Critical Care Transport Certification
Review Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
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1. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops a high-pressure
alarm, decreased chest excursion, and absent breath sounds on the
right. What is the most likely cause?
A. Circuit disconnection
B. Right tension pneumothorax
C. Low tidal volume
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: B. Right tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Sudden increased airway pressure with unilateral absent breath
sounds and impaired ventilation strongly suggests tension pneumothorax,
which requires immediate recognition and decompression.
, 2. During critical care transport, which finding is most concerning for
inadequate oxygen delivery?
A. SpO₂ of 98%
B. Heart rate of 82/min
C. Rising serum lactate with hypotension
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: C. Rising serum lactate with hypotension
Rationale: Elevated lactate combined with hypotension suggests impaired
tissue perfusion and inadequate oxygen delivery, even if oxygen saturation
appears acceptable.
3. Which ventilator mode provides a preset tidal volume while allowing
the patient to determine respiratory rate?
A. Volume-controlled ventilation
B. Pressure support ventilation
C. CPAP
D. Pressure-controlled ventilation
Answer: A. Volume-controlled ventilation
Rationale: In volume-controlled ventilation, the clinician sets the tidal
volume while the patient's respiratory effort can influence the total
respiratory rate depending on the mode.
, 4. A patient with severe ARDS is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which
intervention is most appropriate to reduce ventilator-induced lung
injury?
A. Use large tidal volumes
B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
C. Eliminate PEEP
D. Maintain very high plateau pressures
Answer: B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
Rationale: Lung-protective ventilation using low tidal volumes helps
minimize volutrauma and is a cornerstone of ARDS management.
5. What is the primary purpose of PEEP?
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end expiration
C. Decrease functional residual capacity
D. Eliminate carbon dioxide production
Answer: B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end expiration
Rationale: Positive end-expiratory pressure maintains alveolar recruitment
and increases functional residual capacity, improving oxygenation in many
patients.
, 6. A patient receiving norepinephrine develops worsening hypotension
despite increasing infusion requirements. What should the transport
clinician assess first?
A. Patient's nutritional status
B. Vascular access and infusion system
C. Hearing acuity
D. Body temperature only
Answer: B. Vascular access and infusion system
Rationale: During transport, infusion failure, disconnection, infiltration, or
pump malfunction can rapidly cause loss of vasopressor delivery and
should be immediately excluded.
7. Which vascular access is generally preferred for prolonged
administration of multiple vasoactive medications when available?
A. Peripheral IV in the hand
B. Central venous catheter
C. Intraosseous needle indefinitely
D. Subcutaneous catheter
Review Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops a high-pressure
alarm, decreased chest excursion, and absent breath sounds on the
right. What is the most likely cause?
A. Circuit disconnection
B. Right tension pneumothorax
C. Low tidal volume
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: B. Right tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Sudden increased airway pressure with unilateral absent breath
sounds and impaired ventilation strongly suggests tension pneumothorax,
which requires immediate recognition and decompression.
, 2. During critical care transport, which finding is most concerning for
inadequate oxygen delivery?
A. SpO₂ of 98%
B. Heart rate of 82/min
C. Rising serum lactate with hypotension
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: C. Rising serum lactate with hypotension
Rationale: Elevated lactate combined with hypotension suggests impaired
tissue perfusion and inadequate oxygen delivery, even if oxygen saturation
appears acceptable.
3. Which ventilator mode provides a preset tidal volume while allowing
the patient to determine respiratory rate?
A. Volume-controlled ventilation
B. Pressure support ventilation
C. CPAP
D. Pressure-controlled ventilation
Answer: A. Volume-controlled ventilation
Rationale: In volume-controlled ventilation, the clinician sets the tidal
volume while the patient's respiratory effort can influence the total
respiratory rate depending on the mode.
, 4. A patient with severe ARDS is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which
intervention is most appropriate to reduce ventilator-induced lung
injury?
A. Use large tidal volumes
B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
C. Eliminate PEEP
D. Maintain very high plateau pressures
Answer: B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
Rationale: Lung-protective ventilation using low tidal volumes helps
minimize volutrauma and is a cornerstone of ARDS management.
5. What is the primary purpose of PEEP?
A. Increase airway resistance
B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end expiration
C. Decrease functional residual capacity
D. Eliminate carbon dioxide production
Answer: B. Prevent alveolar collapse at end expiration
Rationale: Positive end-expiratory pressure maintains alveolar recruitment
and increases functional residual capacity, improving oxygenation in many
patients.
, 6. A patient receiving norepinephrine develops worsening hypotension
despite increasing infusion requirements. What should the transport
clinician assess first?
A. Patient's nutritional status
B. Vascular access and infusion system
C. Hearing acuity
D. Body temperature only
Answer: B. Vascular access and infusion system
Rationale: During transport, infusion failure, disconnection, infiltration, or
pump malfunction can rapidly cause loss of vasopressor delivery and
should be immediately excluded.
7. Which vascular access is generally preferred for prolonged
administration of multiple vasoactive medications when available?
A. Peripheral IV in the hand
B. Central venous catheter
C. Intraosseous needle indefinitely
D. Subcutaneous catheter
