White coats need about one pocket more, or a deeper pocket: one for the toys and the other for at least two paperbacks.
The D.O.C. you took the words out of my mouth:
(1) "Intern Survival Guide", albeit dated, is still basic stuff when you really, really want to know what to do. It's about $8.00 and the others in the series are good as well, also small paperback.
(2) "Wash Manual" has been standard for decades, the 30th edition was recently published, and will help you ID the problems your patient has and what meds to order at what dosages.
(3) "Medicine 2002" (I believe that's what it's called - it comes out every year. It's also made for other specialties as well. The year I got it, it was a burnt umber color). It's a small paperback that will give you a list, literally, for the most common scenarios you'll see when you write the initial order list. This is indispensable. It will be the most used book when you do your initial assessment.
(4) Another small handy paperback is a book in outline form on differential diagnoses. This will guide you to what you want to consider is wrong with your patient as you begin the workup. Again, sorry the name is not in front of me right now, but it was a purple and white cover. I believe Mosby puts it out. I'm sure there are several on the market of this genre.
(5) "Medicine On Call" was good if for nothing else its sections on "Elevator Thoughts On The Way To The Emergency". If nothing else helps you focus, it's a book like that, that cuts to the chase quick.
I hope this is of some help.
Nu