Knowledge questions included in the survey
| Question | Answer choices | Resources cited |
| 1. What is your target mean arterial blood pressure in a patient with septic shock requiring vasopressors? | □ 55 mm Hg □ 60 mm Hg □ 65 mm Hg □ 70 mm Hg | A mean arterial pressure of at least 65 mm Hg is required to maintain perfusion to vital organ systems.28 |
| 2. What would you use as your first-choice vasopressor for a patient in septic shock? | □ Dopamine □ Dobutamine □ Vasopressin □ Norepinephrine □ Epinephrine | Dopamine and vasopressin may also be indicated, but as options after norepinephrine has not improved a patient’s condition.21 |
| 3. Based on which hemoglobin concentration should you begin red blood cell transfusion? | □ <7.0 g/dL □ >7–9 g/dL □ 10–12 g/dL □ 12–14 g/dL | Transfusing at 7 g/dL hemoglobin or 9 g/dL have similar 60-day or 90-day mortality, recorded ischemic events, and use of life support.21 With no difference in these groups, introducing fewer infusions improves patient safety by decreasing the risks associated. |
| 4. For uncomplicated appendicitis, how long should you continue antibiotics after an appendectomy? | □ 0–24 hours □ 4 days □ 7 days □ There is not enough evidence to decide. | The duration of antibiotic use between one, three, and five doses did not change postoperative infections or hospital length of stay.29 Prescribing the lowest dose that provides the same impact for patients prevents wasted resources and risks associated with antibiotic treatments. |
| 5. Should you provide a postoperative drain in appendicitis patients? | □ Yes, it lowers the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess. □ No, it causes more complications and increases length of stay and recovery time. □ There is not enough evidence to decide. | Postoperative drain for patients after appendectomy lengthens hospital stay and increases the cost of the operation.30 |
The correct answers to the questions are in bold.