Critical care

Question 1

what does blood gas show which indicates type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 1

low Pa02

normal/low PaC02

Question 2

what does a blood gas show which indicates type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 2

low Pa02

high PaC02

Question 3

if you suspect someone is in respiratory failure, what initial investigations would you carry out to confirm?

Answer 3

pulse oximetry (for sats/Sp02)
arterial blood gas (for Pa02 and PaC02)

Question 4

what are the 3 main management options if a patient is in respiratory failure?

Answer 4

humidified high flow nasal tube
full face mask
endotracheal tube

Question 5

what is the main method of management for type 2 resp failure?

Answer 5

full face mask

Question 6

what is the main method of management for type 1 resp failure?

Answer 6

humidified high flow nasal tube

Question 7

what is the benefit of an endotracheal tube for managing respiratory failure?

Answer 7

protected airway from aspiration etc

Question 8

if you suspect shock in a patient, what initial investigations would you carry out to confirm and what would they show?

Answer 8

lactate (high)
arterial blood gas (academia)
FBC (low Hg)

Question 9

what are the types of shock?

Answer 9

distributive  (septic)
hypovolaemic
anaphylactic 
neurogenic 
cardiogenic

Question 10

what are the main management option for cariogenic shock?

Answer 10

ionotropes - adrenaline, dobutamine

vasoconstrictors - noradrenaline, metaraminol

Question 11

what is the limit of the volume of fluids you can give a patient who is fluid depleted?

Answer 11

30ml/kg

Question 12

what are the causes of neurological failure?

Answer 12

trauma
infection
metabolic
stroke

Question 13

what are the main signs to look out for indicative of neurological failure?

Answer 13

cushings reflex
dilated pupils
GCS < 8

Question 14

a patient presents with a respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis.
what is the most common cause?

Answer 14

aspirin overdose