2021 Second Sitting SAQs

This is a level 1 topic. An understanding as to how the body regulates water is crucial to the daily practice of critical care, this topic is well described in the major texts. This type of question lends itself to the basic template of sensor mechanisms, central processing and integration with effector limbs and feedback loops. However, high scoring answers require a quantification of responses and an introduction into how these processes are integrated and fine-tuned.

Although the pass rate for this question was reasonably high the examiners commented on a lack of detailed knowledge within most answers for such a core component of our daily practice. Several candidates failed to provide a normal value and only few provided anything other than 5l/min. There was a general lack of detail, and at times, some confusion about the Frank Starling effect. Most candidates outlined the major determinants of stroke volume, although many were light on the determinants of each or incorporated incorrect facts. Several candidates did not mention HR as a determinant of CO.

This question provided headings for the answer template. Good answers integrated the required facts from the appropriate chapters of the major texts. Most answers lacked detail surrounding the factors that increase or decrease angiotensin activity. Few answers provided any detail as to all the mechanisms through which angiotensin exerts it effects. A lot of answers focussed singularly on the vascular effects of angiotensin. Overall, there was often a paucity of detail, with vague statements and incorrect facts.

There was a wide range of marks for this question with a few candidates scoring excellent marks. Those answers that scored well provided a comprehensive list of functions as well as an explanation as to the what, how and/or why of these functions. Poorer answers omitted some of the functions or failed to elaborate on them by providing only a limited list. The second component of the question was generally well outlined, most candidates provided some estimate of normal values at term and a simple elaboration regarding the factors that affect placental blood flow.

This was a new question and overall, most candidates provided some detail on each component as requested. Those answers that used a simple template for each section generally scored better than those who wrote in a paragraph style for each section. Areas expected to be covered included the following; a definition of the variable to provide context, a normal value and the range of influences that effect the variable both related to liver function and or extrinsic to the liver (attempting to introduce the concepts of sensitivity and specificity for each test). Stronger answers provided some context as to whether the variable was sensitive to acute or chronic changes in liver function and which synthetic/metabolic component of the liver the variable represented.

The overall pass rate for this question was poor considering how relevant this area of anatomy is in our daily practice. Better scoring answers used a template including a general description, origin, course and relations, tributaries and as requested in this question, the surface anatomy. Many answers that scored poorly only provided the briefest detail, were vague in their descriptions and incorrect with respect to the facts presented or imprecise with respect to the terminology used.

This was a two-part question with marks and thus timing of the answers given as a percentage. There are generally many ways to classify drugs within the same class. These are usually well described in the relevant recommended pharmacological texts. Receptor distribution throughout the body and the effect of the drug-receptor interaction are useful ways to organise systemic pharmacodynamic responses, as opposed to a list of organ systems with associated vague statements of interaction.

This is a core aspect of respiratory physiology, and a detailed understanding of this topic is crucial to the daily practise of intensive care. As such the answers were expected to be detailed. Strong answers included precise descriptions of the zones of the lung as described by West and related these to the V/Q relationship in the upright lung. Generally, most candidates scored well in this section. Diagrams were of varying value. However, an impression from the examiners was that candidates spent too much time on this first section and ran out of time for a detailed answer in the second section. The answers to the second section seemed rushed and were often lacking in detail with many incorrect facts. This question highlights the importance of exam technique preparation in the lead up to the written paper.

The question asked for a detailed account of the side effects of amiodarone, hence those candidates that just provided a list or outline scored less well. It was expected that candidates provide some detail of the side effect. Answers that scored well prioritised those relevant to ICU clinical practice. Many provided disorganised outlines of the side effects and frequently the cardiovascular side effects were poorly explained. Many candidates omitted the important drug interactions of amiodarone use and few candidates related the side effect profile to the duration of treatment.

It was expected candidates cover the breadth of the factors that affect airway resistance. Generally, as a concept the type of flow (laminar vs turbulent) was answered well by most candidates, however many failed to mention the other factors that affect airway resistance. Airway diameter as a primary determinant of airway resistance was commonly omitted. Better answers which covered the factors affecting airway diameter classified them broadly and included examples such as physical compression/external obstruction, broncho-motor tone and local cellular mechanisms. Some answers did not explain these factors in enough detail and often with incorrect facts.

Mixed venous oxygen saturation is used as a surrogate marker for the overall balance between oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption. A good answer stated this, described the importance of where it is measured and went on to describe the various factors that affect oxygen delivery and consumption. Descriptions of the factors that affect oxygen saturation of haemoglobin, partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and position of oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve were necessary to score well. Important omissions were factors that increased and decreased oxygen consumption. While many candidates were able to correctly write the equations for oxygen content and oxygen flux, they then failed to describe how the variables within these equations were related to mixed venous oxygen saturation.

This question was divided in three sections to help candidates formulate an answer template, which for the most part was answered well. Most answers included a detailed description of the production and regulation of thyroid hormones, including the importance of negative feedback. A brief description of the action of thyroid hormones on intracellular receptors, and a system-based description of physiological effects, including CHO, protein and fat metabolism was expected.

This question has been asked previously, the answer template expected some description rather than a list of drug interactions. Generally, examples were provided for each type of interaction. The examiners reported too many vague, factually incorrect descriptions of the mechanisms and in some cases a very limited classification.

Excellent answers were able to provide a classification of antipsychotics based on either typical/atypical or first/second generation categories, provide examples of each and identify key differences in mechanism and effects. They also distinguished between butyrophenones and phenothiazines within the typical antipsychotic group. Haloperidol was identified as a butyrophenone, with description of pharmaceutics, dose and route, as well as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Key adverse effects were detailed, focusing on those specific to haloperidol, including a description of different types of extrapyramidal symptoms and QT prolongation/ torsades de pointes.

Excellent answers described the function of the ECG device and its components. Components include electrodes, which form leads (unipolar and bipolar), the amplifier and an output device. The process of amplification and filtering (e.g., high and low pass filters), as well as monitoring and diagnostic ECG modes were described. A comprehensive list of ways to reduce artefacts, including strategies to address both patient and equipment factors was generally provided.

This is a fact-based question with little integration of knowledge required. Those candidates who synthesised their knowledge into a succinct and precise description of afferent and efferent pathways with a description of the various sensor and integrator components scored very high marks. A good working knowledge of all the cranial nerve reflex pathways are crucial to the practise of intensive care medicine. Marks were not awarded for any anatomical description related to these pathways.

The relative allocation of marks and thus time to be spent on each component was delineated by the relative percentages in the question. The first part of the question required a step-by-step outline of the fibrinolytic pathway with mention of the regulatory processes. Tranexamic acid is an important drug in the practice of intensive care and the question provided the headings under which to answer the question. The detail surrounding the keys aspects of this drug with respect to its use in critical care were often vague and underappreciated.

A brief description of the underlying mechanisms of dialysis and hemofiltration was required. Diffusion, the predominant mechanism in haemodialysis, involves movement of solute down the concentration gradient across the semipermeable membrane. This concentration gradient is generated and maintained by counter current movement of dialysate and blood. In hemofiltration the predominant mechanism is convection and solvent drag of the solute across the semipermeable membrane by application of transmembrane pressure. The filtrate is then replaced by replacement fluid. Small molecules are effectively removed by dialysis whereas hemofiltration can remove small and middle molecules. Various factors that impact clearance in haemodialysis and haemofiltration were expected separately. Constituents of replacement fluid should have included three broad headings of electrolytes, buffer and sterile water. Many answers lacked the details of how counter current mechanisms help, the difference in the two modalities in regard to clearance of molecules, how clearance is impacted by protein binding and volume distribution, sieving coefficient of the membrane and flow rates of blood and dialysate (or effluent) flow. The constituents of replacement fluid lacked details of various types of electrolytes, the common buffers and the strong ion difference.