What are common presentations and management strategies for urgent care visits in patients of various ages and with different medical histories, including those with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes?

Common Urgent Care Presentations and Management

Chest Pain/Acute Coronary Syndrome

Any patient with chest discomfort lasting >20 minutes, hemodynamic instability, or syncope requires immediate ED referral, not urgent care management. 1

Triage Recognition Criteria

• Central/substernal crushing chest pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness 1
• Pain radiating to neck, jaw, shoulders, back, or one or both arms 1
• Associated dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausea/vomiting 1
• Unexplained indigestion or epigastric pain 1

High-Risk Features Requiring Immediate 9-1-1 Activation

• Chest discomfort unimproved or worsening after 5 minutes 1
• For patients already prescribed nitroglycerin: symptoms not completely resolved after 3 doses (given every 5 minutes) 1
• Heart rate <40 or >100 bpm 1
• Systolic BP <100 or >200 mmHg 1
• Respiratory rate >24/min 1
• Oxygen saturation <90% 1

Atypical Presentations to Recognize

• Women present more frequently with atypical chest pain and symptoms 1
• Diabetic patients may have atypical presentations due to autonomic dysfunction 1
• Elderly patients may present with generalized weakness, syncope, or altered mental status rather than chest pain 1

Urgent Care Action

• Obtain stat 12-lead ECG within minutes of presentation 1
• Chew aspirin 162-325 mg immediately (unless contraindicated) 1
• Call 9-1-1 for emergency transport—do not attempt to drive patient yourself 1
• Administer oxygen if available 1

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Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Patients unable to complete sentences in one breath, with respiratory rate >25/min, heart rate >110 bpm, or peak expiratory flow <50% predicted require immediate treatment and likely hospital admission. 1

Severity Assessment

Severe Asthma Features: 1

• Cannot complete sentences in one breath
• Respiratory rate >25 breaths/min
• Heart rate >110 beats/min
• Peak expiratory flow (PEF) <50% of predicted or personal best
• Use of accessory respiratory muscles
• Silent chest, cyanosis, or feeble respiratory effort

Life-Threatening Features: 1

• Altered consciousness, confusion, or exhaustion
• Bradycardia or hypotension
• Oxygen saturation <90% 1
• Silent chest with poor respiratory effort 1

Immediate Treatment Protocol

First-line therapy: 1

• Oxygen 40-60% immediately 1
• Nebulized salbutamol 5 mg OR terbutaline 10 mg via oxygen-driven nebulizer 1
• If no nebulizer available: 2 puffs of β-agonist via large volume spacer, repeat 10-20 times 1

Corticosteroids: 1

• Prednisolone 30-60 mg orally OR
• IV hydrocortisone 200 mg 1

If life-threatening features present: 1

• Add ipratropium 0.5 mg nebulized 1
• Consider IV aminophylline 250 mg over 20 minutes (caution if already on theophyllines) 1
• Obtain chest radiograph to exclude pneumothorax 1

Reassessment at 15-30 Minutes

• If severe features persist: arrange immediate hospital admission 1
• If improved but not normalized: repeat nebulized treatment and observe 1

Discharge Criteria and Management

Only discharge if: 2, 3

• PEF >70% predicted 4
• Minimal symptoms on discharge medications for 24 hours 4
• Patient demonstrates correct inhaler technique 3

Mandatory discharge interventions: 3

• Prescribe oral corticosteroids for 3-10 days (e.g., prednisone) 3
• Initiate or increase inhaled corticosteroids 3
• Provide written asthma action plan with color-coded zones 2
• Teach and verify correct MDI technique with spacer device—have patient demonstrate back 3
• Schedule follow-up within 24 hours for severe exacerbations, 48 hours for moderate 2

Vaccination before discharge: 4

• Administer 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (asthma is high-risk condition at any age) 4
• Consider influenza vaccine if clinically stable 4
• Do not delay discharge for vaccination if other criteria met 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Discharging without written action plan (verbal instructions insufficient) 3
• Failing to schedule follow-up before discharge 3
• Prescribing <3 days of corticosteroids (insufficient to prevent relapse) 3
• Not verifying inhaler technique 2, 3

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Pediatric Asthma in Urgent Care

Color-Coded Action Plan Zones 2

Green Zone (Well-Controlled): 2

• No symptoms or minimal symptoms
• Continue daily controller therapy (low-dose ICS: fluticasone 100-250 mcg twice daily) 2
• Use SABA only as needed for exercise or occasional symptoms 2

Yellow Zone (Caution): 2

• Increased symptoms, cough, or mild wheezing
• Use SABA every 4 hours as needed at home 2
• Contact clinic if symptoms persist or worsen 2

Red Zone (Medical Alert): 2

• Inability to complete sentences in one breath 2
• Respiratory rate >25 breaths/min 2
• Heart rate >110 beats/min 2
• PEF <50% predicted 2
• Use of accessory muscles or audible wheezing 2
• Requires immediate medical attention 2

Home Treatment (if appropriate): 2

• Salbutamol nebulized 5 mg OR 1 puff every few seconds via volumetric spacer (up to 20 puffs) 2
• Prednisolone oral 1-2 mg/kg (maximum 40 mg) single dose 2
• Oxygen if available 2

Hospital Admission Criteria 2

• Any life-threatening feature present 2
• Persistent severe symptoms after initial treatment 2
• PEF <33% predicted after treatment 2
• Concerns about family's ability to manage at home 2

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Anaphylaxis Recognition and Management

When to Use Epinephrine Autoinjector 1, 5

• Severe allergic reaction with respiratory compromise 1
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or throat tightness 1
• Signs of shock: pallor, weakness, dizziness 5
• Multiple body systems involved (skin + respiratory or cardiovascular) 1

Post-Injection Counseling 5

• Common reactions: increased heart rate, palpitations, sweating, nausea, anxiety 5
• Symptoms usually subside rapidly with rest and recumbent positioning 5
• Warn about possibility of symptom recurrence—obtain proper medical attention if symptoms return 5
• Diabetic patients may develop increased blood glucose 5
• Seek medical care for signs of injection site infection: persistent redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness 5

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General Urgent Care Principles

Patient Perception vs. Clinical Urgency

• 44% of patients believe they need immediate care, but only 12.6% actually require attention within minutes per physician assessment 6
• 25% of patients requiring immediate attention do not recognize urgency and think they can wait 6
• Most patients (70%) presenting to urgent care/ED need care within 13 hours 6

Effective Communication Strategy

Ask "Is there SOMETHING else you want to address today?" rather than "Is there ANYTHING else?" 7

• The "SOMETHING" phrasing eliminates 78% of unmet concerns 7
• Does not increase visit length 7
• Dramatically improves patient satisfaction and completeness of care 7

High-Risk Populations for Repeat Visits 8

• Medicaid participants 8
• Children age 1-5 years 8
• Males more than females 8
• Patients with one prior low-urgency visit are 2× more likely to return 8
• Patients with two or more prior visits are 5× more likely to return 8

Role of Advanced Practice Providers 9

• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants effectively manage common acute minor illnesses 9
• Benefits include decreased costs, enhanced physician capacity, and decreased wait times while maintaining high standards of care 9