Air Methods Critical Care Review | Pediatrics
2025–2026 | Comprehensive Pediatric Critical
Care Transport Study Guide with Practice
Questions & Verified Answers
THIS EXAM CONTAINS:
✔ Comprehensive pediatric critical care transport review
✔ Pediatric assessment and stabilization principles
✔ Pediatric airway and respiratory emergency management
✔ Shock, sepsis, and hemodynamic support concepts
✔ Pediatric cardiac emergency review
✔ Practice questions with verified answers With explanation
✔ Exam-focused review content
✔ Flight nursing and critical care transport preparation
✔ Instant digital download
,Pediatrics Critical Care Testbank
1. You arrive at a small critical access hospital to transport a 10-year-old,
68-pound male who fell from a cliff, striking his head, neck, and upper
body. During the report, the flight nurse reviews the lab results and notes
the following values: Na 112 mEq/L, serum osmolarity 580 mOsm/kg, and
urine output of 700 mL in the past hour. The critical care clinician should
expect to administer which of the following medications?
• A. Mannitol
• B. Dopamine
• C. Lactated Ringer's
• D. Vasopressin
Correct Answer: D - Vasopressin
Explanation: The patient's diabetes insipidus is likely caused by severe
head trauma. Administration of an osmotic diuretic (mannitol) would
worsen the condition. Dopamine is not indicated. Lactated Ringer's may
assist in replacing fluid loss but will not replace sodium loss or correct
diabetes insipidus. Vasopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone
(ADH), and replacement of ADH allows the kidneys to concentrate urine
and decrease electrolyte loss.
2. You are called to transport a 16-year-old involved in an SUV rollover
accident after drinking with her friends. Her injuries include a fractured
pelvis, a large laceration to her left lower leg with controlled bleeding, a
head injury, a tension pneumothorax, and a left femur fracture. Which injury
is immediately life-threatening and requires immediate intervention?
, • A. Fractured pelvis
• B. Large laceration to the left lower leg
• C. Head injury
• D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D - Tension pneumothorax
Explanation: While a pelvic fracture is a critical injury that may result in
severe blood loss, and a large laceration may result in bleeding and
decompensation, the bleeding from the laceration is currently controlled. A
tension pneumothorax will rapidly result in death and requires immediate
intervention.
3. An unrestrained four-year-old was in the front passenger seat of a
vehicle that struck another vehicle traveling approximately 30 mph. The
child was found on the front seat floorboard and is suspected to have
struck the dashboard. Upon arrival at the bedside, the flight clinician
reviewed the chest x-ray identifying an abnormality in the right mainstem
bronchus. Based on the chest x-ray findings, which injury is suspected?
• A. Tension pneumothorax
• B. Flail chest
• C. Pneumothorax
• D. Tracheal rupture
Correct Answer: D - Tracheal rupture
Explanation: While rare, tracheal rupture is life-threatening and most often
results from blunt force trauma, usually from motor vehicle crashes. The
elasticity of the pediatric thoracic cage protects young children from
2025–2026 | Comprehensive Pediatric Critical
Care Transport Study Guide with Practice
Questions & Verified Answers
THIS EXAM CONTAINS:
✔ Comprehensive pediatric critical care transport review
✔ Pediatric assessment and stabilization principles
✔ Pediatric airway and respiratory emergency management
✔ Shock, sepsis, and hemodynamic support concepts
✔ Pediatric cardiac emergency review
✔ Practice questions with verified answers With explanation
✔ Exam-focused review content
✔ Flight nursing and critical care transport preparation
✔ Instant digital download
,Pediatrics Critical Care Testbank
1. You arrive at a small critical access hospital to transport a 10-year-old,
68-pound male who fell from a cliff, striking his head, neck, and upper
body. During the report, the flight nurse reviews the lab results and notes
the following values: Na 112 mEq/L, serum osmolarity 580 mOsm/kg, and
urine output of 700 mL in the past hour. The critical care clinician should
expect to administer which of the following medications?
• A. Mannitol
• B. Dopamine
• C. Lactated Ringer's
• D. Vasopressin
Correct Answer: D - Vasopressin
Explanation: The patient's diabetes insipidus is likely caused by severe
head trauma. Administration of an osmotic diuretic (mannitol) would
worsen the condition. Dopamine is not indicated. Lactated Ringer's may
assist in replacing fluid loss but will not replace sodium loss or correct
diabetes insipidus. Vasopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone
(ADH), and replacement of ADH allows the kidneys to concentrate urine
and decrease electrolyte loss.
2. You are called to transport a 16-year-old involved in an SUV rollover
accident after drinking with her friends. Her injuries include a fractured
pelvis, a large laceration to her left lower leg with controlled bleeding, a
head injury, a tension pneumothorax, and a left femur fracture. Which injury
is immediately life-threatening and requires immediate intervention?
, • A. Fractured pelvis
• B. Large laceration to the left lower leg
• C. Head injury
• D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D - Tension pneumothorax
Explanation: While a pelvic fracture is a critical injury that may result in
severe blood loss, and a large laceration may result in bleeding and
decompensation, the bleeding from the laceration is currently controlled. A
tension pneumothorax will rapidly result in death and requires immediate
intervention.
3. An unrestrained four-year-old was in the front passenger seat of a
vehicle that struck another vehicle traveling approximately 30 mph. The
child was found on the front seat floorboard and is suspected to have
struck the dashboard. Upon arrival at the bedside, the flight clinician
reviewed the chest x-ray identifying an abnormality in the right mainstem
bronchus. Based on the chest x-ray findings, which injury is suspected?
• A. Tension pneumothorax
• B. Flail chest
• C. Pneumothorax
• D. Tracheal rupture
Correct Answer: D - Tracheal rupture
Explanation: While rare, tracheal rupture is life-threatening and most often
results from blunt force trauma, usually from motor vehicle crashes. The
elasticity of the pediatric thoracic cage protects young children from
