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
Which serum biomarker measured at 48–72 hours after cardiac arrest has the highest specificity for poor neurological outcome?
Answer: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) >60 µg/L
NSE levels >60 µg/L at 48–72 hours post-arrest have high specificity for poor neurological prognosis and are part of the multimodal neuroprognostication bundle.
A 58-year-old male achieves ROSC after VF arrest. He remains unresponsive. TTM is initiated at 33°C. At hour 6, his HR drops to 38 bpm with a MAP of 70 mmHg. What is the best action?
Answer: Continue TTM; bradycardia is an expected and acceptable response to cooling
Hypothermia-induced bradycardia is an expected physiological response to cooling; it is generally well tolerated if MAP and perfusion are adequate.
What is the purpose of performing a CT brain scan in a comatose post-arrest patient?
Answer: Identify reversible causes such as hemorrhage and assess for cerebral edema
CT brain imaging identifies treatable causes like intracranial hemorrhage or edema, though early scans may underestimate anoxic injury.
In post-cardiac arrest care, what is the significance of the 'post-cardiac arrest syndrome' (PCAS)?
Answer: It describes a unique pathophysiology combining brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, systemic ischemia-reperfusion, and the precipitating cause
PCAS encompasses the complex interplay of anoxic brain injury, myocardial stunning, systemic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the underlying disease that caused the arrest.
A post-arrest patient's PETCO2 is 38 mmHg and SpO2 is 98% on FiO2 0.40. The intensivist orders a PaO2 check which returns 210 mmHg. What adjustment should the paramedic anticipate?
Answer: FiO2 should be decreased to target PaO2 of 80–100 mmHg
A PaO2 of 210 mmHg represents hyperoxia, which increases reactive oxygen species and worsens reperfusion injury; FiO2 should be reduced.
Which of the following is a contraindication to targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest?
Answer: Active uncontrolled hemorrhage
Active, uncontrolled hemorrhage is a contraindication to TTM because cooling impairs coagulation and platelet function, worsening bleeding.
During neuroprognostication, the multimodal approach is preferred over any single test because:
Answer: No single test has sufficient sensitivity and specificity alone; combining biomarkers, EEG, imaging, and exam reduces errors
Each prognostic modality has limitations; combining clinical exam, EEG, neuroimaging, and biomarkers improves accuracy and reduces self-fulfilling prophecy bias.