helper function to reduce mongoose/REST boilerplate. Could also monkey patch into OutgoingMessage.prototype perhaps.

gistfile1.js

function oopsAPI(res, error, model) {
  if (error) {
    logger.error('Unexpected mongoose error during API query', error);
    res.status(500).send(error);
    return true;
  }
  if (!model) {
    res.status(404).send();
    return true;
  }
  return false;
}


//to use in an API route handler

someQuery.exec(function (error, model) {
  if (oopsAPI(res, error, model)) { return; }
  //success code here
});