Back pain and near-faint

Instructions

You are an intern on the general medical ward. It is 2.30 pm, and the nurse asks you to see Aluel Makuei, 76, admitted four days ago with a pulmonary embolism, who has had sudden severe pain in the right side of her lower back and nearly fainted.

1. 1

   Perform an A to E assessment and treat as you go

2. 2

   Outline to the examiner:

   • Your findings
   • Your most likely diagnosis and differentials
   • Next steps in management, including relevant investigations

• A nurse will carry out your instructions
• You do not need to take a full history
• The examiner will give findings and results as you ask for them