Neuroimaging is warranted to evaluate headaches when patients present to an emergency department with signs or symptoms of an intracranial lesion. These signs or symptoms include abrupt onset of headache, focal neurological ...

Breastfed and formula-fed infants should receive intramuscular vitamin K soon after birth to prevent classic hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, systematic review of controlled trials). ...

There is no evidence that the use of antiviral agents in women who are pregnant and have a history of genital herpes prevents perinatal transmission of herpes simplex virus (HSV) to neonates. [Strength of recommendation: ...

No large-scale randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluate furosemide's effect on mortality and long-term morbidity in diastolic or systolic dysfunction. In short-term studies, furosemide reduces edema, reduces ...

There is currently no evidence of harm; however, few patients have been studied and existing studies have many limitations. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively answer this question at this time. The existing ...

For current and former smokers, the evidence does not support yearly chest x-rays to decrease lung cancer mortality (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on multiple randomized controlled trials). Even with the ...

Leg cramps are very common (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, case series), and most cases have no detectable cause (SOR: C, expert opinion). Arterial vascular disease and neurological diseases are more prevalent among ...

The best treatment strategy for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is lifestyle intervention with a structured weight loss program of diet and exercise (strength of recommendation [SOR]: ...

Treatments such as antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines/decongestants, and mucolytics afford no long-term benefit in the treatment of patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). [Strength of recommendation: A] Surgical ...

Most children with gastroenteritis do not require intravenous fluids and will respond favorably to ORT. Intravenous fluids do not shorten the duration of gastroenteritis and are more likely to cause adverse effects than ...

No high-quality studies specifically address the utility of sputum Gram stain or culture in the assessment or treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or nursing home- acquired pneumonia (NHAP). The available evidence ...

Little evidence describes the risks and benefits of progestin-only contraceptives therapy. No good-quality evidence exists to determine the risk of cancer associated with progestin-only contraceptives. Data are insufficient ...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) are the first-line agents for reducing the risk of diabetic nephropathy. For patients intolerant to these agents, non-dihydropyridine ...

The international normalized ratio (INR) should be measured monthly once therapeutic levels are achieved and are stable for at least 8 weeks, although treatment should be individualized and an increased frequency may be ...

Both fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy are effective in screening for colorectal cancer. FOBT can reduce mortality from colorectal cancer. [Strength of recommendation: A, based on high-quality ...

Medicare guidelines are used to determine eligibility for hospice care (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on expert opinion), but they correlate with 6-month mortality no better than an experienced clinician's ...

History and physical examination can distinguish among most physiologic, pharmacologic, or pathologic causes of an elevated serum prolactin level (SPL) (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, expert opinion). Patients with ...

Universal neonatal hearing screening leads to both earlier detection and earlier treatment of infants with hearing loss (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on a systematic review). Available evidence suggests ...

The following groups are at increased risk of contracting or having severe outcomes from hepatitis A and should receive vaccination.Persons traveling to or working in countries that have high or intermediate rates of ...

The Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reports that the only contraindication for all vaccines is a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine or vaccine constituent (strength of recommendations: ...