A 51-year-old woman is brought into the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. She is unconscious and was intubated in the field. Past medical history is unknown. Upon arrival, she is hypotensive and tachycardic. Her temperature is 37.2°C (99.1°F), the pulse is 110/min, the respiratory rate is 22/min, and the blood pressure is 85/60 mm Hg. There is no evidence of head trauma, she withdraws to pain and her pupils are 2mm and reactive to light. Her heart has a regular rhythm without any murmurs or rubs and her lungs are clear to auscultation. Her abdomen is firm and distended with decreased bowel sounds. Her extremities are cool and clammy with weak, thready pulses. There is no peripheral edema. Of the following, what is the likely cause of her presentation?
ASeptic shock
BNeurogenic shock
CObstructive shock
DHypovolemic shock
ECardiogenic shock
A 27-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. He was the unrestrained driver in a head on collision. The patient is responding incoherently and is complaining of being in pain. He has several large lacerations and has been impaled with a piece of metal. IV access is unable to be obtained and a FAST exam is performed. His temperature is 98.2°F (36.8°C), blood pressure is 90/48 mmHg, pulse is 150/min, respirations are 13/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Which of the following is the best next step in management?
AReattempt intravenous access
BObtain intraosseous access
CPlace a central line
DAdminister oral fluids
EExploratory laparotomy
An 8-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department by her parents with severe difficulty in breathing for an hour. She is struggling to breathe. She was playing outside with her friends, when she suddenly fell to the ground, out of breath. She was diagnosed with asthma one year before and has since been on treatment for it. At present, she is sitting leaning forward with severe retractions of the intercostal muscles. She is unable to lie down. Her parents mentioned that she has already taken several puffs of her inhaler since this episode began but without response. On physical examination, her lungs are hyperresonant to percussion and there is decreased air entry in both of her lungs. Her vital signs show: blood pressure 110/60 mm Hg, pulse 110/min, respirations 22/min, and a peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of 50%. She is having difficulty in communicating with the physician. Her blood is sent for evaluation and a chest X-ray is ordered. Her arterial blood gas reports are as follows: PaO2 50 mm Hg pH 7.38 PaCO2 47 mm Hg HCO3 27 mEq/L Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
AIntravenous corticosteroid
BInhaled corticosteroid
CMechanical ventilation
DMethacholine challenge test
EInhaled β-agonist
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