Post-Cardiac Arrest Care Flashcards
7 cards from real CPR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Post-Cardiac Arrest Care flashcards as text
A post-arrest patient has a 12-lead ECG showing no STEMI but remains comatose with hemodynamic instability. What is the most appropriate next step regarding cardiac catheterization?
Answer: Consider emergent angiography based on clinical suspicion for ACS
Even without STEMI, strong clinical suspicion for an ischemic etiology in an unstable comatose patient may warrant emergent angiography per current guidelines.
What is the maximum recommended rate of rewarming after targeted temperature management to minimize rebound cerebral injury?
Answer: 0.25°C per hour
Controlled rewarming at no faster than 0.25°C per hour minimizes the risk of fever rebound, cerebral edema, and electrolyte shifts.
Which finding on EEG obtained 24–48 hours after cardiac arrest suggests a poor neurological prognosis?
Answer: Burst suppression with identical bursts
Burst suppression with identical, stereotyped bursts (also called 'malignant' pattern) is associated with poor neurological outcome in post-arrest comatose patients.
A post-arrest patient on TTM develops a potassium of 3.1 mEq/L. What phenomenon must you anticipate as rewarming begins?
Answer: Potassium levels may rise rapidly due to transcellular shifts
Cooling causes potassium to shift intracellularly, creating hypokalemia; rewarming reverses this shift and can cause rapid hyperkalemia.
What is the primary hemodynamic goal during the immediate post-cardiac arrest phase (first 1–3 hours after ROSC)?
Answer: MAP ≥65 mmHg
Maintaining MAP ≥65 mmHg ensures adequate cerebral and coronary perfusion pressure during the vulnerable post-arrest period.
Which clinical sign indicates a post-cardiac arrest patient is in cardiogenic shock and may benefit from mechanical circulatory support?
Answer: Persistent hypotension with cool extremities and oliguria despite vasopressors
Refractory cardiogenic shock characterized by low output signs despite maximum medical therapy may require IABP or other mechanical circulatory support.
What is the recommended approach if a post-arrest patient develops seizures confirmed on EEG?
Answer: Treat with antiepileptic agents such as levetiracetam or valproate
Post-arrest seizures worsen neurological injury through increased metabolic demand and should be treated promptly with appropriate antiepileptic medications.