Critical Care & Emergency Flashcards

What is the maximum single recommended dose of adrenaline (epinephrine) administered IV during adult cardiac arrest?

Answer: 1 mg IV every 3–5 minutes

Current ACLS guidelines recommend 1 mg of IV epinephrine every 3–5 minutes during adult cardiac arrest to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.

A mechanically ventilated patient develops sudden hypotension and absent breath sounds on one side. What complication should the nurse suspect?

Answer: Tension pneumothorax

Sudden hypotension with unilateral absent breath sounds in a ventilated patient is the hallmark presentation of tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening emergency.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses which three patient responses?

Answer: Eye opening, verbal response, motor response

The GCS evaluates eye opening (4 points), verbal response (5 points), and motor response (6 points) to objectively quantify level of consciousness.

Which ECG finding is the hallmark of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?

Answer: ST segment elevation of ≥1 mm in two or more contiguous leads

STEMI is diagnosed by ST elevation of ≥1 mm in two or more anatomically contiguous leads, indicating complete occlusion of a coronary artery requiring urgent reperfusion.

A patient in the ICU develops acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which ventilator strategy is recommended?

Answer: Low tidal volume ventilation (lung-protective ventilation, 6 mL/kg ideal body weight)

Lung-protective ventilation using low tidal volumes (6 mL/kg IBW) reduces ventilator-induced lung injury and is the evidence-based standard for ARDS management.

What is the correct sequence for defibrillation using an AED?

Answer: Power on, attach pads, analyse rhythm, deliver shock if advised, resume CPR

AED use follows: power on, attach pads to dry skin, allow rhythm analysis, deliver the shock if advised, then immediately resume CPR for 2 minutes.