FREC 5 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. Which of the following is the physiological formula for calculating Cardiac Output (CO)?
A. CO = Heart Rate / Stroke Volume
B. CO = Blood Pressure / Vascular Resistance
C. CO = Stroke Volume × Heart Rate
D. CO = Tidal Volume × Respiratory Rate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cardiac Output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per
minute, calculated by multiplying the volume of blood ejected per beat (Stroke Volume) by
the number of beats per minute (Heart Rate).
2. In adult advanced life support, what is the initial intravenous dose of Amiodarone
recommended after the third shock?
A. 150 mg
B. 1 mg
C. 300 mg
,D. 500 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For refractory VF/pVT, 300 mg of Amiodarone is administered
IV/IO after the third shock. A further 150 mg may be given after the fifth shock.
3. Which clinical sign is considered a late and rare indicator of tension pneumothorax?
A. Reduced breath sounds on the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation
C. Hyper-resonance to percussion
D. Tachycardia and hypotension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While often taught, tracheal deviation is a very late and often
absent sign in clinical practice for tension pneumothorax.
4. A patient presents with a GCS where they open eyes to speech, are confused in
conversation, and withdraw from pain. What is their total GCS score?
A. 10
B. 13
C. 12
D. 11
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Eyes to speech = 3; Confused conversation = 4; Withdraws from
pain = 4. Total score = 11.
5. Which of the following describes the mechanism of action of Tranexamic Acid (TXA)?
A. It activates the extrinsic clotting pathway
B. It inhibits the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
C. It causes systemic vasoconstriction to reduce bleeding
D. It is an antifibrinolytic that prevents the breakdown of blood clots
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: TXA works by binding to plasminogen and preventing its
activation to plasmin, thereby inhibiting fibrinolysis (clot breakdown).
6. What is the preferred site for needle thoracocentesis (decompression) in a patient with a
tension pneumothorax according to current JRCALC guidelines?
A. 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line
B. Both A and B are acceptable depending on local protocol and patient habitus
C. 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
D. 5th intercostal space, mid-axillary line
Answer: B
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. Which of the following is the physiological formula for calculating Cardiac Output (CO)?
A. CO = Heart Rate / Stroke Volume
B. CO = Blood Pressure / Vascular Resistance
C. CO = Stroke Volume × Heart Rate
D. CO = Tidal Volume × Respiratory Rate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cardiac Output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per
minute, calculated by multiplying the volume of blood ejected per beat (Stroke Volume) by
the number of beats per minute (Heart Rate).
2. In adult advanced life support, what is the initial intravenous dose of Amiodarone
recommended after the third shock?
A. 150 mg
B. 1 mg
C. 300 mg
,D. 500 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For refractory VF/pVT, 300 mg of Amiodarone is administered
IV/IO after the third shock. A further 150 mg may be given after the fifth shock.
3. Which clinical sign is considered a late and rare indicator of tension pneumothorax?
A. Reduced breath sounds on the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation
C. Hyper-resonance to percussion
D. Tachycardia and hypotension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While often taught, tracheal deviation is a very late and often
absent sign in clinical practice for tension pneumothorax.
4. A patient presents with a GCS where they open eyes to speech, are confused in
conversation, and withdraw from pain. What is their total GCS score?
A. 10
B. 13
C. 12
D. 11
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Eyes to speech = 3; Confused conversation = 4; Withdraws from
pain = 4. Total score = 11.
5. Which of the following describes the mechanism of action of Tranexamic Acid (TXA)?
A. It activates the extrinsic clotting pathway
B. It inhibits the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
C. It causes systemic vasoconstriction to reduce bleeding
D. It is an antifibrinolytic that prevents the breakdown of blood clots
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: TXA works by binding to plasminogen and preventing its
activation to plasmin, thereby inhibiting fibrinolysis (clot breakdown).
6. What is the preferred site for needle thoracocentesis (decompression) in a patient with a
tension pneumothorax according to current JRCALC guidelines?
A. 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line
B. Both A and B are acceptable depending on local protocol and patient habitus
C. 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
D. 5th intercostal space, mid-axillary line
Answer: B
