ECMO Specialist Exam (Latest 2025/2026 Update) Questions with Verified Answers | 100% Correct| Graded A.

ECMO Specialist Exam (Latest 2025/2026
Update) Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct| Graded A.

Question:

what is cardiac power output??
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Answer:

amount of energy available to maintain the perfusion of the vital organs
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in shock
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Question:

what does lactate in the blood mean and normal value??
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Answer:

anerobic metabolism is occurring
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normal is 0.9 to 1.7
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Question:
what are the two goals of mechanical circulatory support??
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Answer:

,restore adequate end organ perfusion
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ventricular unloading i,-




Question:

how does the impella CP work as an LV vent??
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Answer:

drains at LV and returns at the aortic arch
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provides 3-3.5 LPM of flow i,- i,- i,- i,-




Question:
what are the 5 factors affecting pharmacokinetics with critical illness??
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Answer:

1. augmented cardiac output
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2. leaky capillaries
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3. volume resusitation
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4. end-organ perfusion
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5. altered protein binding
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,Question:
what is pharmacodynamics??
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Answer:

the bodys biological response to the drug
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Question:
what are the factors 5 affecting pharmacokinetics with ECMO??
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Answer:

1. augmented cardiac output
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2. leaky capillaries
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3. end-organ perfusion
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4. hemodilution
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5. drug sequestration
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Question:
which drugs should you avoid with ecmo??
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Answer:

benzos!!! lipophillic and sequester in the tubing
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Question:

, why do we need anticoagulation on ecmo??
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Answer:

blood contacts the ecmo circuit causing a sirs response and leads to:
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inflammation/vasodilation i,-




coagulation i,-




altered fibrinolysis i,-




Question:

how does heparin work??
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Answer:
Activates antithrombin III -> inactivates thrombin, factor IXa, & factor Xa.
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Question:
what are the 3 definitions of ards and how are they defined??
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Answer:
1. Mild- pf ratio is 200-300 mmhg w/peep or CPAP > 5
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2. moderate - pf ratio is 100 - 200 mmhg w/ peep or CPAP > 5
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3. severe- pf ratio is <100 mmhg with peep > 5
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Question: