,CFRN Flight Nurse Exam 2026 | Comprehensive Test Bank |
Questions And Answers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. General Principles of Flight Transport Nursing Practice — Q1–Q40
2. Resuscitation Principles — Q41–Q93
3. Trauma — Q94–Q133
4. Medical Emergencies — Q134–Q180
5. Special Populations — Q181–Q200
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT TRANSPORT NURSING PRACTICE
Q1. During helicopter transport, which physiologic change becomes
particularly important as altitude increases?
A) Decreased ambient pressure
B) Increased atmospheric pressure
C) Increased oxygen concentration
D) Increased gravity
Correct Answer: A) Decreased ambient pressure
Rationale: Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, which can affect
gas expansion and oxygen availability during flight.
Q2. A flight nurse transports a mechanically ventilated patient to a
higher altitude. Which gas-law effect is important?
A) Gas volumes may expand as ambient pressure decreases
B) Gas volumes always decrease with altitude
C) Gas pressure always increases with altitude
D) Gas laws do not apply during flight
Correct Answer: A) Gas volumes may expand as ambient pressure decreases
Rationale: Decreasing ambient pressure allows trapped gases to expand,
which can affect cuffs, enclosed body spaces, and equipment.
Q3. A patient with a pneumothorax requires air transport. Why is
this condition particularly concerning during flight?
,A) Pleural air can expand as ambient pressure decreases
B) Pleural air is absorbed immediately at altitude
C) Atmospheric pressure increases during flight
D) Pneumothoraces cannot change during transport
Correct Answer: A) Pleural air can expand as ambient pressure decreases
Rationale: Reduced ambient pressure at altitude can increase the volume of
trapped gas and worsen a pneumothorax.
Q4. Which patient is most vulnerable to the effects of reduced
atmospheric pressure during air transport?
A) Patient with untreated pneumothorax
B) Patient with a healed skin abrasion
C) Patient with stable hypertension
D) Patient with uncomplicated conjunctivitis
Correct Answer: A) Patient with untreated pneumothorax
Rationale: Trapped pleural gas can expand during ascent and potentially
produce tension physiology.
Q5. A flight nurse notices a patient becoming increasingly
hypoxemic during ascent. Which factor should be considered?
A) Reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure
B) Increased inspired oxygen partial pressure
C) Increased atmospheric oxygen concentration
D) Decreased oxygen consumption by all tissues
Correct Answer: A) Reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure
Rationale: Reduced ambient pressure at altitude lowers the partial pressure
of inspired oxygen and can worsen hypoxemia in vulnerable patients.
Q6. Which patient factor may increase susceptibility to altitude-
related hypoxemia?
A) Severe underlying pulmonary disease
B) Normal lung function
C) Isolated extremity fracture
D) Healed skin laceration
Correct Answer: A) Severe underlying pulmonary disease
, Rationale: Patients with limited pulmonary reserve may have difficulty
maintaining adequate oxygenation as inspired oxygen partial pressure falls.
Q7. Which finding suggests that a mechanically ventilated patient's
endotracheal cuff may be affected by altitude?
A) Change in cuff pressure or volume during ascent
B) Improved lung compliance automatically
C) Decreased cuff volume caused by lower pressure
D) No possibility of change
Correct Answer: A) Change in cuff pressure or volume during ascent
Rationale: Changes in ambient pressure can alter the pressure and volume
of gas-filled cuffs.
Q8. Which intervention helps reduce altitude-related complications
in patients with trapped gas?
A) Identify and stabilize conditions involving trapped gas before flight
B) Ignore pneumothoraces until landing
C) Increase ambient pressure during ascent
D) Remove all oxygen equipment
Correct Answer: A) Identify and stabilize conditions involving trapped gas
before flight
Rationale: Conditions containing trapped gas can worsen with changes in
ambient pressure, making preflight identification and management
important.
Q9. Which patient should the flight team consider most concerning
for cabin-pressure-related deterioration?
A) Patient with an intracranial air collection
B) Patient with stable anemia
C) Patient with a superficial wound
D) Patient with chronic constipation
Correct Answer: A) Patient with an intracranial air collection
Rationale: Trapped intracranial gas can expand with decreasing ambient
pressure and increase neurologic risk.
Q10. Which principle best describes flight nursing?
Questions And Answers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. General Principles of Flight Transport Nursing Practice — Q1–Q40
2. Resuscitation Principles — Q41–Q93
3. Trauma — Q94–Q133
4. Medical Emergencies — Q134–Q180
5. Special Populations — Q181–Q200
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT TRANSPORT NURSING PRACTICE
Q1. During helicopter transport, which physiologic change becomes
particularly important as altitude increases?
A) Decreased ambient pressure
B) Increased atmospheric pressure
C) Increased oxygen concentration
D) Increased gravity
Correct Answer: A) Decreased ambient pressure
Rationale: Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, which can affect
gas expansion and oxygen availability during flight.
Q2. A flight nurse transports a mechanically ventilated patient to a
higher altitude. Which gas-law effect is important?
A) Gas volumes may expand as ambient pressure decreases
B) Gas volumes always decrease with altitude
C) Gas pressure always increases with altitude
D) Gas laws do not apply during flight
Correct Answer: A) Gas volumes may expand as ambient pressure decreases
Rationale: Decreasing ambient pressure allows trapped gases to expand,
which can affect cuffs, enclosed body spaces, and equipment.
Q3. A patient with a pneumothorax requires air transport. Why is
this condition particularly concerning during flight?
,A) Pleural air can expand as ambient pressure decreases
B) Pleural air is absorbed immediately at altitude
C) Atmospheric pressure increases during flight
D) Pneumothoraces cannot change during transport
Correct Answer: A) Pleural air can expand as ambient pressure decreases
Rationale: Reduced ambient pressure at altitude can increase the volume of
trapped gas and worsen a pneumothorax.
Q4. Which patient is most vulnerable to the effects of reduced
atmospheric pressure during air transport?
A) Patient with untreated pneumothorax
B) Patient with a healed skin abrasion
C) Patient with stable hypertension
D) Patient with uncomplicated conjunctivitis
Correct Answer: A) Patient with untreated pneumothorax
Rationale: Trapped pleural gas can expand during ascent and potentially
produce tension physiology.
Q5. A flight nurse notices a patient becoming increasingly
hypoxemic during ascent. Which factor should be considered?
A) Reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure
B) Increased inspired oxygen partial pressure
C) Increased atmospheric oxygen concentration
D) Decreased oxygen consumption by all tissues
Correct Answer: A) Reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure
Rationale: Reduced ambient pressure at altitude lowers the partial pressure
of inspired oxygen and can worsen hypoxemia in vulnerable patients.
Q6. Which patient factor may increase susceptibility to altitude-
related hypoxemia?
A) Severe underlying pulmonary disease
B) Normal lung function
C) Isolated extremity fracture
D) Healed skin laceration
Correct Answer: A) Severe underlying pulmonary disease
, Rationale: Patients with limited pulmonary reserve may have difficulty
maintaining adequate oxygenation as inspired oxygen partial pressure falls.
Q7. Which finding suggests that a mechanically ventilated patient's
endotracheal cuff may be affected by altitude?
A) Change in cuff pressure or volume during ascent
B) Improved lung compliance automatically
C) Decreased cuff volume caused by lower pressure
D) No possibility of change
Correct Answer: A) Change in cuff pressure or volume during ascent
Rationale: Changes in ambient pressure can alter the pressure and volume
of gas-filled cuffs.
Q8. Which intervention helps reduce altitude-related complications
in patients with trapped gas?
A) Identify and stabilize conditions involving trapped gas before flight
B) Ignore pneumothoraces until landing
C) Increase ambient pressure during ascent
D) Remove all oxygen equipment
Correct Answer: A) Identify and stabilize conditions involving trapped gas
before flight
Rationale: Conditions containing trapped gas can worsen with changes in
ambient pressure, making preflight identification and management
important.
Q9. Which patient should the flight team consider most concerning
for cabin-pressure-related deterioration?
A) Patient with an intracranial air collection
B) Patient with stable anemia
C) Patient with a superficial wound
D) Patient with chronic constipation
Correct Answer: A) Patient with an intracranial air collection
Rationale: Trapped intracranial gas can expand with decreasing ambient
pressure and increase neurologic risk.
Q10. Which principle best describes flight nursing?
