Critical Care meds
This short-acting IV anesthetic is widely used for sedation in the ICU but is formulated in a lipid emulsion that requires tracking of triglyceride levels
What is Propofol?
This condition, characterized by low serum sodium, often causes neurological symptoms like confusion, headaches, and seizures
What is hyponatremia?
This specific type of myocardial infarction is diagnosed when a patient has clinical symptoms of an MI and elevated cardiac enzymes, but a completely normal or non-diagnostic EKG. It is caused by atherosclerosis, plaque buildup in coronary arteries, narrowed vessels, decreased oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
What is CAD?
Only one value abnormal (CO₂ or HCO₃)
If a patient has a pH of 7.31, a PaCO₂ of 52 mmHg, and an HCO₃⁻ of 30 mEq/L, their compensation state is classified as this.
This term describes an ABG where the pH has returned completely to the normal range, but both the PaCO₂ and HCO₃⁻ remain abnormal?
What is uncompensated?
What is partially compensated?
What is fully compensated
This severe metabolic complication, characterized by ketones in the urine and metabolic acidosis, most commonly occurs in patients with Type 1 Diabetes
IV fluids FIRST
Regular insulin IV
Potassium replacement (once levels drop)
what is DKA?
CNS depressants. They increase the effect of GABA, which slows brain activity. They are used for anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, procedural sedation, muscle spasms, and ventilator tolerance. Lower bp
what are Benzodiazepines
T-wave flattening and prominent U-waves on an EKG are classic cardiac signs of a deficiency in this specific electrolyte.
What is hypokalemia?
Heart cannot pump effectively decreased cardiac output fluid backs up. BNP: Elevated = heart failure. Echocardiogram :EF (normal 55–70%); Low EF = systolic failure. Chest X-ray: Fluid in lungs; Electrolytes: Monitor potassium; ABGs: Hypoxia if severe.
This class of medications, including spironolactone, blocks a specific mineralocorticoid receptor to prevent cardiac remodeling and fluid retention in heart failure. Diuretics
what is CHF?
Used when patient cannot: Oxygenate (low O₂) or Ventilate (high CO₂) .
When a mechanical ventilator sounds this specific alarm, it typically indicates an obstruction, such as excessive secretions, patient biting the tube, or kinked tubing
What is mechanical ventilation?
What is high pressure alarm?
This life-threatening state of acute adrenal insufficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient levels of stress hormones, usually triggered by severe illness, trauma, or abrupt cessation of steroid therapy. Hydrocortisone (IV steroids
what is adrenal crisis?
To prevent severe orthostatic hypotension, a patient experiencing acute chest pain should always sit or lie down before administering this fast-acting sublingual medication. Is a nitrate that causes vasodilation. It decreases preload, decreases cardiac workload, and improves oxygen supply to the myocardium.
what is Nitroglycerin?
Chvostek's sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm) are classic physical assessment findings for a deficiency in this mineral.
What is hypocalcemia?
Artificial valve replaces damaged valve. Blood clots easily form on the valve → risk of embolism. This specific lab test and its standardized ratio must be monitored closely to ensure a patient's lifelong warfarin therapy is in a therapeutic range.
What is mechanical valve replacement?
What are Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)
This severe, life-threatening asthma attack does not respond to standard initial therapies like inhaled bronchodilators and requires aggressive systemic intervention.
This class of fast-acting medications, which includes albuterol, is the first-line rescue treatment to reverse acute bronchospasm
What is status asthmaticus?
What are short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)?
Extreme hyperthyroidism → life-threatening
PTU or methimazole
Beta blockers (propranolol)
Iodine solution
what is thyroid storm?
This benzodiazepine antagonist is administered specifically to reverse the sedation and respiratory depression associated with a benzo overdose
What is flumazenil?
This baseline safety measure must always be double-checked before hanging a potassium-sparing diuretic or potassium replacement, ensuring the kidneys can actually excrete waste.
What is hyperkalemia?
Heart fails as a pump leads to decreased cardiac output and poor perfusion despite adequate volume.
Cardiac output ↓; CVP ↑; Pulmonary artery pressure ↑
Lactate ↑; ABGs → metabolic acidosis
Hypotension, Tachycardia, Cool, clammy skin
what is Cardiogenic Shock?
what are diagnostic tests, labs, and assessment of cardiogenic shock?
Nasal cannula- 1–6 L/min; Mild hypoxia
Simple mask: 6–10 L; Moderate hypoxia
Nonrebreather: 10–15 L ; Severe hypoxia
Venturi mask- Precise oxygen (COPD)
what are Oxygen Delivery (types and indications)?
Severe untreated hypothyroidism → life-threatening metabolic slowdown
Airway support; Warm patient (slowly); IV fluids; Cardiac monitoring. IV levothyroxine
what is MYXEDEMA COMA (EMERGENCY)?
This opioid antagonist is titrated carefully in the ICU to reverse respiratory depression while avoiding acute withdrawal.
What is Naloxone (Narcan)?
If you infuse this type of IV fluid—which has a higher solute concentration than blood—water will shift out of the cells, causing them to shrink.
What is a hypertonic solution?
This specific category of intravenous medications, including norepinephrine and dopamine, is used to constrict blood vessels and artificially raise blood pressure
what are vasopressors?
Failure to maintain oxygenation or remove CO₂; ABGs:
PaO₂ <60
PaCO₂ >50
This massive, acute inflammatory process in the lungs, typically triggered by sepsis, aspiration, or severe trauma, is a premier cause of acute
what is Acute Respiratory Failure?
What is ARDS?
Too much thyroid hormone → increased metabolism
Weight loss; Heat intolerance; Tachycardia; Anxiety; Diarrhea. TSH ↓; T3/T4 ↑.
Methimazole or PTU
Beta blockers (tachycardia)
what is hyperthyroidism?