Jake Merkel

A 43-year-old man presents to the emergency department with severe upper abdominal pain radiating to his back, with nausea and vomiting. Focus on taking a thorough history including alcohol use, examining the abdomen, and ordering appropriate investigations.

1. 1Take a focused history of the abdominal pain using SOCRATES
2. 2Take a detailed alcohol history
3. 3Explore associated symptoms and past medical history including gallstones
4. 4Verbalise a focused abdominal examination
5. 5Order and justify appropriate investigations (amylase, lipase, imaging)