FCCS EXAM 2024/25. ALL REVISION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (GRADED 100%) (2025 UPDATE)
What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - Answer -Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's tachycardic and
tachypneic. On
physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during inspiration), and HoTN
(80/40)
with distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to auscultation. What is the dx? - Answer -
Cardiac
tamponade; obstructive shock
If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their airway? - Answer -
Difficult
airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and unresponsive. How
would
you ventilate this pt? - Answer -BVM
A pt arrives after falling from a ladder and has a frontal laceration. On examination, you find
papilledema
and labored breathing w/o being able to clear secretions. What is your biggest concern when
intubating
this pt? - Answer -Cerebral edema/increasing ICP
Intubation tends to cause an increase in ICP. Administer lidocaine prior to intubation to inhibit
vagal
, stimulation.
An ESRD pt w/ hyperkalemia develops dyspnea and requires intubation. Which paralytic
agent/NMB
should you avoid and why? - Answer -Succinylcholine
Worsens hyperkalemia
A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his SpO2 is dropping. You
place him
on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2, yet his SpO2 remains at 80%. Why is it not being
corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is unavailable, what is your
next best
choice for an airway? - Answer -The pt is having apneic episodes, which means that
administering highflow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? - Answer -Targeted
temperature
management.
32-36 C
A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process is an example of a
shunt? -
Answer -Pneumonia
Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD? - Answer -Acute
hypercapnic
respiratory failure --> mixed
A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids, bronchodilators, etc. with no
ANSWERS (GRADED 100%) (2025 UPDATE)
What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - Answer -Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's tachycardic and
tachypneic. On
physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during inspiration), and HoTN
(80/40)
with distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to auscultation. What is the dx? - Answer -
Cardiac
tamponade; obstructive shock
If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their airway? - Answer -
Difficult
airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and unresponsive. How
would
you ventilate this pt? - Answer -BVM
A pt arrives after falling from a ladder and has a frontal laceration. On examination, you find
papilledema
and labored breathing w/o being able to clear secretions. What is your biggest concern when
intubating
this pt? - Answer -Cerebral edema/increasing ICP
Intubation tends to cause an increase in ICP. Administer lidocaine prior to intubation to inhibit
vagal
, stimulation.
An ESRD pt w/ hyperkalemia develops dyspnea and requires intubation. Which paralytic
agent/NMB
should you avoid and why? - Answer -Succinylcholine
Worsens hyperkalemia
A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his SpO2 is dropping. You
place him
on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2, yet his SpO2 remains at 80%. Why is it not being
corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is unavailable, what is your
next best
choice for an airway? - Answer -The pt is having apneic episodes, which means that
administering highflow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? - Answer -Targeted
temperature
management.
32-36 C
A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process is an example of a
shunt? -
Answer -Pneumonia
Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD? - Answer -Acute
hypercapnic
respiratory failure --> mixed
A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids, bronchodilators, etc. with no
