FP-C study guide| 128 Questions |
With Complete Solutions
Course
FP-C - Board Certified Flight Paramedic
Question 1
A patient with severe traumatic brain injury is intubated. During transport, the end-tidal CO₂
(EtCO₂) rises from 36 mmHg to 48 mmHg. What is the flight paramedic's priority action?
A. Decrease oxygen concentration
B. Increase minute ventilation while avoiding excessive hyperventilation
C. Administer sodium bicarbonate
D. Reduce PEEP to zero
Correct Answer: B. Increase minute ventilation while avoiding excessive hyperventilation
Solution:
Elevated EtCO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, increasing intracranial pressure. Ventilation should
be adjusted to maintain normocapnia (generally EtCO₂ around 35–40 mmHg unless directed
otherwise), while avoiding routine hyperventilation because excessive hypocapnia may reduce
cerebral perfusion.
Question 2
Which type of shock is characterized by high cardiac output and low systemic vascular
resistance during its early phase?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Correct Answer: C. Septic shock
Solution:
Early septic shock is distributive in nature. Vasodilation lowers systemic vascular resistance
while cardiac output may initially increase as the body compensates.
,Question 3
A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops hypotension, absent breath sounds on one
side, and increasing airway pressures. Which complication should be suspected first?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Bronchitis
Correct Answer: B. Tension pneumothorax
Solution:
Positive-pressure ventilation increases the risk of tension pneumothorax. Hallmark findings
include hypotension, unilateral absent breath sounds, and elevated airway pressures.
Question 4
Which medication is the preferred vasopressor for septic shock that persists despite adequate
fluid resuscitation?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Adenosine
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Solution:
Norepinephrine is widely recommended as the first-line vasopressor for septic shock because it
effectively increases vascular tone while maintaining perfusion.
Question 5
A ventilated patient develops an EtCO₂ that suddenly drops from 35 mmHg to 15 mmHg
without a ventilator change. Which condition is most concerning?
A. Improved ventilation
B. Pulmonary embolism or sudden decrease in pulmonary perfusion
,C. Fever
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism or sudden decrease in pulmonary perfusion
Solution:
A sudden decrease in EtCO₂ may indicate reduced pulmonary blood flow, as seen with
pulmonary embolism or cardiac arrest.
Question 6
Which acid-base disorder is expected in prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic acidosis
Solution:
Accumulation of ketone bodies produces a high anion-gap metabolic acidosis.
Question 7
A trauma patient has hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Septic shock
D. Pulmonary edema
Correct Answer: B. Cardiac tamponade
Solution:
Beck's triad—hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds—is
characteristic of cardiac tamponade.
, Question 8
Which ventilator adjustment primarily improves oxygenation?
A. Increase respiratory rate
B. Increase FiO₂ or PEEP
C. Decrease tidal volume
D. Lower inspiratory time
Correct Answer: B. Increase FiO₂ or PEEP
Solution:
Oxygenation is primarily improved by increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) and/or
positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
Question 9
Which ECG finding is most associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Delta waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST depression only
Correct Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Solution:
Hyperkalemia initially produces tall, peaked T waves and may progress to widened QRS
complexes and life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Question 10
A patient with severe asthma is becoming drowsy despite aggressive treatment. What does this
finding most likely indicate?
A. Clinical improvement
B. Impending respiratory failure
With Complete Solutions
Course
FP-C - Board Certified Flight Paramedic
Question 1
A patient with severe traumatic brain injury is intubated. During transport, the end-tidal CO₂
(EtCO₂) rises from 36 mmHg to 48 mmHg. What is the flight paramedic's priority action?
A. Decrease oxygen concentration
B. Increase minute ventilation while avoiding excessive hyperventilation
C. Administer sodium bicarbonate
D. Reduce PEEP to zero
Correct Answer: B. Increase minute ventilation while avoiding excessive hyperventilation
Solution:
Elevated EtCO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, increasing intracranial pressure. Ventilation should
be adjusted to maintain normocapnia (generally EtCO₂ around 35–40 mmHg unless directed
otherwise), while avoiding routine hyperventilation because excessive hypocapnia may reduce
cerebral perfusion.
Question 2
Which type of shock is characterized by high cardiac output and low systemic vascular
resistance during its early phase?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Correct Answer: C. Septic shock
Solution:
Early septic shock is distributive in nature. Vasodilation lowers systemic vascular resistance
while cardiac output may initially increase as the body compensates.
,Question 3
A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops hypotension, absent breath sounds on one
side, and increasing airway pressures. Which complication should be suspected first?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Bronchitis
Correct Answer: B. Tension pneumothorax
Solution:
Positive-pressure ventilation increases the risk of tension pneumothorax. Hallmark findings
include hypotension, unilateral absent breath sounds, and elevated airway pressures.
Question 4
Which medication is the preferred vasopressor for septic shock that persists despite adequate
fluid resuscitation?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Adenosine
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Solution:
Norepinephrine is widely recommended as the first-line vasopressor for septic shock because it
effectively increases vascular tone while maintaining perfusion.
Question 5
A ventilated patient develops an EtCO₂ that suddenly drops from 35 mmHg to 15 mmHg
without a ventilator change. Which condition is most concerning?
A. Improved ventilation
B. Pulmonary embolism or sudden decrease in pulmonary perfusion
,C. Fever
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism or sudden decrease in pulmonary perfusion
Solution:
A sudden decrease in EtCO₂ may indicate reduced pulmonary blood flow, as seen with
pulmonary embolism or cardiac arrest.
Question 6
Which acid-base disorder is expected in prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic acidosis
Solution:
Accumulation of ketone bodies produces a high anion-gap metabolic acidosis.
Question 7
A trauma patient has hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Septic shock
D. Pulmonary edema
Correct Answer: B. Cardiac tamponade
Solution:
Beck's triad—hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds—is
characteristic of cardiac tamponade.
, Question 8
Which ventilator adjustment primarily improves oxygenation?
A. Increase respiratory rate
B. Increase FiO₂ or PEEP
C. Decrease tidal volume
D. Lower inspiratory time
Correct Answer: B. Increase FiO₂ or PEEP
Solution:
Oxygenation is primarily improved by increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) and/or
positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
Question 9
Which ECG finding is most associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Delta waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST depression only
Correct Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Solution:
Hyperkalemia initially produces tall, peaked T waves and may progress to widened QRS
complexes and life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Question 10
A patient with severe asthma is becoming drowsy despite aggressive treatment. What does this
finding most likely indicate?
A. Clinical improvement
B. Impending respiratory failure
