SAQ Stack

Short Answer Questions for ED Fellowship Study

Case: Back pain, falls and urinary retention

You are the consultant on duty on Saturday evening in a busy major referral Emergency Department. You are approached by a resident who wishes to discuss their patient with you. A 54-year old male has been brought in by ambulance from home where he resides on his own. He has had increasing falls over the past week which he attributes to feeling weak, however over the last day he has had a new onset of back pain and today he states he cannot walk. His significant medical history includes type II diabetes mellitus, heavy smoking, prostate cancer managed five years prior and schizophrenia being managed by the community mental health team. His initial assessment reveals the following vital signs:

  • Temp 36.5°C
  • BP 135/85 mmHg
  • HR 70/min
  • RR 16/min
  • SpO2 96% on room air
  • GCS 15 with no obvious delirium
The patient complains of lower abdominal discomfort. Bladder scan reveals urinary retention of 800mL.

1. List (3) potential organic causes of this presentation and for each, (2) historical findings of relevance. 6 marks

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The patient complains of lower abdominal discomfort. Bladder scan reveals urinary retention of 800mL.

2. List (6) examination findings which would indicate a lumbosacral motor neurone pathology. 6 marks

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
SAQ Home

This case forms part of a collaborative marking project designed to support fellowship preparation. In the week leading up to each tutorial, you can contribute answers to any active case. If you contribute, your answers may be reviewed, marked, and used to refine the model answers during the weekly fellowship teaching sessions.

All responses are displayed anonymously or using anonymised avatars. You remain in full control of your answers and may withdraw them at any time.

Your personal results and updated model answers become available the day after the tutorial.

After the tutorial you can still do the case and self-mark your answers, but your answers will not be included in the group review.