Multi-organ dysfunction

Question 1

What is delirium?

Answer 1

An abrupt change in the brain that causes mental confusion and emotional disruption

Question 2

What percentage of ventilated patients will develop delirium?

Answer 2

Up to 80%

Question 3

What are some common causes of delirium?

Answer 3

• Old age
• Co-morbidities
• Visual impairments
• Depression
• Alcohol abuse
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Long term opioid use
• High severity illness
• UTI
• Pneumonia

Question 4

What percentage of patients with delirium typically go undiagnosed?

Answer 4

75% - typically due to intubation and not being able to identify obvious behaviours

Question 5

What is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?

Answer 5

A life=threatening lung injury that allows fluid to leak into the lungs and reduce gas exchange

Question 6

What are some risk factors for development of ARDS?

Answer 6

• Older age
• Severe illness
• History of resp disease
• Diagnosis of sepsis
• Chronic alcohol consumption
• Cigarette smoke exposure
• Emergency or intra-operative fluid resuscitation

Question 7

What resp problems arise in ARDS?

Answer 7

• Increased WOB (increased lung compliance)
• Reduced gas exchange (fluid accumulation)
• V/Q mismatch (less working alveoli)

Question 8

What is sepsis?

Answer 8

A life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to fighting infection damages its own tissues

Can cause organs to function abnormally

Question 9

What is Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome?

Answer 9

An exaggerated defence response of the body to a noxious stressor such as infection, trauma, surgery, acute inflammation, ischemia or malignancy

Question 10

What is the difference between sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome?

Answer 10

Sepsis is specifically linked to infection whereas SIRS is a multitude of stressors

Question 11

What is sepsis shock?

Answer 11

A progression from sepsis where the body’s BP drops to critical levels due to vasodilation despite fluid resuscitation

Question 12

What is Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)?

Answer 12

Altered organ function in an acutely ill patient such that homeostasis can’t be maintained without intervention

Question 13

What is Critical Illness Polyneuropathy?

Answer 13

Widespread weakness and/or sensory loss following critical illness caused by dysfunction of the nervous system

Question 14

What is Critical Illness Myopathy?

Answer 14

Widespread weakness following critical illness caused by dysfunction of the nervous system