FPC CFRN REVIEW VERSION A
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER
COMPLETE ANSWERS ACCURATE
⫸ What is the role of the dispatch call center in critical care transport?
Answer: The call taker initiates the triage process, obtains pertinent
patient information from the referring facility, and completes a form; a
clinical supervisor or algorithm then helps determine crew configuration
and mode of transport.
⫸ What types of patients typically require a critical care transport team?
Answer: Patients requiring mechanical ventilation, vasoactive
medications, blood products, mechanical circulatory support devices, or
unstable conditions needing frequent interventions (sedation, paralytics,
analgesia).
⫸ What is the generally accepted time frame for a CCT team to receive
report, package the patient, and begin moving to the transport vehicle
after handoff? Answer: It should not exceed 20 minutes.
⫸ What healthcare professionals most commonly make up a critical
care transport team? Answer: Typically combinations of EMTs,
paramedics, RNs, and respiratory therapists; sometimes perfusionists,
surgeons, neonatologists, or pediatric intensivists.
,⫸ Name three common crew combinations for air medical transport.
Answer: (1) Nurse + Paramedic + Pilot, (2) Nurse + Respiratory
Therapist + Pilot, (3) Nurse + Physician + Pilot.
⫸ When should online medical control be consulted during CCT?
Answer: When deviating from protocols, when unforeseen complex
situations arise, when patient complexity exceeds normal expectations,
or when there is disagreement with sending/receiving providers
regarding care orders.
⫸ What distance are ground ambulances generally used for critically ill
patients? Answer: Typically up to 50 miles (~80 km) from patient
location to receiving facility.
⫸ What distance are rotor-wing aircraft typically used for? Answer:
Usually up to 150 miles (~240 km), especially in rural settings.
⫸ What distance are fixed-wing aircraft generally used for? Answer:
For distances greater than 150 miles (~240 km).
⫸ List two advantages of ground (mobile) units over aircraft. Answer:
Larger interior space, less expensive to operate, fewer weight/height
limitations, less weather dependent, and fewer adverse physiologic
effects.
, ⫸ List two disadvantages of rotor-wing aircraft (helicopters). Answer:
Restricted by weather, limited interior space, expensive to operate and
maintain, weight limitations, and adverse effects on crew and patients.
⫸ List two advantages of fixed-wing aircraft. Answer: Can travel great
distances, multiple-patient capability, specialized personnel/technology,
no weight restrictions, and can use instrument flying.
⫸ What key patient information must be obtained from the referring
facility before transport? Answer: Patient age, weight, diagnosis, number
and type of infusions, recent vital signs, LOC, airway status, presence of
mechanical ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support devices.
⫸ In a MEDEVAC company setup, how many aircraft and platoons are
typically present? Answer: 15 aircraft, 5 platoons (1 ASMP/HQ and 4
FSMPs).
⫸ When did the first documented case of air medical transport occur
and how? Answer: In 1870, during the Prussian Siege of Paris, using hot
air balloons to transport wounded soldiers and civilians.
⫸ What is the significance of 1944 in air medical transport history?
Answer: Wounded airmen were transported by helicopter in Burma on
23 April 1944, marking a new era of air medical transport.
⫸ What impact did helicopter use in the Korean War and Vietnam War
have on mortality? Answer: Helicopter evacuation significantly
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER
COMPLETE ANSWERS ACCURATE
⫸ What is the role of the dispatch call center in critical care transport?
Answer: The call taker initiates the triage process, obtains pertinent
patient information from the referring facility, and completes a form; a
clinical supervisor or algorithm then helps determine crew configuration
and mode of transport.
⫸ What types of patients typically require a critical care transport team?
Answer: Patients requiring mechanical ventilation, vasoactive
medications, blood products, mechanical circulatory support devices, or
unstable conditions needing frequent interventions (sedation, paralytics,
analgesia).
⫸ What is the generally accepted time frame for a CCT team to receive
report, package the patient, and begin moving to the transport vehicle
after handoff? Answer: It should not exceed 20 minutes.
⫸ What healthcare professionals most commonly make up a critical
care transport team? Answer: Typically combinations of EMTs,
paramedics, RNs, and respiratory therapists; sometimes perfusionists,
surgeons, neonatologists, or pediatric intensivists.
,⫸ Name three common crew combinations for air medical transport.
Answer: (1) Nurse + Paramedic + Pilot, (2) Nurse + Respiratory
Therapist + Pilot, (3) Nurse + Physician + Pilot.
⫸ When should online medical control be consulted during CCT?
Answer: When deviating from protocols, when unforeseen complex
situations arise, when patient complexity exceeds normal expectations,
or when there is disagreement with sending/receiving providers
regarding care orders.
⫸ What distance are ground ambulances generally used for critically ill
patients? Answer: Typically up to 50 miles (~80 km) from patient
location to receiving facility.
⫸ What distance are rotor-wing aircraft typically used for? Answer:
Usually up to 150 miles (~240 km), especially in rural settings.
⫸ What distance are fixed-wing aircraft generally used for? Answer:
For distances greater than 150 miles (~240 km).
⫸ List two advantages of ground (mobile) units over aircraft. Answer:
Larger interior space, less expensive to operate, fewer weight/height
limitations, less weather dependent, and fewer adverse physiologic
effects.
, ⫸ List two disadvantages of rotor-wing aircraft (helicopters). Answer:
Restricted by weather, limited interior space, expensive to operate and
maintain, weight limitations, and adverse effects on crew and patients.
⫸ List two advantages of fixed-wing aircraft. Answer: Can travel great
distances, multiple-patient capability, specialized personnel/technology,
no weight restrictions, and can use instrument flying.
⫸ What key patient information must be obtained from the referring
facility before transport? Answer: Patient age, weight, diagnosis, number
and type of infusions, recent vital signs, LOC, airway status, presence of
mechanical ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support devices.
⫸ In a MEDEVAC company setup, how many aircraft and platoons are
typically present? Answer: 15 aircraft, 5 platoons (1 ASMP/HQ and 4
FSMPs).
⫸ When did the first documented case of air medical transport occur
and how? Answer: In 1870, during the Prussian Siege of Paris, using hot
air balloons to transport wounded soldiers and civilians.
⫸ What is the significance of 1944 in air medical transport history?
Answer: Wounded airmen were transported by helicopter in Burma on
23 April 1944, marking a new era of air medical transport.
⫸ What impact did helicopter use in the Korean War and Vietnam War
have on mortality? Answer: Helicopter evacuation significantly
