The use of emergency pericardiocentesis to aspirate fluid in patients with cardiac tamponade can be a lifesaving procedure that restores normal cardiac function and peripheral perfusion. This video demonstrates the procedure.

Conscious sedation may be considered for any procedure that causes patient discomfort or pain. This video demonstrates the equipment and techniques used to provide intravenous conscious sedation for minor procedures in adults.

Fiberoptic intubation plays an important part in the management of a difficult airway and is recommended by many societies of anesthesia. It is primarily important for the management of the anticipated difficult airway, but can also be used to secure the ...

This video demonstrates the principles of pulse oximetry and the equipment required. It also addresses common applications of pulse oximetry, interpretation of the data generated, limitations of the technique, and common problems encountered with its use.

Infections associated with health care are the most common adverse events resulting from hospital stays; 5 to 10% of patients in the developed world acquire such infections, and the burden is even higher in developing countries. This video demonstrates proper hand-hygiene techniques.

This video demonstrates the placement of intraosseous catheters in children and reviews the indications, contraindications, placement techniques, and potential complications. Both manual insertion and insertion with the use of a power-assisted device are shown.

Measurements of arterial pH and the partial pressures of carbon dioxide and oxygen provide accurate information on the status of the body's acid–base balance and gas exchange. This video demonstrates the proper technique for the performance of radial artery puncture for blood gas analysis.

Tympanocentesis involves needle aspiration of fluid from the middle ear. The technique permits drainage of pus from the middle ear, identification of pathogens, and pressure relief. This video demonstrates tympanocentesis.

Urethral catheterization may be needed in a child for diagnostic purposes or for performing voiding cystourethrography or monitoring urine output in very ill or postoperative patients. This video demonstrates a diagnostic urethral catheterization in a male infant.

Knee problems are one of the most common musculoskeletal symptoms evaluated by the primary care physician. This video shows how to perform a comprehensive examination of the knee.

Middle-ear inflammation may be classified clinically as either acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion. Mastery of otoscopic examination techniques is necessary for accurately diagnosing otitis media and differentiating its forms. This video demonstrates how to perform an otoscopic examination and how to remove cerumen from the external auditory canal.

Internal jugular vein cannulation is performed to establish central venous access for a variety of purposes, such as monitoring of central venous pressure, inserting pulmonary-artery catheters, administering intravenous therapeutic agents and nutrition, performing hemodialysis, and placing cardiac pacemakers. The increased use of ultrasonography to guide internal jugular vein cannulation has improved success rates and reduced complications. This video demonstrates ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation.

Endometrial biopsy is an office-based method for evaluating the tissue lining of the uterus. The many indications for endometrial biopsy include abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, amenorrhea for a year or longer, evaluation of infertility, evaluation of uterine response to hormone therapy, and follow-up for a Papanicolaou smear that has shown atypical glandular cells. The video demonstrates the technique of endometrial biopsy.

Although other methods exist to assess the peripheral vasculature, measurement of the ankle–brachial index remains a simple, reliable method for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease. This video presents the indications for use of the ankle–brachial index and demonstrates how it is measured.

Bone marrow aspiration is performed to assess cellular morphology and to conduct tests on the bone marrow. Bone marrow biopsy is often performed in tandem to provide information about the marrow and the extent of disease. This video demonstrates both procedures.

Evaluation of blood pressure is used in assessing cardiovascular health, in screening for hypertension, and in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. This video demonstrates the appropriate technique for the indirect measurement of blood pressure in adults.

Many distal-extremity injuries can initially be managed in an outpatient setting with the use of basic splinting techniques. Splinting immobilizes injured extremities, prevents further injury, decreases pain and bleeding, and allows healing to begin. This video demonstrates splinting techniques for common injuries.

The ability to obtain peripheral intravenous access is an essential and potentially lifesaving skill for all physicians. This video demonstrates how to cannulate peripheral veins with the use of an intravenous catheter.

Placement of umbilical catheters is an important skill for the treatment of critically ill neonates. Catheters can provide vascular access for resuscitation, monitoring, fluid administration, blood transfusion, and parenteral nutrition. This video demonstrates the placement of both umbilical-artery and umbilical-vein catheters.

A femoral venous catheter may be necessary when peripheral access to the circulatory system is compromised and no other sites for placing a central catheter are available. This video demonstrates the insertion of a femoral venous catheter and explains the indications and potential complications.