ABCDE and Recognising Ill Patient

Question 1

When writing Sp02

Answer 1

Include wether on air or on oxygen

Question 2

Definition of Hypotension

Answer 2

-SBP<90, decrease greater than 40 or 30% from baseline, or any combination

Question 3

High RR Cut-Offs and Causes

Answer 3

• RR above 27 is single most important predictor of cardiac arrest
• RR above 20 is acutely unwell
• High RR often from acidosis
• Should always do a blood gas

Question 4

Causes of Airway Obstruction

Answer 4

CNS depression, foreign body (incl. blood, vomit etc), trauma, blocked tracheotomy, swelling, laryngospasm, bronchospasm

Question 5

How Airway Obstruction Kills

Answer 5

Cerebral oedema, pulmonary oedema, exhaustion, hypoxic brain injury, secondary apnoeas

Question 6

Causes of Breathing Problems

Answer 6

• CNS depression causing decreased drive
• Poor respiratory effort from muscle weakness or pain or restrictive abnormalities
• Disorders of lung function e.g. pneumonia, pneumothorax, haemothorax, asthma, COPD
• PE, ARDS, oedema

Question 7

How Breathing Problems Kill

Answer 7

Hypercapnia and apnoea, pulmonary oedema, exhaustion, hypoxic brain injury, secondary cardiac ischaemia

Question 8

Causes of Circulation Problems

Answer 8

• Primary cardiac e.g. MI etc

- Secondary heart problems e.g. asphyxia, tension pn., blood loss, hpyoxia