Hemoptysis
Abstract: 20yo M presents with chief complaint of hemoptysis. Further examination reveals tachycardia, dilated pupils, hypotension, wheezing, halitosis, and coated tongue. Diagnostic tests were performed, but the patient left AMA before results were obtained. Patient was found dead the next morning. An autopsy was not performed but death was presumed due to hypothermia exacerbated by hypovolemic shock of undetermined etiology.
Note: This is not a happy case report.
Note: This is a work of FICTION! IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
Note: I know you're not dead until you're warm and dead, but since I created the character, I can pronounce him dead.*
MeSH:
Differential Diagnosis
Emergency Service, Hospital
Fatal Outcome
Hematologic Tests
*Hemoptysis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
*Treatment Refusal
The shades of night were falling fast.
Into the ED lobby passed.
A youth who bore midst snow and ice,
A symptom that is not so nice:
Hemoptysis!
His heart was rapid, pupils wide
So found the nurse at his bedside.
With low blood pressure, wheezing lung,
With foetid breath and coated tongue.
Hemoptysis!
"We don't know why you're coughing blood
With clots just like a flower bud.
We need to find what's wrong with you
And craft a diagnosis true."
Hemoptysis!
"Tuberculosis you may have
That won't be cured with just a salve.
Pneumonia or diphtheria
Or some kind of bacteria."
Hemoptysis!
"Blood sample first, so hence the jab
And we can send it to the lab.
Non-con CT to see your chest;
An x-ray will fill in the rest."
Hemoptysis!
"It takes two hours for your blood checks,
We need to test your sputum next.
A good productive cough for me,
And then we'll do an EKG."
Hemoptysis!
The youth grew restive, looked around
At patients sick, at patients gowned
No other one presented with
The thing he had, was it a myth?
Hemoptysis!
"I've been here hours, it's half past three!
It is to homeward I must be!
I'll leave against the doc's advice,
And venture out midst snow and ice!"
Hemoptysis!
The nurse's visage showed alarm
"If you leave now 'twill do you harm.
Lie back in bed and get some rest
While we perform another test."
Hemoptysis!
"I must leave now, I must go home!
My bed's been calling since the gloam!"
He left against the doc's advice!
He ventured out midst snow and ice!
Hemoptysis!
Dawn's rosy fingers shone a light
Upon the snow and ice so bright.
The youth lay there no longer warm,
Death's grip on his ensanguined form.
Hemoptysis!
*A deep voice echoes through the room: "Him dead!"
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