ACRRM MCQ flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

qSOFA criteria

Respiratory rate 22/min or more, systolic blood pressure 100 mmHg or less, and altered mentation. Two or more criteria in suspected infection indicate high risk and prompt escalation and retrieval planning.

Absolute CVD risk threshold

In Australian guidelines, adults with 5-year absolute cardiovascular risk above 15% warrant lipid-lowering therapy; those at 10–15% warrant lifestyle intervention and consideration of treatment.

Acute rheumatic fever major criteria

Carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules. Diagnosis requires evidence of preceding streptococcal infection plus two major or one major and two minor criteria.

Ferritin diagnostic cutoff

A ferritin below 30 micrograms/L confirms iron deficiency in adults. When inflammation is present and ferritin is 30–100, transferrin saturation below 20% supports the diagnosis.

Warfarin INR targets

Most indications target INR 2.0–3.0. Mechanical mitral valves and some recurrent thrombosis scenarios target 2.5–3.5. Adjust doses by percentage change rather than fixed increments.

Paediatric asthma exacerbation treatment

Give salbutamol via spacer with mask, add ipratropium for severe attacks, and prescribe prednisolone 1–2 mg/kg (maximum 50 mg) daily for three to five days.

HbA1c diagnostic thresholds

HbA1c of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or higher supports diabetes diagnosis. Values of 5.7–6.4% (39–47 mmol/mol) indicate prediabetes. Confirm with repeat testing unless symptoms are unequivocal.

Otitis media with perforation

First-line treatment is amoxicillin 15 mg/kg/dose (maximum 500 mg) three times daily for five to seven days. Avoid amoxicillin if perforation has persisted beyond two weeks.

Antibiotic timing in sepsis

In suspected sepsis with hypotension or organ dysfunction, give broad-spectrum antibiotics within one hour of recognition. Each hour of delay increases mortality risk.

Hypertension diagnosis in general practice

Diagnose when clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher, confirmed by ambulatory or home monitoring. Home average threshold is 135/85 mmHg.

Spacer versus nebuliser

For acute asthma in children, a pressurised metered-dose inhaler with spacer and mask is at least as effective as a nebuliser and reduces infection transmission risk.

Gout acute flare treatment

First-line options are NSAIDs, colchicine, or oral corticosteroids. Do not stop urate-lowering therapy during a flare; add prophylaxis when starting it.

Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation

Use CHA2DS2-VA score to guide anticoagulation. Score of 2 or more warrants anticoagulation; score of 1 should be considered. DOACs are preferred over warfarin in most patients.

Opioid initiation in general practice

Before starting strong opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, assess risk, agree on a treatment plan, check prescription monitoring, and review within four weeks.

Postpartum haemorrhage first-line drugs

Give oxytocin 5 IU intramuscularly plus tranexamic acid 1 g intravenously within three hours. Escalate to retrieval if bleeding continues after 30 minutes.

Snakebite first aid

Apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage and splint for suspected elapid bites. Do not cut, suck, or wash the wound. Antivenom is guided by clinical features and venom detection.

Cold chain temperature range

Vaccines must be stored at +2 to +8 °C. Freezing damages most adjuvanted vaccines. Use a data logger and follow national storage guidelines for excursions.

Procedural sedation fasting rules

Fast for two hours from clear fluids and six hours from solids before procedural sedation. Continuous SpO2 and capnography monitoring are required, with a dedicated airway clinician.

Retrieval triage categories

Aeromedical retrieval uses priority categories; category 1 requires immediate response, category 2 within hours, category 3 within 12–24 hours, and category 4 scheduled within 24–48 hours.

Mass casualty triage systems

START and Sieve sort adults into immediate, delayed, minor, and expectant categories. JumpSTART adapts this for children, incorporating respiratory effort and pulse assessment.

Telehealth Schedule 8 prescribing

Most Australian jurisdictions require real-time video consultation for initial Schedule 8 prescribing. Asynchronous store-and-forward communication is generally insufficient for opioid initiation.

Rural obstetric retrieval criteria

Escalate to retrieval for preterm labour before 34 weeks, suspected placental abruption, severe pre-eclampsia, or any condition exceeding local procedural capability.

Credentialing for rural procedures

Rural GPs performing anaesthesia, obstetrics, or surgery require documented logbooks, supervision, and regular skills maintenance under hospital credentialing frameworks.

Prehospital trauma haemorrhage control

Apply direct pressure, tourniquets for limb haemorrhage, and pelvic binders for suspected pelvic fracture. Give tranexamic acid within three hours of injury.

Aeromedical transfer communication

Use a structured ISBAR handover: identify, situation, background, assessment, recommendation. Include vital signs, interventions, allergies, and estimated transfer time.

Remote clinic emergency drugs

Stock adrenaline, atropine, naloxone, glucagon, salbutamol, and antivenom where indicated. Check expiry dates monthly and document temperature logs for cold-chain items.

Bushfire smoke health advice

Advise sensitive groups to stay indoors with windows closed, use air conditioning on recirculate, and seek care if wheeze or breathlessness develops.

Drowning resuscitation priorities

Start rescue breathing early; hypoxia is the primary insult. Do not attempt to drain water from lungs. Provide CPR and arrange retrieval for any submersion with symptoms.

Heat illness in remote workers

Heat stroke is core temperature above 40 °C with altered mentation. Cool immediately with ice packs and cold water immersion, give fluids, and arrange urgent retrieval.

Rural maternity shared care

Shared care between GP and hospital requires documented schedule of visits, agreed escalation criteria, and clear communication of results to the receiving maternity service.

Farm machinery injury prevention

Power take-off entanglement and tractor rollover are leading causes. Rollover protection, guarding, and high-visibility clothing reduce injury rates on rural properties.

Emergency evacuation decision

Decide on evacuation based on patient acuity, local capability, weather, and road or air access. Document the decision, timing, and communication with the retrieval service.