Emergency Response Procedures Flashcards

A patient with known anaphylaxis to penicillin develops urticaria, stridor, and hypotension 10 minutes after receiving IV amoxicillin. What is the correct first-line dose of epinephrine?

Answer: 0.5 mg IM (1:1,000) into the anterolateral thigh

Epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg IM (1:1,000) into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, providing faster absorption than subcutaneous injection.

When performing an emergency surgical airway (cricothyrotomy) in a 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' scenario, the incision is made through which structure?

Answer: Cricothyroid membrane

The cricothyroid membrane, located between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, is the target for emergency cricothyrotomy due to its superficial position and minimal overlying vasculature.

In a hospital lockdown scenario involving an active shooter, which protocol should ICU staff immediately implement?

Answer: Lock unit doors, silence alarms, and shelter in place

During an active shooter event, ICU staff should lock unit access doors, silence overhead announcements, keep patients and staff away from windows/doors, and shelter in place.

A mechanically ventilated patient has an unexpected extubation during patient transport within the hospital. The patient is apneic and SpO2 is falling. What is the IMMEDIATE first step?

Answer: Perform bag-mask ventilation with 100% FiO2

Bag-mask ventilation with 100% FiO2 is the immediate bridge to oxygenate and ventilate the patient while preparing for definitive reintubation.

During a critical care transfer of a septic patient, the transport team notices the vasopressor infusion pump alarms 'occlusion.' The patient's BP drops to 60/40 mmHg. What is the immediate intervention?

Answer: Troubleshoot the pump occlusion while giving a manual push-dose vasopressor

Push-dose vasopressor (e.g., phenylephrine 100–200 mcg IV or epinephrine 10–20 mcg IV) maintains perfusion pressure while troubleshooting the pump, ensuring no gap in vasopressor support.

Which document in the hospital emergency operations plan specifically assigns roles and responsibilities for ICU staff during a declared disaster?

Answer: Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) chart

The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) chart defines the organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities for all hospital staff during emergencies and declared disasters.

During CPR in an ICU patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism causing PEA arrest, which intervention has the strongest evidence for improving survival?

Answer: Empiric systemic thrombolysis with alteplase 50 mg IV bolus during CPR

Empirical thrombolysis with alteplase 50 mg IV bolus during CPR for suspected massive PE is supported by guidelines when the patient is in refractory arrest and PE is the suspected cause.