Knowledge Base

STEMI requires emergent reperfusion: PCI within 90 minutes or thrombolysis within 30 minutes

Acute liver failure is new liver injury with INR ≥1.5 and encephalopathy in a patient without pre-existing cirrhosis.

Acute pain is best managed with multimodal analgesia (e.g., paracetamol ± NSAID ± local/regional anaesthesia) with opioids for breakthrough pain.

Acute pericarditis classically causes diffuse ST elevation with PR depression.

Acute severe asthma (adults/adolescents): speaks only a few words, RR ≥25, HR ≥110, SpO₂ 92–96% on room air, FEV1/PEF ≤50% predicted/personal best

Adrenaline is the first-line drug for anaphylaxis and a key medication in cardiac arrest. Know the doses and routes.

Adult defibrillation energy is commonly 200 J biphasic (or follow manufacturer recommendation).

In an airway emergency, prioritise oxygenation over intubation attempts.

First-line treatment: IM adrenaline 0.5 mg (0.5 mL of 1:1000) into lateral thigh. Repeat every 5 minutes if no improvement.

For most stable VTE (DVT/PE), DOACs are first-line unless contraindicated.

Suspect aortic dissection in abrupt, severe chest/back pain, especially with pulse/BP differentials or neurological deficits

HEART score components: History, ECG, Age, Risk factors, Troponin

Paracetamol toxicity treatment line on Rumack-Matthew nomogram starts at 150 mg/L at 4 hours

ARDS is an acute inflammatory lung injury causing non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and severe hypoxaemia.

AF is irregularly irregular with no distinct P waves.

BLS follows DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation.

In most acute upper GI bleeding, use a restrictive strategy: transfuse PRBCs when Hb <70 g/L and target 70–90 g/L.

Burns cause local tissue injury plus systemic inflammatory response. Fluid resuscitation is critical in the first 24-48 hours to prevent burn shock.

Shock is defined as inadequate oxygen delivery leading to anaerobic metabolism and cellular dysfunction

Assume cervical spine injury in major trauma until cleared; maintain immobilisation during airway management

Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate chest decompression (needle: 2nd ICS at/just lateral to MCL or 4th/5th ICS just anterior to mid-axillary line)

ANZCOR Algorithm: Alternate 5 back blows with 5 chest thrusts until obstruction clears or patient becomes unconscious.

Compartment syndrome 6 Ps: Pain (out of proportion, worse on passive stretch), Paraesthesia, Pallor, Paralysis (late), Pulselessness (late), Poikilothermia (cool limb)

Complete heart block is AV dissociation: atria and ventricles beat independently.

NIV is first-line for COPD exacerbation with respiratory acidosis (pH < 7.35)

Delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness with additional cognitive change due to an underlying medical cause.

DKA triad: Hyperglycaemia (BSL &gt;11 mmol/L) + ketosis (blood ketones &gt;3 mmol/L) + metabolic acidosis (pH &lt;7.3 or HCO₃ &lt;15).

ST elevation in II, III, aVF localises to an inferior infarct (often RCA).

Intubation secures a definitive airway. RSI (Rapid Sequence Intubation) is the standard technique for emergency intubation in patients with full stomach.

This article covers Crystalloid vs colloid, Fluid responsiveness, Endpoints.

This article covers Description system, Imaging, Neurovascular assessment.

Red flags for secondary headache (SNOOP₄): Systemic symptoms/illness, Neurological signs, Onset sudden (thunderclap), Older age (>50 new headache), Previous headache different, Pos

Hyperkalaemia (K⁺ >5.5 mmol/L) is a medical emergency when severe (>6.5) or with ECG changes. It causes fatal arrhythmias.

Shock is defined as inadequate oxygen delivery leading to anaerobic metabolism and cellular dysfunction

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic with analgesic, amnestic, and bronchodilator properties. It maintains airway reflexes and haemodynamic stability.

This article covers Indications, Modes, Settings.

NIV (BiPAP) improves outcomes in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure from COPD exacerbation.

The 4 Hs of reversible causes are: Hypoxia, Hypovolaemia, Hypo/hyperkalaemia, Hypothermia

Normal sinus rhythm has a P wave before every QRS with a regular rate typically 60–100 bpm.

Open fractures require urgent IV antibiotics as soon as possible (ideally within 1 hour), plus tetanus status review and early orthopaedic involvement.

Naloxone for opioid reversal: titrate 40–80 micrograms IV every 2–3 minutes to adequate ventilation (aim for breathing, not full arousal).

Target SpO₂ in COPD is 88-92% to reduce risk of oxygen-associated hypercapnia (mainly V/Q mismatch + Haldane effect)

Paracetamol toxicity treatment line on Rumack-Matthew nomogram starts at 150 mg/L at 4 hours

Pneumothorax = air in the pleural space causing lung collapse. Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate decompression - see primary survey.

This article covers Post-ROSC checklist, TTM, Prognostication.

Procedural sedation requires continuous airway readiness (suction, BVM, oxygen) and close monitoring.

Wells score >4 indicates PE likely; proceed to CTPA

The A-a gradient = PAO₂ - PaO₂, where PAO₂ = FiO₂(Patm - PH₂O) - PaCO₂/0.8

Distributive shock (sepsis) has reduced preload, reduced contractility, and reduced SVR

Shock = Inadequate oxygen supply leading to anaerobic cellular metabolism, inefficient ATP production, and organ dysfunction.

VF/pVT are treated with immediate defibrillation plus high-quality CPR.

Definition: Continuous seizure activity ≥5 minutes OR ≥2 seizures without recovery of consciousness between them. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

This article covers DETECT system, ABCDEFG systematic assessment, 7 Es at risk.

Trauma primary survey follows ABCDE with simultaneous C-spine immobilisation

GCS components: Eye opening (1-4), Verbal response (1-5), Motor response (1-6)

In septic shock, the first-line vasopressor is noradrenaline titrated to a MAP ≥65 mmHg (individualise target).