Emergency Medicine & Critical Care Flashcards

In the management of a tension pneumothorax, what is the immediate life-saving intervention?

Answer: Needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line

Needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space mid-clavicular line provides immediate relief of tension pneumothorax without waiting for imaging.

Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management for a patient with status epilepticus lasting more than 5 minutes?

Answer: Intravenous lorazepam 0.1 mg/kg

Intravenous benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment for status epilepticus due to rapid onset of action.

What is the most common cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults presenting to the emergency department?

Answer: Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease accounts for approximately 40–50% of all upper GI bleeds and is the most common cause in the emergency setting.

A patient presents with severe chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures in both arms, and widened mediastinum on chest X-ray. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Aortic dissection

The combination of tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal arm blood pressures, and widened mediastinum is classic for aortic dissection.

In the management of acute stroke, what is the maximum time window for administering IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from symptom onset?

Answer: 3–4.5 hours

IV tPA can be administered within 3–4.5 hours of symptom onset in eligible ischemic stroke patients according to current stroke guidelines.

Which of the following best describes the management priority using the ABCDE approach in a critically ill patient?

Answer: Airway secured first, then breathing, circulation, disability, exposure

The ABCDE approach follows a strict sequential order: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure to ensure life-threatening problems are identified and treated in order of priority.

What is the recommended target mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients with septic shock according to international guidelines adopted in UAE practice?

Answer: ≥65 mmHg

A MAP of ≥65 mmHg is the recommended hemodynamic target in septic shock to ensure adequate tissue perfusion.