EDAIC Intensive Care Medicine 3

Question 1

The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) target of 0 to -1 in a mechanically ventilated patient means:

Accepted Answer

Light sedation — alert or briefly awakens to voice

Answer

RASS 0 = alert and calm; RASS -1 = drowsy but eye-opening >10s to voice; both indicate light sedation, the current guideline target.

Question 2

Transfusion trigger in a stable, non-bleeding ICU patient without active cardiac ischemia per current evidence is:

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin <7 g/dL

Answer

The TRICC trial and subsequent evidence support a restrictive transfusion threshold of Hb <7 g/dL in stable ICU patients.

Question 3

In diabetic ketoacidosis management, insulin infusion should begin only after:

Accepted Answer

Serum potassium is ≥3.5 mmol/L

Answer

Insulin drives potassium intracellularly; starting insulin with hypokalemia risks life-threatening arrhythmias, so K⁺ must be ≥3.5 mmol/L first.

Question 4

A patient with suspected meningitis in the ICU — what is the correct order of management?

Accepted Answer

Blood cultures → antibiotics → CT head → lumbar puncture

Answer

Blood cultures and immediate antibiotics take priority over CT or LP to avoid delays that worsen outcome in bacterial meningitis.

Question 5

Permissive hypercapnia in lung-protective ventilation is generally acceptable up to a PaCO2 of:

Accepted Answer

70 mmHg

Answer

PaCO2 up to 70 mmHg (pH ≥7.20) is generally tolerated in permissive hypercapnia when low tidal volumes are required for lung protection.

EDAIC - European Diploma in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Practice Test