EDAIC Intensive Care Medicine 2

Question 1

A patient with ARDS has a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of 110 mmHg. According to the Berlin Definition, this classifies as:

Accepted Answer

Severe ARDS

Answer

Severe ARDS is defined by PaO2/FiO2 ≤100 mmHg; moderate is 101–200; 110 mmHg falls in the severe category.

Question 2

Which vasopressor is recommended as first-line therapy for septic shock in current surviving sepsis guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock due to its strong α-adrenergic effect and favorable cardiac output profile.

Question 3

A ventilated ICU patient has a plateau pressure of 34 cmH2O and a PEEP of 8 cmH2O. The driving pressure is:

Accepted Answer

26 cmH2O

Answer

Driving pressure = Plateau pressure − PEEP = 34 − 8 = 26 cmH2O.

Question 4

In acute liver failure, which finding indicates the poorest prognosis according to King's College Criteria?

Accepted Answer

INR >6.5 in acetaminophen-induced ALF

Answer

An INR >6.5 (PT >100 s) in acetaminophen-induced ALF is an independent criterion for transplant listing under King's College Criteria.

Question 5

Prone positioning in severe ARDS improves survival primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Reducing ventilator-induced lung injury through more homogeneous ventilation

Answer

Prone positioning redistributes ventilation, reducing dorsal atelectasis and making lung stress/strain more homogeneous, thereby limiting VILI.

EDAIC - European Diploma in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Practice Test