In a recent prospective observational study comprising 125 patients, which of the following is the MOST likely finding regarding the use of an ultrasonography protocol in a general intensive care unit (ICU)?
The limitations of physical examination and other diagnostic modalities in ICU patients are well described. Bedside ultrasonography is safe, rapid, portable and repeatable. The authors of a recent study investigated the “ICU-sound” protocol, a critical care ultrasound protocol, to see if alterations in diagnosis and therapy in general ICU patients occurred. The physicians who undertook this study were experienced in ultrasonography. They had completed a continuing education course that included 150 scans of body sections and also had received one year of tutored instruction. The complete ultrasound protocol includes scans of the 1) optic nerve (for depressed consciousness); 2) chest; 3) heart; 4) abdomen; and 5) venous system (for thrombi), performed within 12 hours of ICU admission. An...
