Cheat sheets, normal values, formulas — tap to expand
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 | |
| PaCO2 | 35 – 45 | mmHg |
| PaO2 | 80 – 100 | mmHg |
| HCO3 | 22 – 26 | mEq/L |
| SaO2 | 95 – 100 | % |
| Base Excess | -2 to +2 | mEq/L |
| A-a Gradient | 5 – 15 | mmHg |
| P/F Ratio | 400 – 500 | |
| Heart Rate | 60 – 100 | bpm |
| Respiratory Rate | 12 – 20 | breaths/min |
| Blood Pressure | 120/80 | mmHg |
| SpO2 | ≥ 95 | % |
| Device | Flow (LPM) | FiO2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal Cannula | 1 – 6 | 24 – 44% | ~4% per liter above 21% |
| Simple Mask | 5 – 10 | 40 – 60% | Min 5 LPM to flush CO2 |
| Venturi Mask | 4 – 12 | 24 – 50% | Most precise FiO2 |
| Partial Rebreather | 6 – 10 | 40 – 70% | Bag must stay inflated |
| Non-Rebreather | 10 – 15 | 60 – 80% | One-way valves, bag inflated |
| High-Flow NC (HFNC) | Up to 60 | 21 – 100% | Heated/humidified, some PEEP effect |
| Bag-Valve-Mask | 15 | ~100% | With reservoir, emergency use |
| Parameter | Adult Initial | ARDS |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | AC/VC | AC/VC |
| Tidal Volume | 6 – 8 mL/kg IBW | 4 – 6 mL/kg IBW |
| Rate | 12 – 16 | 16 – 24 |
| FiO2 | 100% then wean | Per ARDSNet table |
| PEEP | 5 cmH2O | 10 – 20 cmH2O |
| Plateau Pressure | < 30 cmH2O | < 30 cmH2O (critical) |
| I:E Ratio | 1:2 to 1:3 | 1:1 to 1:2 |
| Drug | Class | Dose | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuterol | SABA (beta-2 agonist) | 2.5mg/3mL SVN 2 puffs MDI | Rescue bronchodilator. Watch for tachy, hypokalemia, tremors |
| Ipratropium | Anticholinergic | 0.5mg/2.5mL SVN 2 puffs MDI | Slower onset (15-30 min). Dries secretions. Often combined w/ albuterol (DuoNeb) |
| Budesonide | Inhaled corticosteroid | 0.25-1mg SVN | Anti-inflammatory. Not a rescue med. Rinse mouth after to prevent thrush |
| Racemic Epinephrine | Alpha agonist | 0.5mL of 2.25% in 3mL NS | For croup/stridor. Reduces airway edema. Watch for rebound swelling |
| Acetylcysteine | Mucolytic | 3-5mL of 20% or 6-10mL of 10% | Breaks disulfide bonds in mucus. Smells like rotten eggs. Can cause bronchospasm — give with bronchodilator |
| Surfactant (Survanta) | Lung surfactant | 4 mL/kg via ETT | For neonatal RDS. Given in 4 quarter-doses in different positions. Natural surfactant. |
| Nitric Oxide (iNO) | Pulmonary vasodilator | 20-40 ppm | Selective pulmonary vasodilator. Monitor methemoglobin. Never stop abruptly (rebound pulm HTN) |
| Parameter | Critical Value | Action |
|---|---|---|
| pH | < 7.20 or > 7.60 | Notify physician STAT |
| PaCO2 | < 20 or > 70 | Adjust ventilation immediately |
| PaO2 | < 40 | Severe hypoxemia — increase O2, consider intubation |
| SpO2 | < 88% | Increase FiO2, assess airway |
| K+ | < 2.5 or > 6.5 | Cardiac risk — 12-lead ECG, notify MD |
| Plateau Pressure | > 30 cmH2O | Reduce Vt, risk of barotrauma |
| Cuff Pressure | > 25 cmH2O | Risk of tracheal necrosis — deflate to 20-25 |