WBM Emergency & Critical Care

BPAP Explained: Indications, Settings, Troubleshooting & Clinical Applications
BPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) is one of the most commonly used forms of noninvasive ventilation in emergency medicine, critical care medicine, respiratory therapy, and hospital medicine. Understanding when to use BPAP, how to adjust settings, and how to recognize treatment failure is essential for clinicians caring for patients with acute respiratory failure.
In this episode, we review the physiology of BPAP, discuss common indications and contraindications, and walk through practical approaches to initiating and troubleshooting noninvasive ventilation. We compare IPAP and EPAP, review oxygenation versus ventilation, and discuss how BPAP can be used to support patients with COPD exacerbations, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and other causes of respiratory failure.
Topics Covered:• What is BPAP?• How BPAP works• IPAP vs EPAP• Oxygenation versus ventilation• Initiating BPAP• Selecting initial settings• FiO₂ adjustments• Backup respiratory rates• Monitoring response to therapy• Common troubleshooting strategies• COPD exacerbations• Cardiogenic pulmonary edema• Hypercapnic respiratory failure• Obesity hypoventilation syndrome• Indications for intubation• Noninvasive ventilation pearls and pitfalls
📺 Watch the full video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTX_8CwZH5I
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• 📄 Study guides for every video• 📋 One Pagers• 🎓 Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• ❓ Practice questions• 🚫 Ad-free videos• 🧠 A structured ICU curriculum
🌐 WhiteBoard Medicine Website:https://whiteboardmedicine.com
Disclaimer:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be based on individual patient circumstances, local protocols, and consultation with appropriate healthcare professionals.

COPD Exacerbation Explained: Oxygen, Bronchodilators, Steroids & Ventilation
Acute exacerbations of COPD are among the most common causes of emergency department visits, hospital admissions, respiratory failure, and ICU admissions. Understanding the pathophysiology of COPD exacerbations and the principles of respiratory support is essential for clinicians caring for critically ill patients.
In this episode, we review the evaluation and management of acute COPD exacerbations, including oxygen therapy, bronchodilator treatment, corticosteroids, antibiotics, noninvasive ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. We also discuss oxygen-induced hypercapnia, the Haldane effect, dynamic hyperinflation, auto-PEEP, and practical considerations when caring for patients with severe airflow obstruction.
Topics Covered:• COPD exacerbation pathophysiology• Common causes and triggers• Oxygen therapy and oxygen saturation targets• Oxygen-induced hypercapnia• The Haldane effect• Bronchodilator therapy• Corticosteroids• Antibiotics in COPD exacerbations• Hypercapnic respiratory failure• Noninvasive ventilation (BPAP)• AVAPS• Indications for intubation• Mechanical ventilation in COPD• Dynamic hyperinflation• Auto-PEEP• Clinical pearls and pitfalls
📺 Watch the full video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0X06HBEnPc
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• 📄 Study guides for every video• 📋 One Pagers• 🎓 Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• ❓ Practice questions• 🚫 Ad-free videos• 🧠 A structured ICU curriculum
🌐 WhiteBoard Medicine Website:https://whiteboardmedicine.com
Disclaimer:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be based on individual patient circumstances, local protocols, and consultation with appropriate healthcare professionals.

Toxicologic emergencies are common in emergency medicine and critical care, yet the underlying physiology and management strategies can become complex quickly. Early recognition and aggressive supportive care are often critical to improving outcomes.
In this ICU toxicology masterclass, we review four high-yield toxicologic emergencies every clinician should recognize:• Beta blocker toxicity• Calcium channel blocker (CCB) toxicity• Salicylate toxicity• Acetaminophen toxicity
Topics discussed include:• Bradycardia and shock physiology• Vasodilatory vs cardiogenic shock• Hyperinsulinemic euglycemia therapy• Glucagon• Calcium therapy• Vasopressors• Salicylate acid-base abnormalities• Respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis• Tinnitus and altered mental status• Acetaminophen metabolism and NAPQI toxicity• N-acetylcysteine (NAC)• ICU and emergency department management pearls
This episode is designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, trainees, and anyone interested in emergency critical care medicine and toxicology.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9881EJ-PZK0 
☠️ Toxicology Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5bMa9_tvRhJ5KnBNdycGFO6k1d_smJX
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) are two life-threatening toxicologic emergencies that every emergency medicine physician, intensivist, hospitalist, nurse, pharmacist, and trainee should recognize early.
In this toxicology deep dive, we review:• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)• Serotonin syndrome• Key clinical differences• Pathophysiology• Causative medications• Hyperthermia• Clonus vs rigidity• Hyperreflexia• Autonomic instability• Elevated CK and rhabdomyolysis• Differential diagnosis• ICU and emergency department management• Supportive care strategies• Cyproheptadine, bromocriptine, and dantrolene
This episode also includes a focused comparison section on how to rapidly differentiate serotonin syndrome from neuroleptic malignant syndrome at the bedside.
This episode is designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, trainees, respiratory therapists, and anyone interested in emergency critical care medicine and toxicology.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWPkutb9oE 
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Nutrition support is a core component of modern critical care medicine, yet ICU feeding strategies can become confusing quickly. When should we use enteral nutrition vs parenteral nutrition? What are trophic feeds? Should we check gastric residual volumes? How do we approach aspiration risk?
In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of ICU nutrition and feeding strategies including:• Enteral vs parenteral nutrition• Gastric vs post-pyloric feeding• Trophic feeds vs full feeds• Aspiration risk• Gastric residual volumes• Tube feeding intolerance• High-risk ICU patients• Protein and calorie considerations• Early enteral nutrition• Contraindications to enteral feeding• Refeeding syndrome• ICU nutrition guidelines and evidence
This episode is designed for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, trainees, dietitians, and anyone interested in emergency critical care medicine.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CG_uFo6m3M 
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) are two life-threatening toxicologic emergencies that can appear very similar at the bedside — but recognizing the key differences is critical for emergency department and ICU management.
In this episode, we focus on the high-yield differences between serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome including:• Clonus vs rigidity• Hyperreflexia• Medication triggers• Serotonergic medications vs dopamine blockade• Onset timing• Hyperthermia• Autonomic instability• Elevated CK and rhabdomyolysis• Neuromuscular findings• ICU and emergency department management pearls
This quick comparison episode is designed to help physicians, nurses, pharmacists, trainees, respiratory therapists, and critical care learners rapidly differentiate these two dangerous syndromes in clinical practice.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUl80DoHZB0 
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening toxicologic emergency caused by excess serotonergic activity. Early recognition is critical in the emergency department, ICU, inpatient wards, and prehospital settings.
In this episode, we review the fundamentals of serotonin syndrome including:• Pathophysiology• Serotonergic medications• Hyperthermia• Clonus and hyperreflexia• Neuromuscular findings• Autonomic instability• Differential diagnosis• Serotonin syndrome vs neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)• ICU and emergency department management• Supportive care strategies• Benzodiazepines and cyproheptadine
This episode is designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, trainees, respiratory therapists, and anyone interested in emergency critical care medicine and toxicology.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoinGYGfs8k 
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-threatening toxicologic emergency associated with dopamine blockade and antipsychotic medications. Early recognition is critical in the emergency department, ICU, inpatient wards, and perioperative settings.
In this episode, we review the fundamentals of neuroleptic malignant syndrome including:• Pathophysiology• Dopamine blockade• Common causative medications• Hyperthermia• Muscle rigidity• Elevated CK and rhabdomyolysis• Autonomic instability• Differential diagnosis• Serotonin syndrome vs NMS• ICU and emergency department management• Supportive care strategies• Bromocriptine and dantrolene
This episode is designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, trainees, respiratory therapists, and anyone interested in emergency critical care medicine and toxicology.
🎥 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di0ksOt1Dl0 
📚 Download the study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• PDF study guides for every episode• Emergency critical care mini-courses• Practice questions• Ad-free content• A structured ICU curriculum
🎧 WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
DISCLAIMER:This content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and consultation with appropriate specialists. This content does not establish a physician-patient relationship and may not reflect the views of any affiliated institutions or employers.

Salicylate toxicity is one of the most important acid-base and toxicologic emergencies encountered in emergency medicine, critical care, and hospital medicine. In this episode, we break down salicylate poisoning from the ground up including salicylate pharmacology, acid-base physiology, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate therapy, hemodialysis indications, airway management, and ICU management strategies.
We also discuss:• Recognition of salicylate toxicity• Tachypnea and compensatory hyperventilation• Salicylate distribution and tissue penetration• Pulmonary edema and CNS toxicity• Volume depletion and electrolyte abnormalities• Intubation pitfalls in salicylate poisoning• Why mechanical ventilation can rapidly worsen critically ill patients• Co-ingestions and diagnostic challenges
This episode is designed for medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers, and practicing clinicians looking for a high-yield review of salicylate toxicity and acid-base disorders in critical illness.
Watch the full YouTube video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcUS6v_Cktc
🔗 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
Disclaimer:WhiteBoard Medicine content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and specialist consultation when appropriate.

Opioid toxicity remains one of the most important toxicologic emergencies encountered in emergency medicine, critical care, EMS, and hospital medicine. In this episode, we break down opioid overdose from the ground up including opioid pharmacology, respiratory depression physiology, recognition of the opioid toxidrome, naloxone administration, airway management, ventilator considerations, post-reversal monitoring, and ICU management strategies.
We also discuss:• Hypoventilation and hypercapnia• End tidal CO2 monitoring• Pulmonary edema in opioid overdose• Long-acting opioids and recurrent toxicity• Co-ingestions and diagnostic pitfalls• Intubation considerations in critically ill overdose patients
This episode is designed for medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers, and practicing clinicians looking for a high-yield review of opioid toxicity and overdose management.
Watch the full YouTube video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUjvkQq4kJg
🔗 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
WhiteBoard Medicine Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiteboard-medicine-emergency-and-critical-care/id1808306430
Disclaimer:WhiteBoard Medicine content is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Clinical decisions should always be made using independent medical judgment, current guidelines, institutional protocols, and specialist consultation when appropriate.