2011, Paper 1 SAQs

 Influence of chronic renal failure on critical illness

(Renal Failure and Dialysis) - Pass rate 33%; highest mark 7.0 .

TIPS procedure. Also, staging and prognosis of chronic liver disease.

(Gastroenterology and Hepatology) - Pass rate 86%; highest mark 8.0 .

Care for the patient with oesophageal perforation

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.25 .

Approach to the undifferentiated shock patient

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 58.3%; highest mark 8.0 .

Pharmacokinetic changes in critical illness: absorption and clearance

(Pharmacology and Toxicology) - Pass rate 31%; highest mark 6.25 .

A mixed alkalosis - combination of respiratory alkalosis and metabolic alkalosis

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio criteria for ARDS. Also, calculation of bicarbonate replacement dose.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis due to normal saline.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Causes of lactic acidosis in sepsis; a triple acid-base disorder

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 86.1%; highest mark 9.25 .

Your ICU is a filthy zoo. Discuss strategies to prevent the transmission of MROs.

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 25%; highest mark 7.25 .

Heparin resistance: diagnostic features and management strategies.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

Von Willebrand disease: characteristic laboratory features and diagnosis.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

"What's Wrong With These Coags?" - Interpretation of mixing studies.

(Haematology and Oncology) - Pass rate 42%; highest mark 8.0 .

Interpretation of formal pulmonary function tests

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 39%; highest mark 7.75 .

Lactic acidosis and respiratory acidosis after seizures

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 39%; highest mark 7.75 .

A comparison of renal replacement therapy modalities: CVVHD vs  SCUF vs IHD

(Renal Failure and Dialysis) - Pass rate 67%; highest mark 9.0 .

Which antibiotic choice would be appropriate for these MROs.

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 61%; highest mark 8.25 .

Characteristic electrolyte derangement patterns

(Electrolytes and Fluids) - Pass rate 100%; highest mark 9.0 .

Ventilation strategies and supportive non-ventilation strategies for ARDS

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 9.75 .

Prognostication following cardiac arrest: the utility of various parameters.

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 9.5 .

Pulseless electrical activity, cardiac tamponade and pericardiocentesis technique.

(Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation) - Pass rate 25%; highest mark 8.1 .

Causes of shock in the cardiac surgical patient; also, immediate management.

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 67%; highest mark 9.0 .

Sodium bicarbonate: its use in DKA

(Endocrinology Metabolism and Nutrition) - Pass rate 67%; highest mark 9.0 .

Causes, consequences and management of hypercalcemia.

(Electrolytes and Fluids) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 7.75 .

Causes of metabolic alkalosis

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 64%; highest mark 7.75 .

The utility of the EEG in the ICU

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 56%; highest mark 8.0 .

Permissive hypotension,  haemostatic resuscitation and damage control surgery.

(Trauma, Burns, Drowning) - Pass rate 47%; highest mark 7.0 .

Preparation for an awake fiberoptic intubation.

(Airway Management) - Pass rate 33%; highest mark 6.25 .

HAGMA with a low albumin; also independent variables in Stewart's approach.

(Acid-Base Disorders) - Pass rate 83.3%; highest mark 10 .

Management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

(Pregnancy, Obstetrics and Gynaecology) - Pass rate 94%; highest mark 10 .

Necrotising fasciitis: "management priorities"

(Infectious Disease Antibiotics and Sepsis) - Pass rate 83%; highest mark 10 .

"What's That Rash?" 

(Miscellaneous Topics) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Horner's Syndrome; specifically, the anatomical sites where the lesion may have occurred.

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Complications of arterial cannulation: a trashed limb post angiography.

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Oculocephalic reflex (CN III, IV, VI and VIII) - what does a normal one tell you?

(Neurology and Neurosurgery) - Pass rate 58%; highest mark 8.37 .

Another game of "Name That ECG Abnormality"

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

Troubleshooting the temporary pacemaker: failure to sense the atrium

(Cardiothoracic Intensive Care) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

Another game of "Name That ECG Abnormality"

(Cardiology) - Pass rate 44%; highest mark 8.25 .

The child with stridor; also, paediatric airway management.

(Neonatal and Paediatric Problems) - Pass rate 72%; highest mark 8.8 .

Anatomy of the PA catheter. Also, directly measured and derived PA catheter variables

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Endotracheal tube: specifically, the above-cuff suction port.

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Nitric oxide supply systems; what might you monitor during nitric oxide therapy?

(Equipment and Procedures) - Pass rate 50%; highest mark 7.45 .

Blinding and allocation concealment

(Statistics and Interpretation of Evidence) - Pass rate 28%; highest mark 7.6 .

End-tidal capnometry traces and analysis of ventilator waveforms

(Respiratory Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation) - Pass rate 56%; highest mark 8.5 .