Critical Care Medicine Quiz

Admission to Intensive Care

• A common indication for admission to intensive care is a severe or life-threatening condition that requires close monitoring and treatment.

Intensive Care Units (ICUs)

• ICUs provide facilities for advanced life support, close monitoring, and specialized care for critically ill patients.
• ICUs are equipped with advanced medical equipment, including mechanical ventilators, and 'near-patient testing' devices.

High-Dependency Units (HDUs)

• HDUs provide intermediate-level care for patients who are less critically ill than those in ICUs but still require close monitoring and support.
• The purpose of HDUs is to provide a step-down level of care for patients who no longer require ICU-level care but still need close observation.

Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)

• A MEWS score of ≥5 indicates a high risk of clinical deterioration and the need for urgent medical attention.

Medical Emergency Team (MET)

• The purpose of a Medical Emergency Team (MET) is to respond quickly to acute medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrests or respiratory failures, in hospital settings.

Teamwork in Intensive Care

• Effective teamwork is crucial in intensive care, as it ensures that patients receive comprehensive and coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

ICU vs. HDU Care

• ICU care is more intensive and specialized than HDU care, with a higher staff-to-patient ratio and more advanced medical equipment.

'Near-Patient Testing' Devices

• 'Near-patient testing' devices in ICUs allow for rapid diagnosis and monitoring of patients, enabling healthcare professionals to respond quickly to changes in patient condition.

Mechanical Ventilators

• Technological advances have improved mechanical ventilators in ICUs, enabling more efficient and effective respiratory support for patients.

Bed Capacity in the UK

• In the UK, there are a proportion of ICU and HDU beds per 100,000 population, providing access to critical care services for patients in need.

Focus of Critical Care Medicine

• Critical care medicine focuses on the comprehensive care of critically ill patients, incorporating advanced life support, close monitoring, and specialized treatment.

Role of ICUs in Hospitals

• Intensive care units (ICUs) play a crucial role in hospitals, providing specialized care for critically ill patients who require close monitoring and advanced life support.

Medical Emergency Teams and Outreach Care

• Medical emergency teams and outreach care services are designed to provide rapid response to medical emergencies and maintain continuity of care for critically ill patients.

Role of ICU Staff

• ICU staff, including intensivists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, work together as a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care to critically ill patients.

Resuscitation and Transport Teams

• Resuscitation and transport teams in hospitals are responsible for responding to medical emergencies, stabilizing patients, and transporting them to ICUs or other critical care areas.

Less Invasive Techniques for Assessing Cardiac Function

• Less invasive techniques for assessing cardiac function in critically ill patients focus on non-invasive monitoring and diagnosis, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes.

Acid-Base Imbalance in Critically Ill Patients

• A common disturbance of acid-base balance in critically ill patients is metabolic acidosis, which can occur due to various underlying conditions or treatments.

Acute Disturbances of Haemodynamic Function

• Examples of acute disturbances of haemodynamic function in critically ill patients include hypovolemia, cardiogenic shock, and septic shock, which require prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

• A common condition that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critically ill patients is pneumonia, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Withholding and Withdrawing Treatment in Critical Care

• Withholding or withdrawing treatment in critical care medicine involves carefully considering the patient's quality of life, prognosis, and personal preferences when making end-of-life care decisions.