ABEM Neurocritical Care study plan

Differentiate intravenous thrombolysis from mechanical thrombectomy eligibility from memory for anterior and posterior circulation syndromes, including time windows, imaging selection criteria, and absolute contraindications.

Construct a bedside blood-pressure algorithm for acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, naming the threshold that triggers treatment in each.

Interpret noncontrast CT and CT angiography findings for hemorrhage, large-vessel occlusion, and malignant edema without referring to images.

Rehearse anticoagulation reversal in warfarin-, DOAC-, and heparin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage, naming the agent, dose, and monitoring test for each.

Classify traumatic brain injury severity and sequence tiered intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure management from initial resuscitation through decompressive surgery.

Calculate cerebral perfusion pressure and interpret intracranial pressure waveform changes that signal herniation or catheter malfunction.

Distinguish neurogenic shock from spinal shock and state mean arterial pressure targets, immobilization decisions, and steroid controversies in acute spinal cord injury.

Outline surgical consultation triggers for expanding contusion, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and odontoid fracture.

Differentiate convulsive from nonconvulsive status epilepticus and construct a time-stamped drug sequence covering benzodiazepine dosing, second-line agent, and refractory infusion.

Interpret written EEG descriptions of generalized and focal status patterns and identify the point at which continuous monitoring is required.

Compare Guillain-Barre syndrome and myasthenic crisis by presentation, respiratory failure thresholds, and indications for intubation.

Anticipate autonomic instability and dysautonomia in severe status epilepticus and state a monitoring plan.

Synthesize stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury management into 20 rapid-fire vignettes answered in under 90 seconds each.

Identify cross-domain conflicts in blood pressure goals, seizure prophylaxis, and anticoagulation reversal between ischemic stroke, hemorrhage, and trauma.

Audit weeks 1 through 3 error logs and rank the five highest-frequency missed concepts for targeted review.

Re-derive the indications and contraindications for osmotic therapy, hyperventilation, and decompressive hemicraniectomy from first principles.

Interpret intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, brain tissue oxygen, and jugular venous oxygen saturation values and state the intervention each abnormal value triggers.

Select the appropriate imaging study for acute deterioration in stroke, trauma, and suspected cerebral venous thrombosis, justifying contrast and radiation choices.

Sequence the procedural steps for external ventricular drain placement, lumbar puncture, and emergent airway management in raised intracranial pressure.

Recognize neuromonitoring artifacts and explain when an abnormal value should be verified rather than treated.

Apply lung-protective ventilation and carbon dioxide targets to neurocritical care patients and state extubation criteria after neurologic injury.

Manage sodium disorders, diabetes insipidus, and acute kidney injury in the neurocritical care unit using calculated free-water deficit and sodium correction limits.

Interpret mixed neurocritical care physiology calculations including cerebral perfusion pressure, serum osmolality, corrected sodium, and fluid balance.

Integrate continuous EEG, intracranial pressure, and imaging data into a single daily assessment for a simulated patient.

Apply multimodal prognostication after cardiac arrest using examination, EEG, neuron-specific enolase, and imaging, and state when prognostication must be deferred.

Distinguish brain death determination prerequisites, confounding conditions, and required ancillary testing from memory.

Manage fever, hyperglycemia, dysphagia, delirium, and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the neurocritical care unit.

Deliver structured family updates that disclose prognosis, uncertainty, and goals-of-care options without false reassurance.

Simulate two full-length timed examinations of 60 items each under test conditions with no references.

Compile a 25-item personal high-yield review sheet drawn only from the accumulated error logs.

Rehearse 20 rapid oral cases spanning all five domains, answering each in under two minutes.

Rank remaining knowledge gaps by frequency and risk, then close the top five before test day.