Coma
Specific criteria are laid out in guidance from the AOMRC
- Metabolic or endocrine disturbance
- Circulatory disturbance
- Sedative/depressant drugs
- Hypothermia
Apnoea
Rare but should be actively sought if the history or clinical examination suggests their presence
- Severe neuromuscular weakness of any cause
- Spinal cord injury following trauma – should be excluded through x-ray, CT or MRI imaging
- Residual neuromuscular blockade - it is sensible to routinely use a nerve stimulator to confirm the absence of drug-related block