Phys Vivas · general-medicine
Examination OF THE Unconscious Patient — Viva Defence
DCE viva defence for Examination OF THE Unconscious Patient.
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Target exams
Examination OF THE Unconscious Patient Viva
Long Case Viva Defence
Opening statement
"This patient presents with a problem best framed as Examination OF THE Unconscious Patient. My priorities are to identify red flags, confirm the mechanism with purposeful investigations, start a sequenced management plan, and integrate multimorbidity and follow-up." [1] [2]
Examiner questions
Q1: "What makes this urgent?" [1]
"I look for threats to airway, perfusion, neurology, metabolism, infection or bleeding, and I escalate those before elective work-up." [1] [2]
Q2: "What is your first investigation package?" [2]
"I order tests that change management now, not a scattergun panel." [1] [2]
Q3: "Walk me through treatment." [1]
"Stabilise, treat the mechanism, prevent complications, and plan monitoring." [1] [2] [3]
Q4: "What is the classic trap?" [2]
"Treating a label without confirming the discriminating mechanism, or delaying escalation." [1] [2]
Short case
Counsel the patient on the plan, risks and warning symptoms in plain language. [1] [2]
References
- [1]Nixon A, Mucksavage J, Morrison C, Panos NG, et al. Protocol-Based Management of Medication Confounders in Brain Death Determination: A Multi-Institutional Review J Am Coll Clin Pharm, 2026.PMID 42310841
- [2]Defaee S, Ouspid E, Barahimi E, Sheybani-Arani M, et al. Pseudo-SAH in a patient with methanol poisoning: a case report J Med Case Rep, 2026.PMID 42163382
- [3]Silva S, Treggiari M, Citerio G, Stevens RD, et al. Stepwise clinical and diagnostic strategy for coma of unknown origin Intensive Care Med, 2026.PMID 42059919
- [4]Barlinn K, Schoene D, Pleul K, Roessler M, et al. Etiology- and age-specific timing of death by neurologic criteria evaluation and declaration in clinical practice Crit Care, 2026.PMID 42106780
- [5]Knapen SE, Hinsenveld WH, Janssen MLF, Mess WH, et al. Utility of continuous EEG monitoring in postanoxic coma: a retrospective multicenter study Crit Care, 2025.PMID 41331652
- [6]Eatz T, Cabrera Y, Cabrera F, Kottapally M, et al. Is a Second Transcranial Doppler Study Needed to Confirm Neurocirculatory Arrest? Neurocrit Care, 2025.PMID 40133758
- [7]Doan HN, Chang MC Comparative Effectiveness of Unstable Versus Stable Resistance Training on Lower Limb Strength, Mobility, and Fear of Falling in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2026.PMID 42468010
- [8]Liu HW, Tsai TL Virtual Reality-assisted Physiotherapeutic Training for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2026.PMID 42468005