Air Methods Critical Care Exam Prep 2026
Guide
1. What is the most reliable Continuous waveform capnography
method of confirming and
montioring correct place-
ment of an ET tube?
2. The upper airway consists Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
of...
3. No gas exchange occurs Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of
here , it's called inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
. units.
4. Crycothyroid membrane between thyroid and cricoid, avascular structure that connects the
thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emer-
gency opening of the airway.
5. A PaCO2 greater than 45 C. Respiratory acidosis
mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
6. PaCO2 normal range 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means hyperventilation
7. Tracheal deviation AWAY Tension pneumothorax
from the affected side,
decreased breath sounds,
and hyperresonance...
What's happening?
8. AWAY from attected side.
, Air Methods Critical Care Exam Prep 2026
Guide
In a tension pneumotho-
rax tracheal deviation goes
in what direction?
9. Normal mean pulmonary 10-20 mmHg
artery pressure
10. Pulmonary hypertension (PAm) greater than 20
is a mean PA pressure
greater than...
11. Primary pulmonary hyper- Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the
tension pulmonary blood vessels
12. Name three causes of sec- 1. Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic
ondary pulmonary hyper- failure.
tension.. 2. Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume
in pulmonary circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease)
3. Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
13. TNP of the Pregnant pa- Resuscitation priorities are the same. The best way to take care of
tient the baby is to take care of mama
14. Mechanisms of injury and Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd is
biomechanics the most violence
common cause of mater-
nal injury is...
15. fetal distress is an early Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss
sign of maternal distress... shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
Why?
16. Fetal hypo perfusion is evi- Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
denced by....
, Air Methods Critical Care Exam Prep 2026
Guide
17. The FRC in a pregnant pa- Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
tient is....
18. chest tube placement in Because of the lifted diaphragm
a pregnant patient is 1-2
spaces higher
19. What is the cause of phys- Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
iological anemia in preg-
nant patients?
20. Preterm Labor (PTL)
21. abruptio placentae premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
22. On a pregnant patient... Chest compressions must be higher on the sternum.
Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus above
the umbilicus should have the uterus left laterally displaced during
compressions to avoid aortocaval compression. A 15 degree tilt of
the long board or lateral displacement.
23. What is the Maternal Fetal A valid reliable 5 level triage tool that may assist in the triage of
Triage Index? obstetric trauma patients.
24. Displacing the uterus off approximately 30%!
the vena cava can improve
CO by
25. Continuous fetal monitor- for all pregnant patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus
ing is recommended... above belly button).
26. Fundal height measure- equals the approximate gestational age in weeks, until week 32.
ment Belly button is 20 weeks
Guide
1. What is the most reliable Continuous waveform capnography
method of confirming and
montioring correct place-
ment of an ET tube?
2. The upper airway consists Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
of...
3. No gas exchange occurs Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of
here , it's called inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
. units.
4. Crycothyroid membrane between thyroid and cricoid, avascular structure that connects the
thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emer-
gency opening of the airway.
5. A PaCO2 greater than 45 C. Respiratory acidosis
mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
6. PaCO2 normal range 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means hyperventilation
7. Tracheal deviation AWAY Tension pneumothorax
from the affected side,
decreased breath sounds,
and hyperresonance...
What's happening?
8. AWAY from attected side.
, Air Methods Critical Care Exam Prep 2026
Guide
In a tension pneumotho-
rax tracheal deviation goes
in what direction?
9. Normal mean pulmonary 10-20 mmHg
artery pressure
10. Pulmonary hypertension (PAm) greater than 20
is a mean PA pressure
greater than...
11. Primary pulmonary hyper- Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the
tension pulmonary blood vessels
12. Name three causes of sec- 1. Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic
ondary pulmonary hyper- failure.
tension.. 2. Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume
in pulmonary circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease)
3. Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
13. TNP of the Pregnant pa- Resuscitation priorities are the same. The best way to take care of
tient the baby is to take care of mama
14. Mechanisms of injury and Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd is
biomechanics the most violence
common cause of mater-
nal injury is...
15. fetal distress is an early Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss
sign of maternal distress... shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
Why?
16. Fetal hypo perfusion is evi- Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
denced by....
, Air Methods Critical Care Exam Prep 2026
Guide
17. The FRC in a pregnant pa- Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
tient is....
18. chest tube placement in Because of the lifted diaphragm
a pregnant patient is 1-2
spaces higher
19. What is the cause of phys- Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
iological anemia in preg-
nant patients?
20. Preterm Labor (PTL)
21. abruptio placentae premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
22. On a pregnant patient... Chest compressions must be higher on the sternum.
Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus above
the umbilicus should have the uterus left laterally displaced during
compressions to avoid aortocaval compression. A 15 degree tilt of
the long board or lateral displacement.
23. What is the Maternal Fetal A valid reliable 5 level triage tool that may assist in the triage of
Triage Index? obstetric trauma patients.
24. Displacing the uterus off approximately 30%!
the vena cava can improve
CO by
25. Continuous fetal monitor- for all pregnant patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus
ing is recommended... above belly button).
26. Fundal height measure- equals the approximate gestational age in weeks, until week 32.
ment Belly button is 20 weeks
