Patient Management and Care Flashcards
7 cards from real ACCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Management and Care flashcards as text
A patient in distributive shock has MAP of 58 mmHg on norepinephrine 0.3 mcg/kg/min. Which adjunctive agent should be added next?
Answer: Vasopressin 0.03–0.04 units/min
Vasopressin added to norepinephrine is the recommended second vasopressor in septic shock to achieve MAP goals or spare norepinephrine dose.
A patient with acute kidney injury in the ICU has a potassium of 6.8 mEq/L with peaked T-waves on ECG. What is the most urgent intervention?
Answer: IV calcium gluconate to stabilize the cardiac membrane
Calcium gluconate stabilizes the cardiac membrane immediately and is the first-line treatment for hyperkalemia with ECG changes, buying time for definitive therapy.
A patient on prolonged neuromuscular blockade in the ICU is being weaned. Which test is used to confirm adequate reversal before extubation?
Answer: Train-of-four (TOF) ratio ≥ 0.9
A train-of-four ratio ≥0.9 on peripheral nerve stimulation confirms adequate reversal of neuromuscular blockade before safe extubation.
An ICU patient develops abdominal compartment syndrome. Which intra-abdominal pressure value confirms the diagnosis in the presence of new organ dysfunction?
Answer: > 20 mmHg
Abdominal compartment syndrome is defined as sustained IAP >20 mmHg with new or progressive organ dysfunction.
A patient with acute pancreatitis in the ICU develops respiratory failure. The most likely etiology is:
Answer: ARDS from systemic inflammatory mediator release
Severe acute pancreatitis triggers massive cytokine release that causes systemic inflammation and ARDS as a common pulmonary complication.
Which intervention has been shown to reduce ICU-acquired weakness in critically ill patients?
Answer: Early mobilization and physical therapy initiated in the ICU
Early physical therapy and mobilization begun in the ICU reduces ICU-acquired weakness and improves functional outcomes at hospital discharge.
A patient with chronic liver disease is admitted to the ICU with gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition to vasoactive agents, which prophylactic medication should be started immediately?
Answer: Short-course prophylactic antibiotics (ceftriaxone)
Prophylactic antibiotics (ceftriaxone) are indicated in cirrhotic patients with GI bleeding to prevent bacterial infections and reduce mortality.