ABP Pediatric Critical Care Medicine study guide
ABP Pediatric Critical Care Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) certification is the American Board of Pediatrics subspecialty credential for pediatricians who care for critically ill infants, children, and adolescents. Earning it requires both accredited fellowship training and a passing performance on the subspecialty certifying examination; board certification is a voluntary process that goes beyond state medical licensure. The ABP Pediatric Critical Care Medicine study guide has 8 sections and about 2,405 words.
01Respiratory Physiology, Respiratory Failure, and Mechanical Ventilation
Oxygen delivery is the product of cardiac output and arterial oxygen content: CaO2 = 1.34 x Hb x SaO2 + 0.003 x PaO2. This is why a severely anemic child can have a reassuring saturation yet inadequate delivery.
321 words, about 2 min02Cardiovascular Physiology, Shock, and Hemodynamic Support
The circulation delivers oxygen: DO2 = cardiac output x CaO2 x 10. Cardiac output equals heart rate times stroke volume, and stroke volume depends on preload, afterload, and contractility (Frank-Starling).
317 words, about 2 min03Sepsis, Infection, and Immunologic Disorders
The 2020 Surviving Sepsis pediatric guidance emphasizes recognition, timely antibiotics, and careful fluid titration. For septic shock, give antibiotics within one hour of recognition; for sepsis without shock, within three hours.
279 words, about 1 min04Neurologic and Neurosurgical Critical Care
The Monro-Kellie doctrine states that brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid share a fixed volume, so adding any component raises intracranial pressure (ICP). Cerebral perfusion pressure equals mean arterial pressure minus ICP; typical targets are above 40 mmHg in infants and above 50 mmHg in older children.
291 words, about 1 min05Trauma, Burns, and Surgical or Perioperative Critical Care
The primary survey follows airway with cervical spine protection, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. Children compensate well and then decompensate abruptly.
304 words, about 2 min06Renal, Endocrine, Metabolic, and Gastrointestinal Critical Care
Acute kidney injury is staged by creatinine rise and urine output; creatinine lags behind injury, so oliguria and fluid overload often lead. Treat hyperkalemia with calcium for cardiac membrane stabilization, insulin with dextrose, nebulized albuterol, and removal by dialysis when refractory.
300 words, about 2 min07Procedures, Monitoring, Resuscitation, and Transport
Rapid sequence intubation requires preoxygenation, optimized hemodynamics, a premedication plan, and a confirmed end-tidal carbon dioxide trace. Ketamine preserves hemodynamics; etomidate provides stability but can suppress adrenal function.
303 words, about 2 min08Ethics, End-of-Life Care, Professionalism, and Systems of Care
Parents or guardians provide surrogate consent using the best-interests standard, while children should give assent when developmentally able, generally from about 7-13 years. Parental authority is not absolute; clinicians may seek ethics consultation or court involvement when a decision causes serious harm.
290 words, about 1 min