CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT-FLIGHT
PARAMEDIC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Ideal Gas Law - Answer-Gas law; created to explain Boyle's Law vs. Charles Law; It
takes a large amount of temperature change to affect a small amount of volume; pV =
nRT (absolute pressure of gas x volume = amount of substance x gas constant x
absolute temperature)
Dalton's Law - Answer-Gas law; The total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the
individual partial pressure of all the gas in the mixture; As altitude increases, the amount
of oxygen molecules decreases, but the percentage of molecules remains the same; Pt
= P1 + P2 + P3... (Pt = total pressure of a gas)
Henry's Law - Answer-Gas law; The amount of gas in a solution is proportional to the
partial pressure of gas in contact with the liquid; decompression sickness: increased
nitrogen absorbed into the blood at depth, nitrogen "bubbles" exit the blood with rapid
change in air pressure; soda bottle: CO2 held in suspension by pressure, lid is removed
and CO2 exits to equalize with atmospheric pressure; P = KHC
Graham's Law - Answer-Gas law; With temperature and pressure held constant, the
relative rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square roots of the
density of those gases; The less dense the gas, the more rapidly the gas will diffuse
through the air; Lighter gases diffuse more rapidly in narrowed peripheral airways
(heliox); CO2 has a solubility factor 19 times greater than O2 and will more rapidly
diffuse across a membrane
15 PSI/1 atm - Answer-Amount of pressure at 33 ft of ocean depth
indifferent stage - Answer-first of the four stages of hypoxia; sea level to 10,000 ft in
altitude; 33,000-39,000 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 of 90-95%; night vision lost
5,000 ft; slight increase in heart rate and respiratory rate
compensatory stage - Answer-second of the four stages of hypoxia; 10,000-15,000 ft in
altitude; 39,000-42,000 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 80-90%; signs and
symptoms include deceased alertness, subtle errors in judgement, fatigue, irritability,
headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, increased blood pressure, increased tidal volume,
altered mental status
disturbance stage - Answer-third of the four stages of hypoxia, 15,000-20,000 ft in
altitude; 42,000-45,200 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 70-80%; signs and
symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, cyanosis, impairment, tachypnea, altered mental
,status, impaired central and peripheral vision, and personality changes; period of useful
consciousness is 15-20 minutes
critical stage - Answer-last of the four stages of hypoxia; 20,000-23,000 ft in altitude,
45,200-46,800 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 60-70%; signs and symptoms include
severe altered mental status, seizures, impairment, unconsciousness, severe mental
and physical capacitation, and death
hypoxic hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate oxygenation
secondary to reduced partial pressures of oxygen in inspired air; caused by reduced
PaO2, impaired gas exchange across the alveolar-capillary membrane, or impaired
ventilation
anemic (hypemic) hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to reduced to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity (from either
inadequate availability of oxygen molecules or obstructive pathology that prevents
oxygen from diffusing across alveolar membranes); caused by CO poisoning, anemia,
blood loss, drugs causing methemoglobinemia, alcohol use or abuse, COPD,
pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary embolism
stagnant hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to reduced cardiac output, pooling of blood, reduced blood flow
to tissues, or restriction of blood flow; cause by heart failure, shock, gravitational forces,
positive pressure ventilation, or pulmonary embolism
histotoxic hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to metabolic disorder or poisoning of the cytochrome oxidase
enzyme system resulting in cellular inability to utilize oxygen; caused by toxic gas
poisoning, alcohol or narcotic abuse, or cyanide poisoning
temperature - Answer-the "vital sign" should be monitored on ALL patients during flight,
especially pediatric patients
30 degrees - Answer-angle at which the patient's head should be raised on the stretcher
in most cases, especially intubated patients and patients with head injuries
rotor-wing aircraft - Answer-type of aircraft typically used for transports less than 150
nautical miles; operates at sustained speeds of 100-200 mph and at altitudes less than
10,000 ft
fixed-wing aircraft - Answer-type of aircraft typically used for transports over 150
nautical miles; operates at speed ranges from 300-600 mph and at altitudes up to
38,000 ft
, Part 91 - Answer-the section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations that governs
the operation of all aircraft within the U.S., including the waters within 12 nautical miles
of the U.S. coast; can only be used when NO medical crew is on board
Part 135 - Answer-the section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations that
governs all commuter or on-demand commercial flight operations; contains strict
weather minimums and duty times; requires that pilots have no more than 14 hours of
duty time followed by at least 10 hours of rest; must be used when a medical crew is on
board
Crew Resource Management (CRM) - Answer-one solution that has been implemented
to reduce the number of air medical accidents defined as using all available resources
(information, equipment, and people) to achieve safe and efficient flight operations;
focuses on the cognitive and interpersonal skills needed to successfully complete the
flight
therapeutic misadventure - Answer-implies death that occurs as a result of unexpected
complications of medical procedures; a "nice" term for a medical mistake
dialysis fistula - Answer-a dialysis site that is formed by surgically connecting the walls
of an artery to the walls of a vein; takes three to six months to mature
dialysis graft - Answer-a dialysis site that is created by connecting the artery and the
vein with a synthetic tube; takes two to six weeks to mature
PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) - Answer-non-tunneled CVAC (central
venous access catheter) that is popular in patients who require intermediate to long-
term, as well as short-term, venous access; the most popular form of vascular access in
NICU patients; commonly composed of biocompatible materials and come in a variety
of sizes; can have multiple lumina; used for TPN, chemotherapy, blood products, blood
sampling, fluid and drug administration, and measuring CVP (central venous pressure)
Hickman Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) used for
long-term use in the cephalic, subclavian, internal jugular, or external jugular vein; has
thromboresistant lumina made of polymeric silicone and are available in double and
triple catheters; frequent heparin flushes required
Broviac Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) that is
typically used for pediatric patients for long-term use of TPN, IV fluids, and medications;
lumina made of polymeric silicone and are available in double and triple catheters;
needs to be flushed once daily to once weekly when not in use and must be
heparinized; injection cap should be changed every seven days or after 18 needle
insertions, after the cap has been removed, if it appears damaged, or after a blood draw
Groshong Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) that has
a long, hollow lumen made of soft silicone, and has a closed, rounded tip and a three-
PARAMEDIC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Ideal Gas Law - Answer-Gas law; created to explain Boyle's Law vs. Charles Law; It
takes a large amount of temperature change to affect a small amount of volume; pV =
nRT (absolute pressure of gas x volume = amount of substance x gas constant x
absolute temperature)
Dalton's Law - Answer-Gas law; The total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the
individual partial pressure of all the gas in the mixture; As altitude increases, the amount
of oxygen molecules decreases, but the percentage of molecules remains the same; Pt
= P1 + P2 + P3... (Pt = total pressure of a gas)
Henry's Law - Answer-Gas law; The amount of gas in a solution is proportional to the
partial pressure of gas in contact with the liquid; decompression sickness: increased
nitrogen absorbed into the blood at depth, nitrogen "bubbles" exit the blood with rapid
change in air pressure; soda bottle: CO2 held in suspension by pressure, lid is removed
and CO2 exits to equalize with atmospheric pressure; P = KHC
Graham's Law - Answer-Gas law; With temperature and pressure held constant, the
relative rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square roots of the
density of those gases; The less dense the gas, the more rapidly the gas will diffuse
through the air; Lighter gases diffuse more rapidly in narrowed peripheral airways
(heliox); CO2 has a solubility factor 19 times greater than O2 and will more rapidly
diffuse across a membrane
15 PSI/1 atm - Answer-Amount of pressure at 33 ft of ocean depth
indifferent stage - Answer-first of the four stages of hypoxia; sea level to 10,000 ft in
altitude; 33,000-39,000 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 of 90-95%; night vision lost
5,000 ft; slight increase in heart rate and respiratory rate
compensatory stage - Answer-second of the four stages of hypoxia; 10,000-15,000 ft in
altitude; 39,000-42,000 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 80-90%; signs and
symptoms include deceased alertness, subtle errors in judgement, fatigue, irritability,
headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, increased blood pressure, increased tidal volume,
altered mental status
disturbance stage - Answer-third of the four stages of hypoxia, 15,000-20,000 ft in
altitude; 42,000-45,200 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 70-80%; signs and
symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, cyanosis, impairment, tachypnea, altered mental
,status, impaired central and peripheral vision, and personality changes; period of useful
consciousness is 15-20 minutes
critical stage - Answer-last of the four stages of hypoxia; 20,000-23,000 ft in altitude,
45,200-46,800 ft if breathing 100% oxygen; SpO2 60-70%; signs and symptoms include
severe altered mental status, seizures, impairment, unconsciousness, severe mental
and physical capacitation, and death
hypoxic hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate oxygenation
secondary to reduced partial pressures of oxygen in inspired air; caused by reduced
PaO2, impaired gas exchange across the alveolar-capillary membrane, or impaired
ventilation
anemic (hypemic) hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to reduced to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity (from either
inadequate availability of oxygen molecules or obstructive pathology that prevents
oxygen from diffusing across alveolar membranes); caused by CO poisoning, anemia,
blood loss, drugs causing methemoglobinemia, alcohol use or abuse, COPD,
pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary embolism
stagnant hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to reduced cardiac output, pooling of blood, reduced blood flow
to tissues, or restriction of blood flow; cause by heart failure, shock, gravitational forces,
positive pressure ventilation, or pulmonary embolism
histotoxic hypoxia - Answer-one of the four types of hypoxia; inadequate tissue
oxygenation secondary to metabolic disorder or poisoning of the cytochrome oxidase
enzyme system resulting in cellular inability to utilize oxygen; caused by toxic gas
poisoning, alcohol or narcotic abuse, or cyanide poisoning
temperature - Answer-the "vital sign" should be monitored on ALL patients during flight,
especially pediatric patients
30 degrees - Answer-angle at which the patient's head should be raised on the stretcher
in most cases, especially intubated patients and patients with head injuries
rotor-wing aircraft - Answer-type of aircraft typically used for transports less than 150
nautical miles; operates at sustained speeds of 100-200 mph and at altitudes less than
10,000 ft
fixed-wing aircraft - Answer-type of aircraft typically used for transports over 150
nautical miles; operates at speed ranges from 300-600 mph and at altitudes up to
38,000 ft
, Part 91 - Answer-the section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations that governs
the operation of all aircraft within the U.S., including the waters within 12 nautical miles
of the U.S. coast; can only be used when NO medical crew is on board
Part 135 - Answer-the section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations that
governs all commuter or on-demand commercial flight operations; contains strict
weather minimums and duty times; requires that pilots have no more than 14 hours of
duty time followed by at least 10 hours of rest; must be used when a medical crew is on
board
Crew Resource Management (CRM) - Answer-one solution that has been implemented
to reduce the number of air medical accidents defined as using all available resources
(information, equipment, and people) to achieve safe and efficient flight operations;
focuses on the cognitive and interpersonal skills needed to successfully complete the
flight
therapeutic misadventure - Answer-implies death that occurs as a result of unexpected
complications of medical procedures; a "nice" term for a medical mistake
dialysis fistula - Answer-a dialysis site that is formed by surgically connecting the walls
of an artery to the walls of a vein; takes three to six months to mature
dialysis graft - Answer-a dialysis site that is created by connecting the artery and the
vein with a synthetic tube; takes two to six weeks to mature
PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) - Answer-non-tunneled CVAC (central
venous access catheter) that is popular in patients who require intermediate to long-
term, as well as short-term, venous access; the most popular form of vascular access in
NICU patients; commonly composed of biocompatible materials and come in a variety
of sizes; can have multiple lumina; used for TPN, chemotherapy, blood products, blood
sampling, fluid and drug administration, and measuring CVP (central venous pressure)
Hickman Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) used for
long-term use in the cephalic, subclavian, internal jugular, or external jugular vein; has
thromboresistant lumina made of polymeric silicone and are available in double and
triple catheters; frequent heparin flushes required
Broviac Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) that is
typically used for pediatric patients for long-term use of TPN, IV fluids, and medications;
lumina made of polymeric silicone and are available in double and triple catheters;
needs to be flushed once daily to once weekly when not in use and must be
heparinized; injection cap should be changed every seven days or after 18 needle
insertions, after the cap has been removed, if it appears damaged, or after a blood draw
Groshong Catheter - Answer-tunneled CVAC (central venous access catheter) that has
a long, hollow lumen made of soft silicone, and has a closed, rounded tip and a three-
