Air Methods Critical Care exam
Questions And Answers,2026\2027
update
What is the most reliable method of confirming and montioring correct placement of
an ET tube? correct answer Continuous waveform capnography
The upper airway consists of... correct answer Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity,
Pharynx, and Larynx
No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________. correct
answer Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of inspired
tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange units.
Crycothyroid membrane correct answer between thyroid and cricoid, avascular
structure that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of
CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emergency opening of the airway.
A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates: A.
Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis. correct answer C. Respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 normal range correct answer 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means
hyperventilation
Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance... What's happening? correct answer Tension pneumothorax
In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction? correct answer
AWAY from affected side.
Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure correct answer 10-20 mmHg
Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than... correct answer
(PAm) greater than 20
Primary pulmonary hypertension correct answer Idiopathic genetic disorder caused
by abnormal structure of the pulmonary blood vessels
Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension.. correct answer 1.
Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
,2. Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume in pulmonary
circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease) 3. Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
TNP of the Pregnant patient correct answer Resuscitation priorities are the same.
The best way to take care of the baby is to take care of mama
Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of maternal injury
is... correct answer Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd
is violence
fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why? correct answer
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss shunts blood
away from the fetus to the mom.
Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by.... correct answer Fetal tachycardia (140 to
160+) and fetal bradycardia
The FRC in a pregnant patient is.... correct answer Reduced by the gravid uterus
lifting the diaphragm.
chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher correct answer
Because of the lifted diaphragm
What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients? correct answer
Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
Preterm Labor (PTL) correct answer
abruptio placentae correct answer premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall
On a pregnant patient... correct answer Chest compressions must be higher on the
sternum.
Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus above the umbilicus
should have the uterus left laterally displaced during compressions to avoid
aortocaval compression. A 15 degree tilt of the long board or lateral displacement.
What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index? correct answer A valid reliable 5 level
triage tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric trauma patients.
Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by correct answer
approximately 30%!
Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended... correct answer for all pregnant
patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly button).
, Fundal height measurement correct answer equals the approximate gestational age
in weeks, until week 32. Belly button is 20 weeks Height of last rib is 26 weeks
costal margin is 36 weeks
Any fundal height indicating 23 or more weeks... correct answer at the last rib and
above is consistent with a viable fetus.
What type of blood should a pregnant trauma patient receive? correct answer O-
NEG baybay.
Initiate cardiotocography in any mother correct answer 20 or more weeks gestation,
must be monitored for at least 6 hours.
What is the serum lab test that detects fetal red cells in the maternal circulation?
correct answer Kleinhauer Bette KB serum test. This lab is used to determine if
hemorrhage of fetal blood through the placenta and into maternal circulation. KB test
is an important detector of abruptio placentae, preterm labor and need to administer
Rh negative globulin when mom is Rh negative and fetus is Rh positive.
Continue fetal monitoring for a minimum of ---- hours for any viable pregnancy and
up to _____ hours if there is abdominal trauma correct answer 6..... 24
Sonography has __________ for diagnosis placental abruption, correct answer
POOR.... they miss 50-80% of abruptions.
In addition to routine labs a correct answer Prothrombin (PT ) and PTT and serial
coags should be drawn. Beta Human Chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG)
Measure and record fundal height every correct answer 30 minutes.
Pediatric Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics correct answer Blunt trauma MVC
> suffocations > drownings > fires/burns. No. 1 cause of fatalities is TBI.
Primary Survey/ Resuscitation correct answer Survival rates in pediatric emergency
can be directly correlated with
1.RAPID AIRWAY MANAGEMENT,
2.INITIATION OF VENTILATORY SUPPORT, AND
3.EARLY RECOGNITION OF AND EARLY RESPONSE TO INTRA abdominal AND
intracranial hemorrhages
A STEMI is a __________ resulting from a _________. correct answer Complete
Occlusion of a coronary artery
caused by a ruptured Plaque leading to blood clot formation in the coronary.
Questions And Answers,2026\2027
update
What is the most reliable method of confirming and montioring correct placement of
an ET tube? correct answer Continuous waveform capnography
The upper airway consists of... correct answer Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity,
Pharynx, and Larynx
No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________. correct
answer Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of inspired
tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange units.
Crycothyroid membrane correct answer between thyroid and cricoid, avascular
structure that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of
CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emergency opening of the airway.
A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates: A.
Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis. correct answer C. Respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 normal range correct answer 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means
hyperventilation
Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance... What's happening? correct answer Tension pneumothorax
In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction? correct answer
AWAY from affected side.
Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure correct answer 10-20 mmHg
Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than... correct answer
(PAm) greater than 20
Primary pulmonary hypertension correct answer Idiopathic genetic disorder caused
by abnormal structure of the pulmonary blood vessels
Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension.. correct answer 1.
Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
,2. Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume in pulmonary
circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease) 3. Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
TNP of the Pregnant patient correct answer Resuscitation priorities are the same.
The best way to take care of the baby is to take care of mama
Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of maternal injury
is... correct answer Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd
is violence
fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why? correct answer
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss shunts blood
away from the fetus to the mom.
Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by.... correct answer Fetal tachycardia (140 to
160+) and fetal bradycardia
The FRC in a pregnant patient is.... correct answer Reduced by the gravid uterus
lifting the diaphragm.
chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher correct answer
Because of the lifted diaphragm
What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients? correct answer
Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
Preterm Labor (PTL) correct answer
abruptio placentae correct answer premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall
On a pregnant patient... correct answer Chest compressions must be higher on the
sternum.
Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus above the umbilicus
should have the uterus left laterally displaced during compressions to avoid
aortocaval compression. A 15 degree tilt of the long board or lateral displacement.
What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index? correct answer A valid reliable 5 level
triage tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric trauma patients.
Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by correct answer
approximately 30%!
Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended... correct answer for all pregnant
patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly button).
, Fundal height measurement correct answer equals the approximate gestational age
in weeks, until week 32. Belly button is 20 weeks Height of last rib is 26 weeks
costal margin is 36 weeks
Any fundal height indicating 23 or more weeks... correct answer at the last rib and
above is consistent with a viable fetus.
What type of blood should a pregnant trauma patient receive? correct answer O-
NEG baybay.
Initiate cardiotocography in any mother correct answer 20 or more weeks gestation,
must be monitored for at least 6 hours.
What is the serum lab test that detects fetal red cells in the maternal circulation?
correct answer Kleinhauer Bette KB serum test. This lab is used to determine if
hemorrhage of fetal blood through the placenta and into maternal circulation. KB test
is an important detector of abruptio placentae, preterm labor and need to administer
Rh negative globulin when mom is Rh negative and fetus is Rh positive.
Continue fetal monitoring for a minimum of ---- hours for any viable pregnancy and
up to _____ hours if there is abdominal trauma correct answer 6..... 24
Sonography has __________ for diagnosis placental abruption, correct answer
POOR.... they miss 50-80% of abruptions.
In addition to routine labs a correct answer Prothrombin (PT ) and PTT and serial
coags should be drawn. Beta Human Chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG)
Measure and record fundal height every correct answer 30 minutes.
Pediatric Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics correct answer Blunt trauma MVC
> suffocations > drownings > fires/burns. No. 1 cause of fatalities is TBI.
Primary Survey/ Resuscitation correct answer Survival rates in pediatric emergency
can be directly correlated with
1.RAPID AIRWAY MANAGEMENT,
2.INITIATION OF VENTILATORY SUPPORT, AND
3.EARLY RECOGNITION OF AND EARLY RESPONSE TO INTRA abdominal AND
intracranial hemorrhages
A STEMI is a __________ resulting from a _________. correct answer Complete
Occlusion of a coronary artery
caused by a ruptured Plaque leading to blood clot formation in the coronary.
