Emergencies
A life-threatening hypothyroid emergency characterized by severe bradycardia, hypoventilation, and altered mental status.
What is myxedema coma?
This immune-mediated condition involves a sudden drop in platelets 5–10 days after heparin exposure.
What is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
A septic patient continues to have a MAP <65 despite 30 mL/kg fluids.
The next ICU intervention is starting this medication class...
What are vasopressors (e.g., norepinephrine)
This intracranial pressure number is the upper safe limit before intervention is required.
What is 20 mmHg
This ventilator setting prevents alveolar collapse and is commonly high in ARDS.
What is PEEP
In this hypermetabolic endocrine crisis, the ICU nurse expects severe tachycardia, hyperthermia, and the need for beta-blockers.
What is thyroid storm?
A widespread clotting disorder that consumes clotting factors and platelets, often presenting with oozing from lines and petechiae.
What is DIC
The phase of burn care where airway, breathing, and circulation are the priority.
What is the emergent/resuscitation phase
This post-spinal cord injury emergency is triggered by life threatening injury at or above the T6 level and presents with severe hypertension, pounding headache, sweating, and flushed skin above the injury
What is autonomic dysreflexia
This ABG pattern is expected in early sepsis due to tachypnea and blowing off CO₂
What is respiratory alkalosis
This disorder presents with neurologic symptoms due to dilutional hyponatremia and requires hypertonic saline only when severe.
What is SIADH
This autoimmune condition destroys platelets, often requiring steroids, IVIG, or plasmapheresis.
What is Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITC)
This type of shock is expected in severe burns and is caused by massive fluid shifts into the interstitial space
What is burn (hypovolemic) shock
After a TBI, this posture indicates brainstem dysfunction and worsening ICP; described as arms and legs being held straight out, the head and neck arch back and toes point down
What is decerebrate posturing
This syndrome is defined by refractory hypoxemia and bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray
What is ARDS
This condition causes large volumes of dilute urine, dehydration, and high serum sodium, requiring vasopressin or desmopressin in central cases.
What is diabetes insipidus
In a patient with DIC who is bleeding and hypotensive, this blood product is priority to stabilize coagulation factors.
What is FFP (fresh frozen plasma)
This assessment finding suggests impending airway compromise in a burn patient
What is hoarseness, carbonaceous sputum, or singed nasal hairs
A patient with TBI suddenly becomes bradycardic, hypertensive, and irregularly breathing—this triad indicates brainstem herniation risk.
What is Cushing’s triad
This condition presents with decreased urine output, elevated creatinine, and possible need for CRRT
What is acute renal failure
This condition presents with increased ammonia and altered mental status in liver failure
What is hepatic encephalopathy
Post–liver transplant, this sudden change in vitals may indicate acute rejection.
What is fever, jaundice, and rising Liver Function Test (ALT, AST)
This is the first intervention for suspected sepsis in the ICU.
What is obtaining blood cultures and starting antibiotics
A patient with suspected basilar skull fracture should never receive this nursing intervention
What is inserting an NG tube
A patient with severe metabolic acidosis is compensating with this respiratory response
What is Kussmaul respirations