MEDICAL GAS SYSTEMS PRACTICE TEST 2026
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ What three main features make the vapotherm in Fisher and Paykel
optiflow high flow systems useful in treating moderate hypoxemia?
Answer: the salter is not heated or humidified and goes to 15 liter
intermediate. The Vapotherm can go up to 40 liters. It costs more.
◉ Describe the two compensatory mechanisms of the cardiopulmonary
system when faced with What are the threshold criteria for defining
hypoxemia in adults according to AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines?
Answer: 1. PaO2 - < 60 mmHg
2. SaO2 - <90%
◉ Describe the two compensatory mechanisms of the cardiopulmonary
system when faced with hypoxemia.. Answer: A. Lungs - increased
ventilation which increases rate and depth
B. Heart - increased CO: increased heart rate and increased stroke
volume
,◉ In what acute cardiac condition is oxygen therapy especially
important? Answer: Myocardial infarction, when the heart is stressed or
damaged it is important to reduce workload
◉ What effect does hypoxemia have on the pulmonary blood vessels?
What are the long-term consequences of this effect? Answer: It causes
vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels. If prolonged it can cause
pulmonary hypertension, increase work on the right side of the heart,
and eventually cor pulmonale or right heart failure
◉ List three basic ways to determine when a patient needs oxygen.
Answer: A. Laboratory evidence
B. The patient's condition/problem
C. Bedside assessment
◉ List six common acute clinical situations where hypoxemia is so
common that oxygen therapy is usually provided. Answer: A. Carbon
monoxide poisoning
B. Cyanide poisoning
C. Shock
D. Trauma
E. Acute Myocardial Infarction
F. Postoperative patient
, ◉ List two signs of mild and severe hypoxia for each of the following
systems:
Respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic. Answer: Respiratory: mild
(tachypnea & dyspnea); severe (tachypnea & dyspnea)
Cardiovascular: mild (tachycardia & mild hypertension); severe
(tachycardia then bradycardia & hypertension then hypotension)
Neurologic: mild (restlessness & disorientation); severe (somnolence &
confusion)
◉ Oxygen toxicity can affect what two organ systems? Answer: Lungs
and central nervous system
◉ The harm caused by oxygen is influenced by what two factors?
Answer: PO2 and exposure time
◉ Describe the effects on the lung tissue of breathing excessive oxygen.
Answer: Tracheobronchitis and substernal chest pains develop during
the first 12 hours. Next, vital capacity and lung compliance begin to
decrease. A state similar to bronchopneumonia develops. The capillaries
and alveoli are damaged, resulting in interstitial edema. Type 1 cells are
destroyed. In the end stages, hyline membranes form, then pulmonary
fibrosis and hypertension develop
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ What three main features make the vapotherm in Fisher and Paykel
optiflow high flow systems useful in treating moderate hypoxemia?
Answer: the salter is not heated or humidified and goes to 15 liter
intermediate. The Vapotherm can go up to 40 liters. It costs more.
◉ Describe the two compensatory mechanisms of the cardiopulmonary
system when faced with What are the threshold criteria for defining
hypoxemia in adults according to AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines?
Answer: 1. PaO2 - < 60 mmHg
2. SaO2 - <90%
◉ Describe the two compensatory mechanisms of the cardiopulmonary
system when faced with hypoxemia.. Answer: A. Lungs - increased
ventilation which increases rate and depth
B. Heart - increased CO: increased heart rate and increased stroke
volume
,◉ In what acute cardiac condition is oxygen therapy especially
important? Answer: Myocardial infarction, when the heart is stressed or
damaged it is important to reduce workload
◉ What effect does hypoxemia have on the pulmonary blood vessels?
What are the long-term consequences of this effect? Answer: It causes
vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels. If prolonged it can cause
pulmonary hypertension, increase work on the right side of the heart,
and eventually cor pulmonale or right heart failure
◉ List three basic ways to determine when a patient needs oxygen.
Answer: A. Laboratory evidence
B. The patient's condition/problem
C. Bedside assessment
◉ List six common acute clinical situations where hypoxemia is so
common that oxygen therapy is usually provided. Answer: A. Carbon
monoxide poisoning
B. Cyanide poisoning
C. Shock
D. Trauma
E. Acute Myocardial Infarction
F. Postoperative patient
, ◉ List two signs of mild and severe hypoxia for each of the following
systems:
Respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic. Answer: Respiratory: mild
(tachypnea & dyspnea); severe (tachypnea & dyspnea)
Cardiovascular: mild (tachycardia & mild hypertension); severe
(tachycardia then bradycardia & hypertension then hypotension)
Neurologic: mild (restlessness & disorientation); severe (somnolence &
confusion)
◉ Oxygen toxicity can affect what two organ systems? Answer: Lungs
and central nervous system
◉ The harm caused by oxygen is influenced by what two factors?
Answer: PO2 and exposure time
◉ Describe the effects on the lung tissue of breathing excessive oxygen.
Answer: Tracheobronchitis and substernal chest pains develop during
the first 12 hours. Next, vital capacity and lung compliance begin to
decrease. A state similar to bronchopneumonia develops. The capillaries
and alveoli are damaged, resulting in interstitial edema. Type 1 cells are
destroyed. In the end stages, hyline membranes form, then pulmonary
fibrosis and hypertension develop
