Forefoot / Midfoot · Trauma · Standard
Domestic Violence
Podiatric surgery residency interview case. Work through it the way you would at an interview: take the history, ask for the exam and imaging, then commit to a diagnosis and plan.
Chief complaint
"I was shot in the foot."
30-year-old female brought to the ER with a gunshot wound to the right foot from domestic violence.
History of present illness
Shot once in the right foot at close range with a handgun about 1 hour ago. Unable to bear weight; bleeding controlled with a towel.
- No other wounds; no head strike
- Ate a meal 30 minutes ago
- Tetanus status unknown
Questions a strong candidate asks at this step
- Weapon type/velocity, range, number of shots, entry and exit
- Other injuries (secondary survey)
- Bleeding, numbness, ability to move toes
- Last meal (ate 30 min ago — aspiration risk for anesthesia)
- Tetanus status
- Safety at home — domestic violence screening
Present the rest of the case
Past history, exam, imaging, assessment, plan and discussion questions, with model answers, are in the interactive trainer. The diagnosis is kept there on purpose so you can practice committing to one.