AIR METHODS Critical Care
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What is a pneumothorax? - ANSWER A condition where air accumulates
in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.
2. What is capnography testing? - ANSWER A method that connects an
apparatus to the endotracheal tube to monitor the patient's gas exchange
and oxygen adequacy.
3. What are the two types of pneumothorax? - ANSWER Closed
pneumothorax (internal cause) and open pneumothorax (external cause).
4. What are common clinical manifestations of pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Absence of lung sounds on the affected side, unequal chest movement,
tracheal deviation, dyspnea, tachycardia, and low O2 levels.
5. What is a hemothorax? - ANSWER A condition where blood
accumulates in the pleural space.
,6. What are the clinical manifestations of hemothorax? - ANSWER
Absence of lung sounds on the affected side, dyspnea, decreased oxygen
saturation, and unequal lung expansion.
7. What is a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER A life-threatening
condition where rapid accumulation of air in the pleural space increases
intrapleural pressure, compressing the lung and heart.
8. What can cause a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER It can result from
either an open or closed pneumothorax, often due to a one-way valve
effect in an open chest wound.
9. What is the nursing management for a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Immediate intervention is required to relieve pressure, often through
needle decompression or chest tube placement.
10.What happens to venous return during a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Decreased venous return occurs due to increased intrathoracic
pressure, leading to reduced cardiac output.
11.Give an example of an acute respiratory condition. - ANSWER A patient
presenting with wheezing, producing green sputum, and cyanosis.
12.What does 'chronic' mean in respiratory assessment? - ANSWER A
condition that persists for a long time or constantly recurs, with slower
progression.
,13.Provide an example of a chronic respiratory condition. - ANSWER
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or barrel chest.
14.What is meant by 'acute on chronic'? - ANSWER A patient with a chronic
disorder experiencing an acute flare-up, such as a COPD patient developing
pneumonia.
15.What is the first intervention in an acute respiratory situation? - ANSWER
Reposition the patient.
16.What are cardinal signs of hypoxia? - ANSWER Restlessness,
diaphoresis, cool skin, and tachycardia.
17.What does restlessness indicate in a respiratory assessment? - ANSWER
It may be a sign of lack of oxygen or impaired gas exchange.
18.What does altered mental status indicate in respiratory patients? - ANSWER
It can indicate impaired gas exchange or hypoxia.
19.What does 'crepitus' refer to? - ANSWER The presence of air under the
skin surface, often felt as a crackling sensation.
20.What is the normal range for chest wall excursion during breathing? -
ANSWER 3 inches from inspiration to expiration.
, 21.What should be observed regarding tracheal position? - ANSWER The
trachea should be midline; deviation may indicate a problem.
22.What is the significance of chest wall tenderness? - ANSWER It can be
associated with inflammation, surgery, or trauma to the chest.
23.What does rapid breathing indicate? - ANSWER It can indicate
respiratory distress, especially if labored.
24.What are priority assessments in respiratory evaluation? - ANSWER
Respiratory rate, chest expansion, chest pain, O2 saturation, retractions,
difficulty speaking, apprehension, and irritability.
25.What common respiratory equipment should be present in every patient's
room? - ANSWER An incentive spirometer.
26.What is the purpose of an incentive spirometer? - ANSWER To
encourage deep breathing and open up the lungs.
27.What is the normal range for heart rate in respiratory patients? - ANSWER
60 - 100 beats per minute.
28.What is the normal range for respiratory rate? - ANSWER 12 - 20
breaths per minute.
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What is a pneumothorax? - ANSWER A condition where air accumulates
in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.
2. What is capnography testing? - ANSWER A method that connects an
apparatus to the endotracheal tube to monitor the patient's gas exchange
and oxygen adequacy.
3. What are the two types of pneumothorax? - ANSWER Closed
pneumothorax (internal cause) and open pneumothorax (external cause).
4. What are common clinical manifestations of pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Absence of lung sounds on the affected side, unequal chest movement,
tracheal deviation, dyspnea, tachycardia, and low O2 levels.
5. What is a hemothorax? - ANSWER A condition where blood
accumulates in the pleural space.
,6. What are the clinical manifestations of hemothorax? - ANSWER
Absence of lung sounds on the affected side, dyspnea, decreased oxygen
saturation, and unequal lung expansion.
7. What is a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER A life-threatening
condition where rapid accumulation of air in the pleural space increases
intrapleural pressure, compressing the lung and heart.
8. What can cause a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER It can result from
either an open or closed pneumothorax, often due to a one-way valve
effect in an open chest wound.
9. What is the nursing management for a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Immediate intervention is required to relieve pressure, often through
needle decompression or chest tube placement.
10.What happens to venous return during a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER
Decreased venous return occurs due to increased intrathoracic
pressure, leading to reduced cardiac output.
11.Give an example of an acute respiratory condition. - ANSWER A patient
presenting with wheezing, producing green sputum, and cyanosis.
12.What does 'chronic' mean in respiratory assessment? - ANSWER A
condition that persists for a long time or constantly recurs, with slower
progression.
,13.Provide an example of a chronic respiratory condition. - ANSWER
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or barrel chest.
14.What is meant by 'acute on chronic'? - ANSWER A patient with a chronic
disorder experiencing an acute flare-up, such as a COPD patient developing
pneumonia.
15.What is the first intervention in an acute respiratory situation? - ANSWER
Reposition the patient.
16.What are cardinal signs of hypoxia? - ANSWER Restlessness,
diaphoresis, cool skin, and tachycardia.
17.What does restlessness indicate in a respiratory assessment? - ANSWER
It may be a sign of lack of oxygen or impaired gas exchange.
18.What does altered mental status indicate in respiratory patients? - ANSWER
It can indicate impaired gas exchange or hypoxia.
19.What does 'crepitus' refer to? - ANSWER The presence of air under the
skin surface, often felt as a crackling sensation.
20.What is the normal range for chest wall excursion during breathing? -
ANSWER 3 inches from inspiration to expiration.
, 21.What should be observed regarding tracheal position? - ANSWER The
trachea should be midline; deviation may indicate a problem.
22.What is the significance of chest wall tenderness? - ANSWER It can be
associated with inflammation, surgery, or trauma to the chest.
23.What does rapid breathing indicate? - ANSWER It can indicate
respiratory distress, especially if labored.
24.What are priority assessments in respiratory evaluation? - ANSWER
Respiratory rate, chest expansion, chest pain, O2 saturation, retractions,
difficulty speaking, apprehension, and irritability.
25.What common respiratory equipment should be present in every patient's
room? - ANSWER An incentive spirometer.
26.What is the purpose of an incentive spirometer? - ANSWER To
encourage deep breathing and open up the lungs.
27.What is the normal range for heart rate in respiratory patients? - ANSWER
60 - 100 beats per minute.
28.What is the normal range for respiratory rate? - ANSWER 12 - 20
breaths per minute.
