FCCS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
A patient arrives in the emergency department with a respiratory rate of 4 breaths/minute. She
is not intubated. Overdose with a centrally acting nervous system depressant is suspected.
Which of the following is the most likely finding on the initial blood gas? - ANS Acute
hypercapnic respiratory failure only
A patient is neurologically devastated, mechanically ventilated, and undergoing dialysis. The
neurology service says there is no expectation of neurologic recovery or improvement. The
family is resistant to any decision regarding limiting or stopping any life-sustaining treatment.
Multiple discussions have occurred during the past 6 weeks. Which of the following is the most
appropriate next step? - ANS Begin formal conflict-resolution process
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and new-
onset lower extremity edema. His vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F); heart rate 114
beats/min; respiratory rate 28 breaths/min; blood pressure 86/62 mm Hg; and oxygen
saturation as measured by pulse oximetry, (SpO2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is
transferred to the ICU, intubated, and a central line is placed. His hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic
acid is 4.2 mg/dL, SpO2 has improved to 98%, and central venous oxygen saturation is (ScvO2)
43%. This Scvo2 level indicates which of the following findings? - ANS Decrease oxygen
delivery and/or increased oxygen consumption
A 75-year-old patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a cardiac
arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and requires CPR. The patient is being ventilated at 10
breaths/min as CPR ensues. A medical student believes the patient has a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order on file. The nurse is concerned that the patient has only 1 working IV line. Which of
the following is the most appropriate approach? - ANS Ensure quantitative end-tidal CO2
monitoring during CPR
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 9
, A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and new-
onset lower extremity edema. Vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F), heart rate 114
beats/min, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, blood pressure 86/62 mm Hg, and oxygen
saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (Spo2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred
to the ICU, intubated, and a central line is placed. Transthoracic echocardiogram shows
significantly reduced left ventricular function. Hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic acid 4.2 mg/dL, and
central venous oxygen saturation 43%. Which of the following interventions will significantly
improve oxygen delivery? - ANS Start vasopressors to increase systolic blood pressure
Which of the following are expected physiologic changes during pregnancy? - ANS Decreased
functional residual capacity in the third trimester
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking
develops sudden-onset severe chest pain associated with difficulty breathing and diaphoresis.
Her vital signs on arrival in the emergency department are: blood pressure, 165/92 mm Hg;
heart rate, 101 beats/min; respiratory rate, 29 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation as measured
by pulse oximetry, 96% on room air. Which of the following ECG findings is the most significant
indicator for immediate reperfusion in this patient? - ANS ST segment elevation
A 69-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. He is confused and has significant abdominal tenderness to palpation and labored
breathing. Vital signs show hypotension despite crystalloid bolus and hypoxemia not responsive
to supplemental oxygen. Which of the following is the most appropriate induction agent for
intubation? - ANS Ketamine
A 22-year-old man is admitted to the hospital after a motorcycle accident. He was wearing a
helmet that sustained obvious damage. On initial examination, he will not open his eyes to
painful stimuli, but makes incomprehensible sounds; he withdraws from pain but cannot
localize it. His vital signs are as follows: respiratory rate, 14/min; heart rate, 88/min; and blood
pressure, 110/60 mm Hg. His oxygen saturation (SpO2) is 93% on high-flow oxygen via face
mask. During his initial management, the patient is cleared for spinal cord injury, intubated, and
placed on assist-control ventilation. His initial brain CT scan demonstrates a small subdural
hematoma and evidence of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). A neurosurgical consultation is
obtained, and an ICP device is placed. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
management for this patient? - ANS Elevation of the head of bed 30-45° while maintaining
the head and neck in neutral position
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 9
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
A patient arrives in the emergency department with a respiratory rate of 4 breaths/minute. She
is not intubated. Overdose with a centrally acting nervous system depressant is suspected.
Which of the following is the most likely finding on the initial blood gas? - ANS Acute
hypercapnic respiratory failure only
A patient is neurologically devastated, mechanically ventilated, and undergoing dialysis. The
neurology service says there is no expectation of neurologic recovery or improvement. The
family is resistant to any decision regarding limiting or stopping any life-sustaining treatment.
Multiple discussions have occurred during the past 6 weeks. Which of the following is the most
appropriate next step? - ANS Begin formal conflict-resolution process
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and new-
onset lower extremity edema. His vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F); heart rate 114
beats/min; respiratory rate 28 breaths/min; blood pressure 86/62 mm Hg; and oxygen
saturation as measured by pulse oximetry, (SpO2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is
transferred to the ICU, intubated, and a central line is placed. His hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic
acid is 4.2 mg/dL, SpO2 has improved to 98%, and central venous oxygen saturation is (ScvO2)
43%. This Scvo2 level indicates which of the following findings? - ANS Decrease oxygen
delivery and/or increased oxygen consumption
A 75-year-old patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a cardiac
arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and requires CPR. The patient is being ventilated at 10
breaths/min as CPR ensues. A medical student believes the patient has a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order on file. The nurse is concerned that the patient has only 1 working IV line. Which of
the following is the most appropriate approach? - ANS Ensure quantitative end-tidal CO2
monitoring during CPR
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 9
, A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath and new-
onset lower extremity edema. Vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F), heart rate 114
beats/min, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, blood pressure 86/62 mm Hg, and oxygen
saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (Spo2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred
to the ICU, intubated, and a central line is placed. Transthoracic echocardiogram shows
significantly reduced left ventricular function. Hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic acid 4.2 mg/dL, and
central venous oxygen saturation 43%. Which of the following interventions will significantly
improve oxygen delivery? - ANS Start vasopressors to increase systolic blood pressure
Which of the following are expected physiologic changes during pregnancy? - ANS Decreased
functional residual capacity in the third trimester
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking
develops sudden-onset severe chest pain associated with difficulty breathing and diaphoresis.
Her vital signs on arrival in the emergency department are: blood pressure, 165/92 mm Hg;
heart rate, 101 beats/min; respiratory rate, 29 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation as measured
by pulse oximetry, 96% on room air. Which of the following ECG findings is the most significant
indicator for immediate reperfusion in this patient? - ANS ST segment elevation
A 69-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. He is confused and has significant abdominal tenderness to palpation and labored
breathing. Vital signs show hypotension despite crystalloid bolus and hypoxemia not responsive
to supplemental oxygen. Which of the following is the most appropriate induction agent for
intubation? - ANS Ketamine
A 22-year-old man is admitted to the hospital after a motorcycle accident. He was wearing a
helmet that sustained obvious damage. On initial examination, he will not open his eyes to
painful stimuli, but makes incomprehensible sounds; he withdraws from pain but cannot
localize it. His vital signs are as follows: respiratory rate, 14/min; heart rate, 88/min; and blood
pressure, 110/60 mm Hg. His oxygen saturation (SpO2) is 93% on high-flow oxygen via face
mask. During his initial management, the patient is cleared for spinal cord injury, intubated, and
placed on assist-control ventilation. His initial brain CT scan demonstrates a small subdural
hematoma and evidence of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). A neurosurgical consultation is
obtained, and an ICP device is placed. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
management for this patient? - ANS Elevation of the head of bed 30-45° while maintaining
the head and neck in neutral position
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 9
