AIR METHODS CRITICAL CARE UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
●● Which ventilator mode is best for a patient with acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
Answer: Pressure Control Ventilation (PCV)
●● What is the normal range for arterial blood pH?
Answer: 7.35-7.45
●● Which medication is a first-line vasopressor for septic shock?
Answer: Norepinephrine
●● What is the primary indication for performing a rapid sequence
intubation (RSI)?
Answer: Uncontrolled airway with risk of aspiration
●● Which injury is most commonly associated with a mechanism of
high-speed motor vehicle collision?
Answer: Traumatic brain injury
,●● What is the initial treatment for a patient in ventricular fibrillation
(VF)?
Answer: Defibrillation
●● Which sign is most indicative of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
Answer: All of the above (Bradycardia, Hypertension, Abnormal pupil
response)
●● What is the recommended tidal volume for a pediatric patient on a
ventilator?
Answer: 6-8 mL/kg
●● Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH < 7.35, PaCO2
> 45 mmHg, and HCO3- normal?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis
●● What is the primary concern when transporting a neonate with
hypothermia?
Answer: Increased oxygen demand
●● Which drug is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil
,●● What is the target systolic blood pressure for a patient with a
traumatic brain injury?
Answer: > 120 mmHg
●● Which waveform is most indicative of adequate chest compression
depth during CPR?
Answer: Pulsatile arterial waveform
●● What is the initial step in managing a tension pneumothorax?
Answer: Perform needle decompression
●● Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause prolonged QT
interval?
Answer: Hypokalemia
●● What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in hypovolemic
shock?
Answer: To restore intravascular volume
●● Which condition is a contraindication for nitroprusside use?
Answer: Aortic dissection
, ●● What is the recommended dose of epinephrine for anaphylactic
shock?
Answer: 0.3-0.5 mg IM
●● Which finding is most suggestive of a pulmonary embolism?
Answer: Hypotension with hypoxia
●● What is the target PaO2 for a neonate during transport?
Answer: 50-70 mmHg
●● Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with status
epilepticus?
Answer: Lorazepam administration
●● What is the normal central venous pressure (CVP) range?
Answer: 0-5 mmHg
●● Which sign is most indicative of hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Tachycardia and hypotension
●● What is the primary concern during high-altitude transport?
Answer: Hypoxia
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
●● Which ventilator mode is best for a patient with acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
Answer: Pressure Control Ventilation (PCV)
●● What is the normal range for arterial blood pH?
Answer: 7.35-7.45
●● Which medication is a first-line vasopressor for septic shock?
Answer: Norepinephrine
●● What is the primary indication for performing a rapid sequence
intubation (RSI)?
Answer: Uncontrolled airway with risk of aspiration
●● Which injury is most commonly associated with a mechanism of
high-speed motor vehicle collision?
Answer: Traumatic brain injury
,●● What is the initial treatment for a patient in ventricular fibrillation
(VF)?
Answer: Defibrillation
●● Which sign is most indicative of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
Answer: All of the above (Bradycardia, Hypertension, Abnormal pupil
response)
●● What is the recommended tidal volume for a pediatric patient on a
ventilator?
Answer: 6-8 mL/kg
●● Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH < 7.35, PaCO2
> 45 mmHg, and HCO3- normal?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis
●● What is the primary concern when transporting a neonate with
hypothermia?
Answer: Increased oxygen demand
●● Which drug is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil
,●● What is the target systolic blood pressure for a patient with a
traumatic brain injury?
Answer: > 120 mmHg
●● Which waveform is most indicative of adequate chest compression
depth during CPR?
Answer: Pulsatile arterial waveform
●● What is the initial step in managing a tension pneumothorax?
Answer: Perform needle decompression
●● Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause prolonged QT
interval?
Answer: Hypokalemia
●● What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in hypovolemic
shock?
Answer: To restore intravascular volume
●● Which condition is a contraindication for nitroprusside use?
Answer: Aortic dissection
, ●● What is the recommended dose of epinephrine for anaphylactic
shock?
Answer: 0.3-0.5 mg IM
●● Which finding is most suggestive of a pulmonary embolism?
Answer: Hypotension with hypoxia
●● What is the target PaO2 for a neonate during transport?
Answer: 50-70 mmHg
●● Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with status
epilepticus?
Answer: Lorazepam administration
●● What is the normal central venous pressure (CVP) range?
Answer: 0-5 mmHg
●● Which sign is most indicative of hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Tachycardia and hypotension
●● What is the primary concern during high-altitude transport?
Answer: Hypoxia
