PFCCS Questions & Answers 2026 | Latest Study
Guide
1. Discuss why vasodilators are not recommended for use in hypotensive
patients.
Vasodilators can further lower blood pressure, exacerbating
hypotension.
Vasodilators are used to treat hypertension, not hypotension.
Vasodilators are essential for increasing blood flow in hypotensive
patients.
Vasodilators have no effect on blood pressure.
2. Describe the potential risks involved in potassium replacement therapy and
how they can impact patient care.
The risks are minimal and do not affect patient care.
The risks include dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
The risks include hyperkalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac
complications.
The risks are only related to the administration route.
3. PCO2 normal range (partial pressure of carbon dioxide)
40-65
35-45
22-26
60-80
,4. Which of the following represent categories utilized to triage patients during
a mass casualty incident (MCI)?
Green, blue, red, black
Red, black, pink, yellow
Green, orange, black, purple
Green, yellow, red, black
5. In a patient receiving potassium replacement, if the serum potassium level
rises significantly, what immediate action should be taken to prevent
complications?
Increase the potassium infusion rate to compensate.
Stop all medications immediately.
Monitor cardiac function closely and consider adjusting the
potassium infusion rate.
Administer calcium gluconate to counteract effects of hyperkalemia.
6. What is the normal range for total calcium in the human body?
7.0 to 8.0 mg/dL
10.0 to 12.0 mg/dL
8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
9.0 to 11.0 mg/dL
7. When CSF cannot circulate or drain properly due to obstruction the
condition that develops is:
Obstruction of Willis
Dessication of pyramids
, Hydrocephalus
Ventricular hyperplasia
8. Describe how norepinephrine influences heart rate in a clinical setting.
Norepinephrine has no effect on heart rate.
Norepinephrine typically increases heart rate as part of its action to
enhance cardiac output.
Norepinephrine stabilizes heart rate during emergencies.
Norepinephrine decreases heart rate to reduce cardiac workload.
9. In a patient with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), how would you expect
the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) to be affected, and what implications
does this have for patient management?
The CPP would fluctuate, making it difficult to assess the patient's
condition.
The CPP would remain unchanged, indicating stable brain perfusion
despite elevated ICP.
The CPP would decrease, indicating reduced blood flow to the
brain, which necessitates urgent intervention to lower ICP.
The CPP would increase, suggesting improved blood flow to the
brain, allowing for less aggressive treatment.
10. What is the primary physiologic abnormality associated with shock?
Hypertension
Hypoxia
Hypervolemia
, Hypoperfusion
11. What is a normal range for Bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels?
3.5-5.1 mmol/L
98-107 mmol/L
23-29 mmol/L
136-145 mmol/L
12. What is the primary goal when adjusting ventilator settings for hypoxemic
respiratory failure?
Reduce tidal volume
Decrease carbon dioxide levels
Increase oxygenation
Minimize airway resistance
13. Determinants of cardiac output (CO) are:
Heart rate X Systolic blood pressure
Heart rate X stroke volume
Stoke volume X weight in KG
MAP X systolic blood pressure
14. What is a common source of nosocomial infections in healthcare settings?
Patient mobility
Antibiotics
Invasive devices
Guide
1. Discuss why vasodilators are not recommended for use in hypotensive
patients.
Vasodilators can further lower blood pressure, exacerbating
hypotension.
Vasodilators are used to treat hypertension, not hypotension.
Vasodilators are essential for increasing blood flow in hypotensive
patients.
Vasodilators have no effect on blood pressure.
2. Describe the potential risks involved in potassium replacement therapy and
how they can impact patient care.
The risks are minimal and do not affect patient care.
The risks include dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
The risks include hyperkalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac
complications.
The risks are only related to the administration route.
3. PCO2 normal range (partial pressure of carbon dioxide)
40-65
35-45
22-26
60-80
,4. Which of the following represent categories utilized to triage patients during
a mass casualty incident (MCI)?
Green, blue, red, black
Red, black, pink, yellow
Green, orange, black, purple
Green, yellow, red, black
5. In a patient receiving potassium replacement, if the serum potassium level
rises significantly, what immediate action should be taken to prevent
complications?
Increase the potassium infusion rate to compensate.
Stop all medications immediately.
Monitor cardiac function closely and consider adjusting the
potassium infusion rate.
Administer calcium gluconate to counteract effects of hyperkalemia.
6. What is the normal range for total calcium in the human body?
7.0 to 8.0 mg/dL
10.0 to 12.0 mg/dL
8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
9.0 to 11.0 mg/dL
7. When CSF cannot circulate or drain properly due to obstruction the
condition that develops is:
Obstruction of Willis
Dessication of pyramids
, Hydrocephalus
Ventricular hyperplasia
8. Describe how norepinephrine influences heart rate in a clinical setting.
Norepinephrine has no effect on heart rate.
Norepinephrine typically increases heart rate as part of its action to
enhance cardiac output.
Norepinephrine stabilizes heart rate during emergencies.
Norepinephrine decreases heart rate to reduce cardiac workload.
9. In a patient with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), how would you expect
the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) to be affected, and what implications
does this have for patient management?
The CPP would fluctuate, making it difficult to assess the patient's
condition.
The CPP would remain unchanged, indicating stable brain perfusion
despite elevated ICP.
The CPP would decrease, indicating reduced blood flow to the
brain, which necessitates urgent intervention to lower ICP.
The CPP would increase, suggesting improved blood flow to the
brain, allowing for less aggressive treatment.
10. What is the primary physiologic abnormality associated with shock?
Hypertension
Hypoxia
Hypervolemia
, Hypoperfusion
11. What is a normal range for Bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels?
3.5-5.1 mmol/L
98-107 mmol/L
23-29 mmol/L
136-145 mmol/L
12. What is the primary goal when adjusting ventilator settings for hypoxemic
respiratory failure?
Reduce tidal volume
Decrease carbon dioxide levels
Increase oxygenation
Minimize airway resistance
13. Determinants of cardiac output (CO) are:
Heart rate X Systolic blood pressure
Heart rate X stroke volume
Stoke volume X weight in KG
MAP X systolic blood pressure
14. What is a common source of nosocomial infections in healthcare settings?
Patient mobility
Antibiotics
Invasive devices
