Emergency and Critical Care
Core concepts
Understand triage and the primary survey (ABC: airway, breathing, circulation), shock recognition and fluid resuscitation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) principles including compressions, ventilation, and drug administration routes. Know common emergencies: hemorrhage, GDV, toxin exposure, anaphylaxis, seizures, and heatstroke. Understand monitoring in critical patients (BP, lactate, urine output, mentation) and the concept of perfusion. Know emergency drug classes and their indications (e.g., epinephrine, atropine, lidocaine, mannitol). Recognize the difference between stabilization and definitive treatment.
Traps
Questions test the order of interventions - airway and breathing before circulation in most algorithms, and stabilization before diagnostics. Distinguish shock types (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic) and appropriate fluid strategies. Watch for CPR rate and compression depth guidance, and do not confuse reversible causes with definitive therapy. Toxin questions often hinge on decontamination timing.
Worked example / rule of thumb
Use the "treat the most life-threatening first" rule: airway obstruction before hemorrhage control if the airway is compromised. Rule of thumb: in shock, rapid bolus crystalloid resuscitation is first-line for hypovolemia, then reassess perfusion (mentation, CRT, BP, lactate).
Study focus
Prioritize triage, ABC survey, shock and fluid resuscitation, CPR basics, and common emergency drug indications. Understand stabilization vs. definitive care and monitoring of perfusion.