AIR METHODS CRITICAL CARE EXAM
SCRIPT VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
●● The upper airway consists of...
Answer: Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
●● No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________.
Answer: Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg
of inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
units.
●● Crycothyroid membrane
Answer: 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.
Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis
,●● PaCO2 normal range
Answer: 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?
Answer: Tension pneumothorax
●● In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?
Answer: AWAY from affected side.
●● Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure
Answer: 10-20 mmHg
●● Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...
Answer: (PAm) greater than 20
●● Primary pulmonary hypertension
Answer: Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the
pulmonary blood vessels
●● Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..
,Answer: 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
Answer: 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...
Answer: Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls,
3rd is violence
●● fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?
Answer: Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood
loss shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
●● Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....
Answer: Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
●● The FRC in a pregnant patient is....
Answer: Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
, ●● chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher
Answer: Because of the lifted diaphragm
●● What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?
Answer: Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-
50%.
●● Preterm Labor (PTL)
Answer:
●● abruptio placentae
Answer: premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
●● On a pregnant patient...
Answer: 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?
SCRIPT VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
●● The upper airway consists of...
Answer: Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity, Pharynx, and Larynx
●● No gas exchange occurs here __________, it's called ____________.
Answer: Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg
of inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
units.
●● Crycothyroid membrane
Answer: 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.
Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis
,●● PaCO2 normal range
Answer: 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?
Answer: Tension pneumothorax
●● In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?
Answer: AWAY from affected side.
●● Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure
Answer: 10-20 mmHg
●● Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...
Answer: (PAm) greater than 20
●● Primary pulmonary hypertension
Answer: Idiopathic genetic disorder caused by abnormal structure of the
pulmonary blood vessels
●● Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..
,Answer: 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
Answer: 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...
Answer: Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by falls,
3rd is violence
●● fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?
Answer: Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood
loss shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
●● Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....
Answer: Fetal tachycardia (140 to 160+) and fetal bradycardia
●● The FRC in a pregnant patient is....
Answer: Reduced by the gravid uterus lifting the diaphragm.
, ●● chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher
Answer: Because of the lifted diaphragm
●● What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?
Answer: Hemodilitional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-
50%.
●● Preterm Labor (PTL)
Answer:
●● abruptio placentae
Answer: premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
●● On a pregnant patient...
Answer: 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?
