Critical Care

Question 1

What are the ‘levels’ of care? (What is meant by 0? 1? 2? etc..)

Answer 1

0 - Primary Care
1 - Ward-based
2 - HDU (single organ support)
3 - ITU (multi-organ support)

Question 2

What are type I and type II respiratory failures?

Answer 2

Type I - low oxygen without increase in carbon dioxide

Type II - low oxygen with an increase in carbon dioxide

Question 3

How can Type I respiratory failure be treated?

Answer 3

High-flow nasal cannula
CPAP
Intubation
ECMO

Question 4

How can Type II respiratory failure be treated?

Answer 4

Invasive ventilation

Question 5

What do chronotropes do?

Answer 5

Raise HR

Question 6

What do inotropes do?

Answer 6

Increase heart contractility

Question 7

What do vasopressors do?

Answer 7

Constrict blood vessels and increase afterload

Question 8

What is a normal lactate level? Produced in anaerobic metabolism (tissue hypoperfusion)

Answer 8

Less than 2. Above 2 is abnormal. More than 4 is really bad.