Smith Fang Gao (ed.) Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine

Cambridge University Press, 2010. — 410 p. — ISBN: 9780521897747The critical care unit manages patients with a vast range of disease and injuries affecting every organ system. The unit can initially be a daunting environment, with complex monitoring equipment producing large volumes of clinical data. Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine is a practical, comprehensive, introductory-level text for any clinician in their first few months in the critical care unit. It guides clinicians in both the initial assessment and the clinical management of all CCU patients, demystifying the critical care unit and providing key knowledge in a concise and accessible manner. The full spectrum of disorders likely to be encountered in critical care are discussed, with additional chapters on transfer and admission, imaging in the CCU, structure and organisation of the unit, and ethical and legal issues. Written by Critical Care experts, Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine provides comprehensive, concise and easily accessible information for all trainees.Specific Features of Critical Care Medicine:
Recognition of critical illness
Advanced airway management
Patient admission and discharge
Transfer of the critically ill
Scoring systems and outcome
Information management in critical care
Haemodynamics monitoring
Critical care imaging modalities
Vasoactive drugs
Nutrition
Pain control
Sedation
Ethics
Organ donation
Systemic Disorders and Management:
Sepsis
Multiple organ failure
Immunosuppressed patients
Principles of antibiotics use
Fluid and electrolyte disorders
Acid–base abnormalities
Post-operative critical care
Post-resuscitation care
Organ Dysfunction and Management:
Bleeding and clotting disorders
Acute coronary syndromes
Cardiac arrhythmias
Acute heart failure
Mechanical ventilation
Failure of ventilation
Failure of oxygenation
Respiratory weaning
Non-invasive ventilation
Unconventional strategies for respiratory support
Acute gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation
Severe acute pancreatitis
Poisoning
Liver failure
Acute renal failure
Renal replacement therapy
Status epilepticus
Abnormal levels of consciousness
Meningitis and encephalitis
Traumatic brain injury
Trauma and burns
Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia
Obstetric emergencies in the ICU
Paediatric emergencies
Examinations:
Core areas required for UK/European Diploma examinations
Examples of mock MCQs and viva questions