Wed3November0903PM 7

Which of the following are potential causes of pulseless electrical activity (PEA):

True / False

A small apical pneumothorax Correct

Type I respiratory failure Correct

Hypokalaemia Correct

A core temperature of 35.5°C Correct

Hypocalcaemia Incorrect answer selected

Explanation

The causes of pulseless electrical activity (PEA), which was previously known as electromechanical dissociation (EMD), can be summarised into the 4 Hs and 4 Ts:

hypoxia

hypovolaemia

hypothermia

hyper/hypokalaemia

tension pneumothorax

cardiac tamponade

thromboembolism, and

toxic/therapeutic disorders.

Type I respiratory failure is characterised by hypoxaemia and a normal or low PaCO2.

Hypothermia is defined as a core temperature less than 36°C but a temperature of 35.5°C is not a cause of PEA.

A small pneumothorax, which is not pressurised, is unlikely to cause hypoxaemia or compromise gas exchange.

Low serum potassium and calcium are recognised causes of PEA.

Answer Statistics

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Average score: 82.90%

Times answered: 262