Emergency critical care 2 AI Flashcards
When can clinical signs of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity occur?
Up to 2-7 days post ingestion.
What should be determined if possible in cases of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity?
The type of toxin ingested.
What is the preferred route of administration for continuous rate infusion (CRI) therapy?
Intravenous
What are the advantages of CRI administration over bolus therapy for hypercalcaemia?
Better diuresis and calciuresis
How can sodium bicarbonate be used in the management of an acute hypercalcaemic crisis?
To produce alkalosis and reduce serum ionized calcium levels
What are the effects of steroids on hypercalcaemia?
Enhance renal excretion, reduce intestinal uptake, and decrease bone absorption
What are the possible differential diagnoses for hypercalcaemia?
Hyperparathyroidism, Addison’s disease, renal failure, vitamin D toxicity, idiopathic or infectious disease, osteolysis, neoplasia, and spurious causes
What is the absolute requirement for glucose in the body?
The brain has an absolute requirement for glucose
What causes insulin to be released by the pancreas?
In response to elevated serum glucose, amino acids, and gastrointestinal hormones
What are the functions of insulin in glucose metabolism?
Encourages hepatic glycogen and fatty acid production, inhibits glucose production and glycogen breakdown
How is glucose stored in the body?
As glycogen, mainly in the liver
What are the clinical signs of hypoglycaemia?
Behavioural changes, ataxia, and seizures
What is the treatment for hypoglycaemia causing neurological signs?
Parenteral glucose administration
How can glucose be administered for hypoglycaemia treatment?
As a bolus (0.5g/kg i/v) or through a CRI of glucose-containing fluids
What is the recommended solution concentration for glucose administration?
2.5-10% glucose saline
What should be done if an insulinoma is suspected in hypoglycaemia treatment?
Avoid rapidly giving glucose boluses, consider frequent feeding and glucagon infusions instead
What are the possible differential diagnoses for hypoglycaemia?
Excess insulin, growth hormone deficiency, cortisol deficiency, glucagon deficiency, hepatic disease, vascular disease, increased substrate use, fasting hypoglycaemia in pregnancy, neonatal, juvenile, or toy dog hypoglycaemia, insulin overdose, prolonged blood storage, portable analyser error
What are the possible causes of marked hyperglycaemia?
Diabetes mellitus or stress in cats
How can mild hyperglycaemia be differentiated from stress in cats?
Serial blood glucose measurements, serum fructosamine concentrations, or home urine samples
What are some drugs used for management of post-resuscitation ventricular tachycardia?
Lidocaine and specific anaesthetic antagonists
What is the use of sodium bicarbonate during resuscitation?
It is used for severe metabolic acidosis
What is recommended for arterial blood flow maintenance after restoring heart rate and rhythm?
Dopamine
Why should aggressive fluid therapy be avoided during CPCR?
Excessive fluid administration can result in decreased coronary and cerebral perfusion
When is fluid therapy usually given during CPCR?
If the animal was hypovolaemic prior to the CPA
What is the routine technique for monitoring forward blood flow during CPCR?
Palpation of the femoral pulse
What can be misleading about palpation of the femoral pulse?
Compression can generate venous pulses due to backflow of blood in the caudal vena cava
What is the significance of retinal blood flow during resuscitation?
If retinal blood flow is present, it suggests adequate cerebral perfusion should be present
What are some signs of effective circulation that should be monitored during CPCR?
Improvement in mucous membrane color, reduction in capillary refill time, and reduction in pupil size
Why should pulse oximetry be avoided during CPCR?
Pulsatile blood flow is usually inadequate
What information does measurement of ETCO2 with a capnograph provide during CPCR?
It reflects the success of ventilation in moving CO2 from peripheral tissues to the lungs
What does a reliable trace of ETCO2 suggest during resuscitation?
It is a good indicator of successful perfusion
Should ventilation cease immediately on return of spontaneous respiration?
No, it should continue as required until the patient regains consciousness
What complications should be avoided during post-resuscitation monitoring?
Pulmonary edema, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation
What neurological abnormalities can be expected after CPA?
Blindness and proprioceptive deficits
Should glucocorticoids be administered to patients with neurological abnormalities after CPA?
No, as they may worsen outcomes by causing hyperglycemia
What is the normal anion gap in dogs?
Approximately 8-25 mEq/l
What is the normal anion gap in cats?
Approximately 10-27 mEq/l
What does the anion gap reflect?
The difference in measurable anions and cations
What are the main contributors to the anion gap?
Plasma proteins, lactate, and ketones
What causes normochloraemic high anion gap acidosis?
Accumulation of inorganic ions, diabetic ketoacidosis, uraemia, lactic acidosis, certain toxins
What causes hyperchloraemic or normal anion gap acidosis?
Diarrhoea, renal tubular acidosis, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, acidifying agents
How does hypoalbuminaemia affect the anion gap?
Reduces the anion gap, decrease by 3mEq/l for every 10g/l decrease in albumin concentration
What is the strong ion difference (SID)?
The difference between sodium and chloride, approximately 36-38mEq/l in dogs and cats
What does an increase in SID indicate?
Hypochloraemia and metabolic alkalosis
What does a decrease in SID indicate?
Hyperchloremic acidosis
How can strong ion difference be estimated?
[Na+] - [Cl-]
How is strong ion difference used in assessing mixed acid-base disorders?
In combination with the anion gap
How can arterial samples be used for evaluation?
To evaluate respiratory function (PCO3 / PO2)
How can venous samples be used for evaluation?
To evaluate acid-base balance
What pH range is considered normal in patients?
pH 7.35-7.45
What are the criteria for metabolic acidosis?
HCO3 < 20mmol/l or BE <-4mEq/l
What are the criteria for metabolic alkalosis?
HCO3 > 24mmol/l or BE > 4mEq/l
What are some causes of hyperglycemia?
Diabetes Mellitus, Stress, Postprandial, Hyperadrenocorticism, Pheochromocytoma, Dioestrus, Acromegaly, Head trauma, Drugs
What happens in diabetes due to a lack of insulin?
Impaired glucose storage, utilization, and uptake
What is the alternative energy source when there is a lack of available energy in diabetes?
Fat
What are fatty acids oxidized into in the liver under the control of glucagon?
Ketone bodies
What is the result when ketone body production in diabetes outstrips utilization?
Acidosis ketosis
What is one of the most common endocrine emergencies in veterinary patients?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
What is the mortality rate of diabetic ketoacidosis in people?
5-10%
What should be considered if there are limited facilities or complicating factors in managing diabetic ketoacidosis?
Referral
What neurological signs are seen in hyperosmolar, non-ketotic diabetes?
Increased serum osmolality, treated similarly to DKA
What is the role of magnesium in cellular mechanisms?
Essential cofactor for Na/K ATPase and NMDA receptor
What can hypomagnesemia lead to?
Refractory hypokalemia
At what rate is magnesium supplementation given?
0.01-0.04 mmol magnesium/kg/hour
What should be considered for faster fluid administration and sampling during stabilization in diabetic ketoacidosis?
A central line
How can serum ketones be measured?
By placing serum onto a urine dipstick
What is the recommended fluid for volume resuscitation in diabetic ketoacidosis?
0.9% NaCl or Hartmann’s solution
What is the suggested volume for fluid boluses in diabetic ketoacidosis?
10ml/kg given over 10-20 minutes
When can insulin therapy be initiated in diabetic ketoacidosis?
Once volume resuscitation is complete
What does the Base Balance (BE) measure?
Base Balance (BE) provides a quantitative estimation of surplus acid or base.
What does a positive Base Balance (BE) value indicate?
Positive BE values reflect an excess of base or deficit of acid.
What is the normal value of Base Balance (BE) for a neutral environment?
A normal animal should have a BE value of zero.
How is Base Balance (BE) defined?
BE is the amount of strong acid required to titrate 1L of blood to a pH of 7.4 at 37°C.
What does Base Excess < -4 mEq/l or HCO3 < 20mmol/l indicate?
Base Excess < -4 mEq/l or HCO3 < 20mmol/l reflects metabolic acidosis.
What are common causes of metabolic acidosis?
Common causes include gain of acid (e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis), lactic acidosis, toxins, renal failure, and loss of bicarbonate.
What does Base Excess >4mEq/l or HCO3 >24mmol/l indicate?
Base Excess >4mEq/l or HCO3 >24mmol/l reflect metabolic alkalosis.
What are common causes of metabolic alkalosis?
Common causes include acute profuse vomiting, excessive use of diuretics, pyloric outflow obstruction, and bicarbonate therapy.
What does PaO2 measure?
PaO2 is the partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in arterial blood.
What is the normal range for PaO2 at sea level?
The normal range for PaO2 is 90-100mmHg at sea level, breathing room air.
How does altitude affect PaO2?
Altitude results in ‘normally’ lower PaO2 values, with compensatory increases in red blood cells.
What PaO2 value is considered hypoxia?
PaO2 < 80mmHg is considered hypoxia.
How is the Alveolar-Arterial O2 Difference (A-a Gradient) calculated?
A-a gradient = PAO2 - PaO2
What does the Alveolar-Arterial O2 Difference (A-a Gradient) measure?
The A-a Gradient measures the difference in O2 tension between the alveolus and artery, providing information about lung function.
What are the normal values for the A-a gradient?
Normal values for the A-a gradient are 5-15 mmHg.
What does O2 saturation (SaO2) measure?
O2 saturation (SaO2) measures the percentage of O2 bound to hemoglobin.
What is considered a normal value for O2 saturation (SaO2)?
SaO2 > 95% is considered normal.
What is the potential cause of pulseless electrical activity (PEA)?
Anaesthetic overdose, acute hypoxia, acidosis, toxicity, and cardiogenic shock
What are the potential causes of ventricular fibrillation?
Unknown in small animals, but common in humans
How can ventricular fibrillation be distinguished from PEA?
By observation of an ECG
What is the recommended treatment for PEA?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPCR) and adrenaline
What is the recommended treatment for ventricular fibrillation?
Defibrillation with a defibrillator or mechanical defibrillation
Which route offers the quickest access to the central circulation for drug administration?
Central venous access
What should be done after administering drugs through peripheral venous access?
Followed by a large volume flush to move the drug into the central circulation
What is the recommended replacement interval for drawn-up drugs in syringes?
Every 2-4 weeks
What are the effects of adrenaline on α-adrenergic receptors?
Peripheral vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and blood flow to the head