FCCS Review 2024/2025 Exam
Questions and Corresponding Answers
with Surety of 100% Pass Mark
What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's
tachycardic and tachypneic. On physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus
paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during inspiration), and HoTN (80/40) with
distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to auscultation. What is the
dx? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Cardiac tamponade; obstructive shock
If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their
airway? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Difficult airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and
unresponsive. How would you ventilate this pt? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔BVM
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,A pt arrives after falling from a ladder and has a frontal laceration. On
examination, you find papilledema and labored breathing w/o being able to
clear secretions. What is your biggest concern when intubating this pt? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔Cerebral edema/increasing ICP
Intubation tends to cause an increase in ICP. Administer lidocaine prior to
intubation to inhibit vagal stimulation.
An ESRD pt w/ hyperkalemia develops dyspnea and requires intubation.
Which paralytic agent/NMB should you avoid and why? - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Succinylcholine
Worsens hyperkalemia
A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his
SpO2 is dropping. You place him on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2,
yet his SpO2 remains at 80%. Why is it not being corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is
unavailable, what is your next best choice for an airway? - 🧠ANSWER
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PRIVACY STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, ✔✔The pt is having apneic episodes, which means that administering high-
flow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔Targeted temperature management.
32-36 C
A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process
is an example of a shunt? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Pneumonia
Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD?
- 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure --> mixed
A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids,
bronchodilators, etc. with no improvement. PCO2 is in the 90s, pH is 7.20.
You decide to intubate. Vent settings are: VT 375, RR 20, FiO2 .35, PEEP
5. CXR is normal. A few minutes later, his BP drops to 70/40. Lungs are
clear/equal. Vent shows peak airway pressure of 55 (high) and plateau
pressure of 15. End expiratory hold gives auto-peep of 15.
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE.
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PRIVACY STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Questions and Corresponding Answers
with Surety of 100% Pass Mark
What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's
tachycardic and tachypneic. On physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus
paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during inspiration), and HoTN (80/40) with
distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to auscultation. What is the
dx? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Cardiac tamponade; obstructive shock
If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their
airway? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Difficult airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and
unresponsive. How would you ventilate this pt? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔BVM
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE.
1
PRIVACY STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,A pt arrives after falling from a ladder and has a frontal laceration. On
examination, you find papilledema and labored breathing w/o being able to
clear secretions. What is your biggest concern when intubating this pt? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔Cerebral edema/increasing ICP
Intubation tends to cause an increase in ICP. Administer lidocaine prior to
intubation to inhibit vagal stimulation.
An ESRD pt w/ hyperkalemia develops dyspnea and requires intubation.
Which paralytic agent/NMB should you avoid and why? - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Succinylcholine
Worsens hyperkalemia
A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his
SpO2 is dropping. You place him on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2,
yet his SpO2 remains at 80%. Why is it not being corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is
unavailable, what is your next best choice for an airway? - 🧠ANSWER
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE.
2
PRIVACY STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, ✔✔The pt is having apneic episodes, which means that administering high-
flow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔Targeted temperature management.
32-36 C
A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process
is an example of a shunt? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Pneumonia
Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD?
- 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure --> mixed
A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids,
bronchodilators, etc. with no improvement. PCO2 is in the 90s, pH is 7.20.
You decide to intubate. Vent settings are: VT 375, RR 20, FiO2 .35, PEEP
5. CXR is normal. A few minutes later, his BP drops to 70/40. Lungs are
clear/equal. Vent shows peak airway pressure of 55 (high) and plateau
pressure of 15. End expiratory hold gives auto-peep of 15.
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE.
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PRIVACY STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
