AIR METHODS CRITICAL CARE EXAM 2026/2027 | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS | CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT
| AIR MEDICAL | FLIGHT NURSE & PARAMEDIC | PASS GUARANTEED -
A+ GRADED
What is the most reliable method of confirming and montioring correct
placement of an ET tube?
Continuous waveform capnography
The upper airway consists of...
Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________.
Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of inspired tidal
volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange units.
Crycothyroid membrane
between thyroid and cricoid, avascular structure that connects the thyroid and
cricoid cartilage. Site of CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emergency opening of the
airway.
A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 normal range
35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means hyperventilation
Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance... What's happening?
Tension pneumothorax
,In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?
AWAY from affected side.
Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure
10-20 mmHg
Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...
(PAm) greater than 20
Primary pulmonary hypertension
Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the pulmonary
blood vessels
Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..
1. Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
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
TNP of the Pregnant patient
Resuscitation priorities are the same. The best way to take care of the baby is to
take care of mama
Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of maternal
injury is...
Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd is violence
fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss shunts
blood away from the fetus to the mom.
Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....
Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
The FRC in a pregnant patient is....
, Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher
Because of the lifted diaphragm
What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?
Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
Preterm Labor (PTL)
abruptio placentae
premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
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.
What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index?
A valid reliable 5 level triage tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric
trauma patients.
Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by
approximately 30%!
Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended...
for all pregnant patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly
button).
Fundal height measurement
equals the approximate gestational age in weeks, until week 32.
Belly button is 20 weeks
Height of last rib is 26 weeks
costal margin is 36 weeks
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS | CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT
| AIR MEDICAL | FLIGHT NURSE & PARAMEDIC | PASS GUARANTEED -
A+ GRADED
What is the most reliable method of confirming and montioring correct
placement of an ET tube?
Continuous waveform capnography
The upper airway consists of...
Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________.
Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of inspired tidal
volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange units.
Crycothyroid membrane
between thyroid and cricoid, avascular structure that connects the thyroid and
cricoid cartilage. Site of CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emergency opening of the
airway.
A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis
PaCO2 normal range
35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means hyperventilation
Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance... What's happening?
Tension pneumothorax
,In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?
AWAY from affected side.
Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure
10-20 mmHg
Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...
(PAm) greater than 20
Primary pulmonary hypertension
Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the pulmonary
blood vessels
Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..
1. Passive PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
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
TNP of the Pregnant patient
Resuscitation priorities are the same. The best way to take care of the baby is to
take care of mama
Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of maternal
injury is...
Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls, 3rd is violence
fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss shunts
blood away from the fetus to the mom.
Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....
Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
The FRC in a pregnant patient is....
, Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher
Because of the lifted diaphragm
What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?
Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
Preterm Labor (PTL)
abruptio placentae
premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
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.
What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index?
A valid reliable 5 level triage tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric
trauma patients.
Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by
approximately 30%!
Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended...
for all pregnant patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly
button).
Fundal height measurement
equals the approximate gestational age in weeks, until week 32.
Belly button is 20 weeks
Height of last rib is 26 weeks
costal margin is 36 weeks
