questions and answers 2026
How do you calculate a mean arterial pressure (MAP)? - AnswerSBP + 2(DBP) /3
What test is performed before inserting a radial arterial line? - AnswerAllen's test
Allen's test (modified) - AnswerThe hand is elevated and the patient is asked to clench their fist for
about 30 seconds.
Ulnar and the radial arteries are occluded
Still elevated, the hand is then opened (it should appear blanched)
Ulnar pressure is released while radial pressure is maintained; color should return within 5 to 15
seconds.
How do you assess BP in patient with a ventricular assist device (VAD)? - AnswerVia arterial line
Ankle-brachial index (ABI) - AnswerA ratio derived by dividing the ankle blood pressure by the
brachial blood pressure; this calculation is used to assess the vascular status of the lower extremities.
To obtain the ABI, a blood pressure cuff is applied to the lower extremities just above the malleoli.
The systolic pressure is measured by Doppler ultrasound at both the dorsalis pedis and posterior
tibial pulses. The higher of these two pressures is then divided by the higher of the two brachial
pulses.
What is a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI)? - Answer1.0-1.4
What do you hear on percussion in air-leak syndrome? - Answerhyperresonance
What ECG change do you see in carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity? - Answersinus tachycardia, ST
depression
What is the difference between complete and incomplete cord syndromes? - AnswerComplete: no
function below level of the injury
Incomplete: some function below level of the injury
,Why do you use a barium enema in the treatment of intussusception? - AnswerThe barium can push
the intestine back into place in 90% of cases
In DKA, when is the insulin infusion discontinued? - AnswerWhen the patient is alert, oriented,
eating and drinking normally, SC insulin can be resumed
Leave the IV insulin running for 30-60 min after first SC injection
What ECG change may you see in acute adrenal insufficiency? - AnswerPeaked T waves, widened QRS
(due to hyperkalemia)
What is the purpose of permissive hypotension in pelvic fracture? - AnswerTo prevent disruption of
clot formation
What causes the dark urine in rhabdomyolysis? - AnswerMyoglobin (muscle breakdown product)
secreted by the kidney
Why is creatine kinase (CK) elevated in rhabdomyolysis? - AnswerCK is an enzyme found in skeletal
muscle; it is released as muscle tissue is damaged by rhabdo
What is a common complication seen in stage 2 of Lyme disease? - Answerneuro complications
(numbness, pain, weakness, Bell's palsy)
How do you treat a patient with circumferential torso burn when you are unable to ventilate with
BVM? - AnswerSit patient up if appropriate
escharotomy
Why is pulse oximetry high during hypoxemia from carbon monoxide exposure? - AnswerPulse
oximetry does not differentiate between O2 and CO attached to hemoglobin
Why does hydroxocobalamin in the Cyanokit turn urine red? - AnswerIt gives a harmless and
transient reddish colour to the skin and urine
Why is calcium required in hydrofluoric acid burn? - AnswerCalcium gluconate binds with the fluorine
ion, preventing further penetration/damage of bone and tissue
, Why is activated charcoal NOT effective in Iron ingestion? - AnswerActivated charcoal does not bind
to iron
Which nursing ethical principle is EMTALA is based on? - AnswerJustice? Can't find a definitve answer
to this anywhere!
Reporting suspected child maltreatment is practicing which ethical principle? -
AnswerNonmaleficence? Can't find a definitive answer to this anywhere!
How is JumpStart different from START disaster triage? - AnswerThe JumpSTART pediatric triage MCI
triage tool (usually shortened to JumpSTART) is a variation of the simple triage and rapid treatment
(START) triage system; JumpSTART was designed specifically for triaging children in disaster settings
Body packers - AnswerWhole bowel irrigation
Deferoxamine - AnswerVin rose urine
Stimulants - Answermydriasis
Opioids - Answermyosis
Cholinergic crisis - AnswerSLUDGE
Ethylene glycol - AnswerFomepizole
Digoxin - Answeryellow green vision
Beta blocker toxicity - Answerglucagon
acetaminiophen - AnswerN-acetylcysteine
salicylates - Answerurine alkalination