ABCDE - General

Question 1

What are some things to look at/for during ‘E’?

Answer 1

Bleeding/bruising, rashes, signs of infection, lines/drains, calves

Question 2

Urine output is considered to be reduced if it is less than what?

Answer 2

0.5ml/kg/hour

Question 3

What is the normal range for respiratory rate?

Answer 3

12-20

Question 4

What additional blood tests should be done in a patient with potential sepsis?

Answer 4

CRP, lactate and blood cultures

Question 5

What additional investigation should you consider in any female of child-bearing age with shock, abdominal pain or gynaecological symptoms?

Answer 5

Urinary pregnancy test

Question 6

What should you do if the patient cannot talk?

Answer 6

Look for signs of airway compromise- open the mouth and inspect for any obvious obstruction

Question 7

In a patient who is elderly/frail or has heart/renal failure, what would you prescribe for a fluid challenge?

Answer 7

250ml 0.9% NaCl over 15 minutes

Question 8

At the beginning of the station, what monitoring should you ask someone to set up for you?

Answer 8

Cardiac monitor, BP cuff and sats probe

Question 9

If a patient is bleeding and shocked, after initiating a fluid challenge, what should you do?

Answer 9

Activate MHP

Question 10

A GCS of what warrants urgent expert help from an anaesthetist?

Answer 10

8 or below

Question 11

If you suspect a patient has an airway obstruction, who should you call?

Answer 11

On call anaesthetist and emergency medical team

Question 12

What are some differentials if the trachea is deviated towards the affected side?

Answer 12

Lung collapse, pneumonectomy

Question 13

If the patient appears short of breath, what is the first intervention (if possible)?

Answer 13

Get them to sit upright

Question 14

In most medical emergencies, who would you want to contact?

Answer 14

Med reg on call and critical care team

Question 15

What are the three core blood tests that should be done in any unwell patient?

Answer 15

FBC, U&E, LFTs

Question 16

What are the two main investigations within ‘B’, that are useful in almost any critically unwell patient?

Answer 16

ABG and CXR

Question 17

How many times can you repeat a fluid challenge?

Answer 17

4 times

Question 18

In what patients should you consider taking bloods for a group and save?

Answer 18

Anyone who had a small bleed (resolved) or who may require surgical intervention

Question 19

What are some differentials if the trachea is deviated away from the affected side?

Answer 19

Tension pneumothorax, effusion

Question 20

At the beginning of the station, what three things should you make sure are easily accessible, or ask someone to get for you?

Answer 20

Patient’s notes, obs chart and Kardex

Question 21

What additional blood test should be done in a patient with potential ACS?

Answer 21

Troponin

Question 22

In an otherwise healthy patient, what would you prescribe for a fluid challenge?

Answer 22

500ml 0.9% NaCl over 15 minutes

Question 23

If a capillary blood glucose is elevated, what investigation should you do next?

Answer 23

Check ketones

Question 24

What is the first management step in any patient who is hypovolaemic?

Answer 24

Fluid challenge (reassess after)

Question 25

In what patients should you consider taking bloods for a coagulation screen?

Answer 25

Anyone who is bleeding or you suspect has hepatobiliary disease

Question 26

What 4 questions should you ask yourself after finishing an ABCDE assessment?

Answer 26

Are further investigations required? Are further interventions required? Who do you need to contact? Where does this patient need to go?

Question 27

What are the two main investigations within ‘C’, that are useful in almost any critically unwell patient?

Answer 27

Bloods and 12-lead ECG

Question 28

What are some interventions/investigations to consider as part of ‘E’ if you haven’t already?

Answer 28

Cultures (other than blood), antibiotics, analgesia

Question 29

What additional blood test should be done in a patient who you suspect to have taken an overdose?

Answer 29

Toxicology screen

Question 30

What oxygen should you use for any critically unwell patient?

Answer 30

15L through a non-rebreather mask

Question 31

What additional blood test should be done in a patient with a large bleed and hypovolaemia, or any ongoing bleeding?

Answer 31

Crossmatch