FFICM Organ System Failure and Support Flashcards

Which neurological monitoring technique measures the electrical activity of the brain and is used to detect non-convulsive status epilepticus in the ICU?

Answer: Continuous EEG monitoring

Continuous EEG monitoring is the standard tool for diagnosing non-convulsive seizures and non-convulsive status epilepticus in ICU patients with altered consciousness.

What cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is targeted in severe traumatic brain injury management?

Answer: 60–70 mmHg

Current TBI guidelines recommend a CPP target of 60–70 mmHg (CPP = MAP − ICP) to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion while avoiding secondary ischemic injury.

In patients with raised intracranial pressure (ICP), what is the first-line osmotic therapy used to reduce cerebral edema?

Answer: Mannitol 20% IV bolus

Mannitol 20% given as an IV bolus creates an osmotic gradient that draws free water from the brain parenchyma into the vasculature, rapidly reducing ICP.

Which condition is the most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis requiring ICU admission in adults?

Answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal meningitis) is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults and carries the highest mortality among common pathogens.

What is Cushing's triad, a sign of critically elevated intracranial pressure?

Answer: Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations

Cushing's triad — hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations — represents the brain's last-ditch reflex to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure against severely elevated ICP.

In severe acute pancreatitis, which scoring system uses CT findings to grade severity and necrosis?

Answer: CT Severity Index (Balthazar score)

The CT Severity Index (Balthazar score) combines the degree of pancreatic inflammation (A–E) with the percentage of gland necrosis to provide a radiological severity score.