Recognising Deterioration

Question 1

In what % of cardiac arrests is there deterioration in clinical signs prior to arrest?

Answer 1

80%

Prevention is best treatment

Question 2

Name any 5 causes of airway obstruction

Answer 2

CNS depression 
Blood
Vomit
Foreign body
Trauma 
Epiglottitis 
Pharyngeal swelling (2ry infection/ oedema) 
Laryngospasm 
Bronchospasm
Bronchial secretions
Blocked Tracheostomy 
Sleep apnoea

Question 3

Causes of CNS depression?

Answer 3

Head injury
Inter cerebral disease
Hypercapnia
Drugs (alcohol/opioids/)

Question 4

How does laryngospasm occur?

Answer 4

With upper airway stimulation in a semi-conscious patient whose airway reflexes remain intact

Question 5

How to treat aspiration?

Answer 5

Suction and recovery position

Question 6

How to treat respiratory distress?

Answer 6

Oxygen dummy.

Then identify cause and treat accordingly thoracentesis/ abx/ nebuliser/etc etc

Question 7

What is commonest cause of cardiac death?

Answer 7

Arrhythmia caused by Ischaemia

Question 8

What are the causes of ventricular fibrillation? Name any 4

Answer 8

ACS
HTN
Valve disease 
Drugs
Inherited cardiac disease eg long QT 
Acidosis 
Abnormal electrolytes ( Mg2+, K+, Ca2+)
Hypothermia 
Electrocution

Question 9

Name inherited causes of sudden cardiac death

Answer 9

Long and Short QT syndromes, Brugada Syndrome, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Question 10

What features suggest cardiac cause for syncope?

Answer 10

Syncope in supine position
Syncope occurring during exercise 
No or brief prodromal symptoms 
Repeated episodes unexplained syncope
FHx sudden death