Research Design, Biostatistics, and Literature Evaluation
An epidemiologic study seeks to determine the
impact of adverse drug events in the intensive care
unit (ICU) on patient outcomes, which have an esti-
mated incidence of 52%. Which would be the best
approach to conducting this study?
tinuous variables to determine the difference in
outcomes.
for proportions to determine the difference in
outcomes.
analysis to determine the difference between
cohorts.
proportions to determine the difference in
outcomes.
A case-control study is conducted to deter-
mine whether proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is
associated with an increased risk of developing
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The final
analysis shows the odds ratio (OR) for CDI with PPI
exposure to be 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI],
0.8–1.5). Which best describes the results?
130%.
risk of CDI.
A systematic review evaluated the effect of albu-
min for fluid resuscitation. A meta-analysis that
evaluated the effect of albumin use compared
with normal saline on 28-day mortality reported a
combined OR of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.3–0.75) for the
treatment of hypovolemic shock caused by trauma.
For the treatment of septic shock, albumin com-
pared with normal saline resulted in a combined OR
of 1.1 (95% CI, 0.98–1.21) when evaluating 28-day
mortality. Which best represents the findings of the
review?
did not affect survival in the treatment of
septic shock.
did not affect survival in the treatment of
septic shock.
ment of hypovolemic shock caused by trauma
but improved survival in the treatment of
septic shock.
of hypovolemic shock caused by trauma or
septic shock.
A critical care pharmacist is faced with an acute
drug shortage in which no furosemide is available
for immediate use in patient care. During patient
care rounds in the ICU, the decision is made to
implement a fluid-conservative strategy for a patient
with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
The critical care pharmacist procures an allotment
of bumetanide. Which statement best describes the
course of action for this patient?
medical literature and experiential knowledge
to develop a titration scheme using bumetanide
to achieve a central venous pressure of less than
4 mm Hg.
research trial design and experiential knowl-
edge to develop a titration scheme using
bumetanide to achieve a central venous pres-
sure of less than 4 mm Hg.
vince the nephrologist to treat this patient with
hemodialysis to achieve a goal central venous
pressure of less than 4 mm Hg.
research ethics to obtain informed consent
from the patient’s surrogate for treatment with
bumetanide.