Critical Care Patient Management Quiz

A measure of the amount of acid or base needed to bring the blood's pH back to normal.

When the body tries to correct an abnormal pH by adjusting the respiratory system.

When the body attempts to adjust the pH by altering the levels of bicarbonate.

A condition where the blood's pH is too high.

A condition where the blood's pH is too low.

A patient whose needs can be met on a regular ward, without requiring specialized critical care.

A patient who is at risk of their condition deteriorating, requiring close monitoring and support from a critical care team, but can be managed on a general ward with advice and support from the critical care team.

Patients who require more frequent monitoring or intervention, often needing support for a single failing organ system. This level also includes patients who are recovering from intensive care (HDU).

This level involves patients requiring advanced respiratory support, including those with complex conditions involving multiple organ failure. This is the highest level of critical care, typically in an ICU setting.

The process of transferring a critically ill patient from one care setting to another, often involving a dedicated team of healthcare professionals.

Oxygen saturation levels dropping indicate a risk of acidosis, an imbalance in the body's acid-base balance.

The process of providing oxygen to the body through a mask and bag, often used in emergencies.

A difficult airway refers to a situation where securing an airway with a mask or endotracheal tube is challenging.

Beavals are a type of mask used for ventilation, but getting a good seal on the patient's face can be problematic, especially when a patient has facial features that make a tight fit difficult.

The cricoid cartilage is ring-shaped and can completely block the esophagus when pressure is applied. This is often used to prevent aspiration (food or fluid entering the lungs) during emergency procedures.

Reflexes are involuntary actions triggered by sensory nerves that initiate motor responses. These reflexes protect the airway from foreign objects, but are suppressed during general anesthesia.

The pharyngeal reflex, triggered by the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, causes muscle contractions in the throat to eliminate foreign objects. This reflex is closely related to vomiting, salivary, and cardiac centers in the brain.

The laryngeal reflex protects the trachea from foreign objects by closing the glottis (opening of the trachea). The reflex is triggered by sensory nerves in the larynx and hypopharynx, causing a spasm of the laryngeal muscles.

A life-threatening condition where the body's circulatory system fails to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and organs.

A type of shock caused by a severe infection where the body's immune response goes into overdrive.

A type of shock where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively due to problems like arrhythmia or heart attack.

A measure of the size of arteries that blood passes through.

A condition affecting multiple organs when the body fails to deliver enough oxygen to cells due to shock, leading to cell death and organ dysfunction.

Specialized cardiac cells that initiate and regulate the heart's rhythm.

The main pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium.

A group of autorhythmic cells located near the bottom of the right atrium.

The electrical activity of the heart, visualized on an ECG.

The part of the ECG that represents atrial depolarization.

The part of the ECG that represents ventricular depolarization.

The part of the ECG that represents ventricular repolarization.

The time interval on the ECG representing the delay in the AV node.

The time interval on the ECG representing the electrical activity of the ventricles.

The state of a cardiac cell when it is not electrically active.

The process of using oxygen and glucose to produce energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen. This also releases carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Decreased pH of blood due to an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, often related to impaired lung function.

Low pH in the blood due to an excess of acid, like lactic acid, often caused by insufficient oxygen.

The space between the outer surface of the lungs and the inner thoracic wall, filled with a lubricating fluid.

The expansion or contraction of the lungs directly corresponds to the expansion or contraction of the thoracic cavity.

Pressure added to the lungs at the end of exhalation, making it easier for the lungs to stay inflated and facilitate gas exchange.

A condition where fluid or air accumulates in the pleural space, causing pressure and potentially collapsing the lung.

The ability of the lungs to expand easily during inhalation. Lower compliance means the lungs are stiffer and harder to inflate.

A life-threatening situation where the larynx (voice box) narrows, making breathing difficult. This is common in patients with conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma, as the drugs used to treat these conditions can trigger a narrowing of the airways.

A rapid heartbeat, often exceeding 100 beats per minute. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, dehydration, and certain medical conditions.

A slow heartbeat, often below 60 beats per minute. It can be dangerous if it slows down too much, as the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

High blood pressure, which can be dangerous if it's too high, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Low blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and even passing out. It happens when the heart isn't able to pump enough blood throughout the body.

A severe allergic reaction that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild skin reactions to life-threatening respiratory distress. It's triggered by exposure to an allergen, like peanuts or bee stings.

A dangerous condition that can happen after being exposed to certain drugs used in surgery, causing muscle rigidity, fever, and a rapid heart rate. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

A serious condition that happens when local anesthetic is accidentally absorbed into the bloodstream. It can cause changes in consciousness, heart rhythm problems, and even cardiac arrest.