Post-Resuscitation Care & Recovery Flashcards
7 cards from real ECC 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-Resuscitation Care & Recovery flashcards as text
A post-arrest patient's pupils are 5 mm and non-reactive bilaterally at 72 hours. This finding carries which prognostic significance?
Answer: High specificity for poor neurological outcome when combined with other markers
Bilaterally absent pupillary light reflexes at ≥72 hours have high specificity (~100%) for poor outcome but must be confirmed as non-drug-related.
Which of the following post-resuscitation care bundles is included in the AHA's structured post-cardiac arrest care guidelines?
Answer: Hemodynamic optimization, temperature management, and early coronary angiography when indicated
AHA post-cardiac arrest care bundles focus on hemodynamic stabilization, temperature management, and early reperfusion for suspected coronary etiology.
A post-cardiac arrest patient has continuous EEG showing status epilepticus. What is the recommended management?
Answer: Treat aggressively with antiepileptic drugs as seizures worsen brain injury
Post-cardiac arrest seizures, including nonconvulsive status epilepticus detected on EEG, should be treated aggressively as they exacerbate neurological injury.
Which PaCO2 range is recommended for mechanically ventilated post-cardiac arrest patients to avoid secondary brain injury?
Answer: 35–45 mmHg (normocapnia)
Normocapnia (35–45 mmHg) is targeted post-arrest; hypocapnia causes cerebral vasoconstriction, and hypercapnia can increase intracranial pressure.
A patient survives cardiac arrest and is discharged neurologically intact. Which rehabilitation referral is MOST important?
Answer: Cardiac rehabilitation and psychological support for post-arrest syndrome
Survivors commonly experience cognitive impairment, PTSD, anxiety, and depression — comprehensive cardiac rehab with psychological support addresses all these post-arrest syndrome components.
What is the purpose of the GWR (gray-white matter ratio) measurement on post-arrest CT scan?
Answer: Quantifies severity of cerebral edema and predicts neurological outcome
A low GWR reflects diffuse cerebral edema and gray-white blurring on CT, which correlates with severe anoxic brain injury and poor prognosis.
Which serum biomarker is MOST useful for neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest?
Answer: Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) measured at 48–72 hours
NSE released from damaged neurons peaks at 48–72 hours post-arrest and elevated levels correlate strongly with poor neurological outcome.