Critical Care

Question 1

what does critical care involve?

Answer 1

• organ system support: either single or multiple
• initial assessment: ABCDE

Question 2

what are the two types of respiratory failure?

Answer 2

type 1: oxygenation failure
type 2: oxygenation and ventilation failure

Question 3

how is respiratory failure managed in critical care?

Answer 3

• high-flow nasal oxygen cannula
• oxygen and air blender allows you to give large volume and percentage of oxygen
• humidifier-heater makes oxygen well tolerated as doesnt dry out mucosa
• c-pap mask
• NIVA machine

invasive:
- endo-tracheal tube
- ventilator

Question 4

define shock

Answer 4

• acute circulatory failure with inadequate or inappropriately distributed tissue perfusion resulting in cellular hypoxia

Question 5

how is cardiovascular failure managed in a critical care setting?

Answer 5

• arterial line
• vasopressors e.g. metaraminol and noradrenaline
• inotropes e.g. adrenaline and dobutamine