epilepticus

Neurology

A 30-year-old with epilepsy brought by EMS having continuous seizure for 10 minutes...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize status epilepticus
  • Follow treatment algorithm
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Pulmonology

A 28-year-old with asthma presents unable to speak full sentences, wheezing, using accessory muscles...

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess asthma severity
  • Initiate treatment protocol
⏱️ 15 min
Advanced

Upper GI Bleeding

Gastroenterology

A 60-year-old with history of NSAID use presents with hematemesis and melena...

Learning Objectives:

  • Resuscitate GI bleed
  • Risk stratify with Glasgow-Blatchford
⏱️ 25 min
Advanced

Septic Shock

Critical Care

A 65-year-old nursing home resident with AMS, fever 103°F, hypotension 80/50, HR 130...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize sepsis criteria
  • Implement sepsis bundle
⏱️ 30 min
Advanced

Acute Kidney Injury with Hyperkalemia

Nephrology

A 70-year-old diabetic with CKD presents with weakness. Labs show Cr 4.5, K+ 6.9, ECG shows peaked T waves...

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate AKI types
  • Manage life-threatening hyperkalemia
⏱️ 25 min
Intermediate

Acute Monoarticular Arthritis

Rheumatology

A 52-year-old male presents with sudden severe pain in right great toe, unable to bear weight. Joint is hot, red, swollen...

Learning Objectives:

  • Perform arthrocentesis interpretation
  • Differentiate gout from septic arthritis
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Suspected Meningitis

Infectious Disease

A 22-year-old college student with fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia for 12 hours...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize meningitis signs
  • Perform/interpret LP
⏱️ 30 min
Advanced

Thyroid Storm

Endocrinology

A 45-year-old with known Graves' disease presents with fever 104°F, tachycardia 150, altered mental status...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize thyroid storm
  • Apply Burch-Wartofsky criteria
⏱️ 25 min
Intermediate

Major Depression with Suicidal Ideation

Psychiatry

A 35-year-old presents with 3 weeks of depressed mood, anhedonia, insomnia, weight loss, and passive death wishes...

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess suicide risk
  • Screen for depression
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Acute Pancreatitis

Gastroenterology

A 50-year-old with history of gallstones presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to back, nausea, vomiting...

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply Ranson criteria
  • Manage fluid resuscitation
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Anaphylaxis

Emergency Medicine

A 28-year-old at restaurant suddenly develops facial swelling, throat tightness, difficulty breathing, urticaria...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize anaphylaxis criteria
  • Administer epinephrine correctly
⏱️ 15 min
Beginner

Pediatric Dehydration

Pediatrics

A 10-month-old with 3 days of watery diarrhea, decreased wet diapers, sunken fontanelle, dry mucous membranes...

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess dehydration severity
  • Calculate fluid deficit
⏱️ 15 min
Advanced

Acute Ischemic Stroke - tPA Decision

Neurology

A 68-year-old with sudden left-sided weakness and aphasia 90 minutes ago. NIHSS score 14, BP 185/100...

Learning Objectives:

  • Calculate NIHSS
  • Assess tPA eligibility
⏱️ 30 min
Intermediate

COPD Exacerbation

Pulmonology

A 65-year-old smoker with increased dyspnea, productive cough with green sputum. SpO2 86% on RA...

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess COPD severity
  • Initiate treatment protocol
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Hypertensive Emergency

Cardiology

A 55-year-old presents with severe headache, BP 220/130, blurred vision, and confusion. No medication history...

Learning Objectives:

  • Distinguish emergency from urgency
  • Choose appropriate IV agent
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Acute Liver Failure

Gastroenterology

A 35-year-old with jaundice, confusion, INR 4.5, ammonia 150. Reports taking acetaminophen for headaches...

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify causes
  • Assess transplant candidacy
⏱️ 30 min
Intermediate

Iron Deficiency Anemia Workup

Hematology

A 45-year-old female with fatigue, pallor. Labs show Hgb 8.5, MCV 72, ferritin 8, RDW 18%...

Learning Objectives:

  • Interpret iron studies
  • Identify underlying cause
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Bipolar Mania

Psychiatry

A 28-year-old brought by police for erratic behavior, pressured speech, grandiose delusions, no sleep for 4 days...

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose manic episode
  • Assess safety
⏱️ 25 min
Advanced

Tension Pneumothorax

Critical Care

Trauma patient with absent breath sounds on right, tracheal deviation left, hypotensive, distended neck veins...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize tension pneumothorax
  • Perform needle decompression
⏱️ 15 min
Intermediate

Kawasaki Disease

Pediatrics

A 4-year-old with 6 days of high fever, bilateral conjunctivitis, strawberry tongue, rash, and hand swelling...

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply diagnostic criteria
  • Prevent coronary complications
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Giant Cell Arteritis

Rheumatology

A 72-year-old with new temporal headache, jaw claudication, vision changes. ESR 95, CRP 8.5...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize temporal arteritis
  • Prevent blindness
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

HIV/AIDS with Opportunistic Infection

Infectious Disease

A 38-year-old with AIDS (CD4 45) presents with fever, cough, dyspnea. CXR shows diffuse bilateral infiltrates...

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose PCP pneumonia
  • Initiate treatment
⏱️ 30 min
Intermediate

Alcohol Withdrawal

Emergency Medicine

A 55-year-old heavy drinker, last drink 48 hours ago. Now tremulous, diaphoretic, BP 160/95, HR 110...

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess withdrawal severity with CIWA
  • Prevent seizures and DTs
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Atrial Fibrillation with RVR

Cardiology

A 70-year-old presents with palpitations, dyspnea. Irregularly irregular rhythm, HR 155, BP 105/70...

Learning Objectives:

  • Rate vs rhythm control
  • Anticoagulation decision
⏱️ 20 min
Intermediate

Sickle Cell Crisis

Hematology

A 24-year-old with sickle cell disease presents with severe bone pain, chest pain, fever, O2 sat 89%...

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate crisis types
  • Manage pain and hypoxia
⏱️ 25 min
Intermediate

Ectopic Pregnancy

Obstetrics

A 28-year-old presents with 6 weeks amenorrhea, lower abdominal pain, and vaginal spotting. β-hCG 2000...

Learning Objectives:

  • Diagnose ectopic pregnancy
  • Interpret ultrasound
⏱️ 20 min
Advanced

Adrenal Crisis

Endocrinology

A patient on chronic prednisone stopped abruptly. Now presents with hypotension, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize adrenal insufficiency
  • Initiate stress-dose steroids
⏱️ 25 min
Advanced

TTP/HUS

Hematology

A 35-year-old with fever, confusion, anemia. Labs show schistocytes, thrombocytopenia, elevated LDH, AKI...

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize TMA
  • Differentiate TTP from HUS
⏱️ 30 min

Created by Safana Abdullah

For educational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.

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