Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C) Practice Exam
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary focus of aviation medicine?
A) Studying the effects of microgravity
B) Addressing the physiological effects of flight on the human body
C) Designing aircraft components
D) Developing in-flight entertainment systems
Answer: B
Explanation: Aviation medicine is concerned with understanding how the flight environment
affects human physiology.
Question 2: What is the most common physiological effect experienced at high altitudes?
A) Hypercapnia
B) Hypoxia
C) Hyperthermia
D) Hypervolemia
Answer: B
Explanation: At high altitudes, the lower partial pressure of oxygen leads to hypoxia.
Question 3: In aviation medicine, what does cabin pressurization primarily prevent?
A) Engine malfunction
B) Hypoxia and gas expansion in body cavities
C) Turbulence effects on the structure
D) Radio communication failure
Answer: B
Explanation: Cabin pressurization maintains a safe oxygen level and prevents gas expansion that
can damage body tissues.
Question 4: Which factor is most critical in the development of hypoxia during flight?
A) Reduced humidity
B) Reduced ambient oxygen pressure
C) Increased cabin noise
D) Increased vibration
Answer: B
Explanation: The reduction in ambient oxygen pressure at high altitudes is the primary cause of
hypoxia.
Question 5: What is a common early symptom of hypoxia that flight paramedics must
recognize?
A) Increased appetite
B) Headache and dizziness
C) Skin rash
D) Elevated blood pressure
,Answer: B
Explanation: Early symptoms of hypoxia include headache, dizziness, and sometimes shortness
of breath.
Question 6: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is primarily used to treat which condition?
A) Decompression sickness
B) Cardiac arrhythmias
C) Hypothermia
D) Motion sickness
Answer: A
Explanation: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized treatment for decompression sickness
by increasing ambient pressure and oxygen delivery.
Question 7: Barotrauma is most often caused by what mechanism?
A) Excessive vibration
B) Rapid changes in pressure
C) Overhydration
D) Mechanical impact
Answer: B
Explanation: Rapid pressure changes during ascent or descent can lead to barotrauma, affecting
air-containing body structures.
Question 8: Which of the following is a preventive measure for barotrauma during flight?
A) Increasing cabin noise
B) Slow ascent and descent rates
C) Decreasing oxygen supply
D) Rapid decompression drills
Answer: B
Explanation: A controlled rate of ascent and descent minimizes rapid pressure changes, reducing
the risk of barotrauma.
Question 9: Ear barotrauma in flight is primarily associated with which structure?
A) Cochlea
B) Eustachian tube
C) Semicircular canals
D) Mastoid process
Answer: B
Explanation: The Eustachian tube helps equalize pressure; failure to do so can lead to ear
barotrauma.
Question 10: Sinus barotrauma results from pressure changes affecting which part of the
body?
A) Lung alveoli
B) Sinus cavities
C) Cardiac chambers
D) Abdominal organs
,Answer: B
Explanation: Pressure differences in the sinus cavities can cause sinus barotrauma.
Question 11: What environmental hazard can significantly impact a flight paramedic’s
performance?
A) Excessive cabin lighting
B) Extreme temperatures
C) Overabundance of oxygen
D) Smooth flight surfaces
Answer: B
Explanation: Extreme heat or cold can affect both the patient and the paramedic’s performance
during flight.
Question 12: In-flight, which of the following is essential for maintaining optimal
temperature regulation for a patient?
A) Exposure to ambient air
B) Use of warming or cooling devices
C) Uncontrolled airflow
D) High-intensity lighting
Answer: B
Explanation: Temperature regulation devices help maintain the patient's core temperature during
flight.
Question 13: How does weather primarily affect flight safety?
A) By altering communication protocols
B) By affecting aircraft performance and navigation
C) By increasing cabin pressure
D) By stabilizing flight paths
Answer: B
Explanation: Adverse weather can affect both the performance of the aircraft and the safety of
the flight.
Question 14: Which of the following protocols is critical for a safe emergency landing?
A) Ignoring cabin pressure changes
B) Following standard operating procedures
C) Disregarding safety briefings
D) Using non-standard evacuation methods
Answer: B
Explanation: Adherence to standard operating procedures is crucial for managing emergency
situations safely.
Question 15: What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) in flight
operations?
A) Enhancing in-flight comfort
B) Protecting personnel from potential hazards
C) Improving radio communication
, D) Reducing fuel consumption
Answer: B
Explanation: PPE is designed to protect flight crew and paramedics from environmental and
operational hazards.
Question 16: During a patient assessment, why is obtaining an accurate medical history
essential?
A) It speeds up the flight
B) It provides critical context for immediate treatment
C) It improves cabin aesthetics
D) It enhances communication with air traffic control
Answer: B
Explanation: An accurate medical history helps in identifying underlying conditions and guides
appropriate treatment.
Question 17: When performing a physical examination in-flight, what is a key
consideration?
A) Minimizing interaction with the patient
B) Ensuring systematic and thorough assessment despite movement
C) Focusing only on visible injuries
D) Skipping neurological checks
Answer: B
Explanation: A systematic approach is required to ensure no critical findings are missed, even in
a moving environment.
Question 18: In pediatric patients, what factor is most important when assessing their
condition in-flight?
A) Their ability to communicate verbally
B) Age-specific physiological differences
C) Their height compared to adults
D) The color of their clothing
Answer: B
Explanation: Pediatric patients have different physiological norms and responses, which must be
considered during assessment.
Question 19: Which vital sign is considered most sensitive to early deterioration in
critically ill patients?
A) Blood pressure
B) Temperature
C) Heart rate
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: D
Explanation: Respiratory rate often changes earlier than other vital signs in response to
physiological stress.
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary focus of aviation medicine?
A) Studying the effects of microgravity
B) Addressing the physiological effects of flight on the human body
C) Designing aircraft components
D) Developing in-flight entertainment systems
Answer: B
Explanation: Aviation medicine is concerned with understanding how the flight environment
affects human physiology.
Question 2: What is the most common physiological effect experienced at high altitudes?
A) Hypercapnia
B) Hypoxia
C) Hyperthermia
D) Hypervolemia
Answer: B
Explanation: At high altitudes, the lower partial pressure of oxygen leads to hypoxia.
Question 3: In aviation medicine, what does cabin pressurization primarily prevent?
A) Engine malfunction
B) Hypoxia and gas expansion in body cavities
C) Turbulence effects on the structure
D) Radio communication failure
Answer: B
Explanation: Cabin pressurization maintains a safe oxygen level and prevents gas expansion that
can damage body tissues.
Question 4: Which factor is most critical in the development of hypoxia during flight?
A) Reduced humidity
B) Reduced ambient oxygen pressure
C) Increased cabin noise
D) Increased vibration
Answer: B
Explanation: The reduction in ambient oxygen pressure at high altitudes is the primary cause of
hypoxia.
Question 5: What is a common early symptom of hypoxia that flight paramedics must
recognize?
A) Increased appetite
B) Headache and dizziness
C) Skin rash
D) Elevated blood pressure
,Answer: B
Explanation: Early symptoms of hypoxia include headache, dizziness, and sometimes shortness
of breath.
Question 6: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is primarily used to treat which condition?
A) Decompression sickness
B) Cardiac arrhythmias
C) Hypothermia
D) Motion sickness
Answer: A
Explanation: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized treatment for decompression sickness
by increasing ambient pressure and oxygen delivery.
Question 7: Barotrauma is most often caused by what mechanism?
A) Excessive vibration
B) Rapid changes in pressure
C) Overhydration
D) Mechanical impact
Answer: B
Explanation: Rapid pressure changes during ascent or descent can lead to barotrauma, affecting
air-containing body structures.
Question 8: Which of the following is a preventive measure for barotrauma during flight?
A) Increasing cabin noise
B) Slow ascent and descent rates
C) Decreasing oxygen supply
D) Rapid decompression drills
Answer: B
Explanation: A controlled rate of ascent and descent minimizes rapid pressure changes, reducing
the risk of barotrauma.
Question 9: Ear barotrauma in flight is primarily associated with which structure?
A) Cochlea
B) Eustachian tube
C) Semicircular canals
D) Mastoid process
Answer: B
Explanation: The Eustachian tube helps equalize pressure; failure to do so can lead to ear
barotrauma.
Question 10: Sinus barotrauma results from pressure changes affecting which part of the
body?
A) Lung alveoli
B) Sinus cavities
C) Cardiac chambers
D) Abdominal organs
,Answer: B
Explanation: Pressure differences in the sinus cavities can cause sinus barotrauma.
Question 11: What environmental hazard can significantly impact a flight paramedic’s
performance?
A) Excessive cabin lighting
B) Extreme temperatures
C) Overabundance of oxygen
D) Smooth flight surfaces
Answer: B
Explanation: Extreme heat or cold can affect both the patient and the paramedic’s performance
during flight.
Question 12: In-flight, which of the following is essential for maintaining optimal
temperature regulation for a patient?
A) Exposure to ambient air
B) Use of warming or cooling devices
C) Uncontrolled airflow
D) High-intensity lighting
Answer: B
Explanation: Temperature regulation devices help maintain the patient's core temperature during
flight.
Question 13: How does weather primarily affect flight safety?
A) By altering communication protocols
B) By affecting aircraft performance and navigation
C) By increasing cabin pressure
D) By stabilizing flight paths
Answer: B
Explanation: Adverse weather can affect both the performance of the aircraft and the safety of
the flight.
Question 14: Which of the following protocols is critical for a safe emergency landing?
A) Ignoring cabin pressure changes
B) Following standard operating procedures
C) Disregarding safety briefings
D) Using non-standard evacuation methods
Answer: B
Explanation: Adherence to standard operating procedures is crucial for managing emergency
situations safely.
Question 15: What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) in flight
operations?
A) Enhancing in-flight comfort
B) Protecting personnel from potential hazards
C) Improving radio communication
, D) Reducing fuel consumption
Answer: B
Explanation: PPE is designed to protect flight crew and paramedics from environmental and
operational hazards.
Question 16: During a patient assessment, why is obtaining an accurate medical history
essential?
A) It speeds up the flight
B) It provides critical context for immediate treatment
C) It improves cabin aesthetics
D) It enhances communication with air traffic control
Answer: B
Explanation: An accurate medical history helps in identifying underlying conditions and guides
appropriate treatment.
Question 17: When performing a physical examination in-flight, what is a key
consideration?
A) Minimizing interaction with the patient
B) Ensuring systematic and thorough assessment despite movement
C) Focusing only on visible injuries
D) Skipping neurological checks
Answer: B
Explanation: A systematic approach is required to ensure no critical findings are missed, even in
a moving environment.
Question 18: In pediatric patients, what factor is most important when assessing their
condition in-flight?
A) Their ability to communicate verbally
B) Age-specific physiological differences
C) Their height compared to adults
D) The color of their clothing
Answer: B
Explanation: Pediatric patients have different physiological norms and responses, which must be
considered during assessment.
Question 19: Which vital sign is considered most sensitive to early deterioration in
critically ill patients?
A) Blood pressure
B) Temperature
C) Heart rate
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: D
Explanation: Respiratory rate often changes earlier than other vital signs in response to
physiological stress.
