ECMO Specialist Exam (2025-2026) – Complete Questions
and Solutions
Introduction:
This document provides a comprehensive collection of verified ECMO
(Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) specialist exam questions
with complete answers and explanations. It covers all major topics
required for ECMO certification, including circuit components,
oxygenation management, anticoagulation, ARDS management,
cannulation techniques, pharmacology, and emergency procedures.
Each question includes the precise answer and rationale, making it
ideal for intensive review and clinical exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Answers
what are the two major factors regarding flow with centrigual
pumps? --- correct precise answer ---preload dependent, afterload
sensitive
which ecmo systems have a hand crank? --- correct precise answer
---rotaflow and cardiohelp
what are the gas fibers called in the oxygenator? --- correct precise
answer ---polymethylpentene (PMP)
no direct interface with blood and gas and no plasma leak
gas travels inside, blood travels outside
,what is the gas exchange surface area of the oxygenator and normal
lung? --- correct precise answer ---1.8 m2 oxygenator
70 m2 natural lung
what are the water fibers called? --- correct precise answer ---
polyurethane
how do you increase oxygenation in the ECMO world? --- correct
precise answer ---1. increase FDO2
2. increase flows
3. increase hgb
how do you increase CO2 removal in the ECMO world? --- correct
precise answer ---1. increase sweep
2. increase BSA of oxy - add or change
what values does the CDI venous saturation sensor on the pump
trend? --- correct precise answer ---1. hct
2. hgb
3. SVO2
what is cavitation? --- correct precise answer ---release of gaseous
micro bubbles from a liquid
,approx -650 mmhg
dont clamp on the neg side
what is the hard pressure limit for the P art? --- correct precise
answer ---300 mmhg = high resistance
what is the delta P? --- correct precise answer ---transmembrane
pressure Ppre- Ppost
trend- should be less than 60
if increasing, clotting occurs
what is the connection order for the CRRT? --- correct precise
answer ---access- closest to the pump
return- closest to the oxygenator (neg side)
what is chattering? --- correct precise answer ---collapse of the
vein around the venous cannula due to hypovolemia
what is hemolysis, s/s, tx --- correct precise answer ---breakdown
of red blood cells
hematuria and elevated plasma free hgb
decrease RPM's, transfuse
, what do six things do you take when you travel with ECMO? ---
correct precise answer ---1. hand crank
2. clamps x 4
3. emergency meds
4. volume - albumin/ LR
5. back up O2 tank
6. battery fully charged
what do you do with ECMO during swan insertion? --- correct
precise answer ---turn down flows!!
what do you do with ecmo for echos? --- correct precise answer ---
decrease flow to 2 lpm
list 10 safety checks that need performed q4h --- correct precise
answer ---1. verify all electrical cords are plugged into the red
outlet
2. verify wall oxygen and medical air blender is plugged into wall
3. ensure there is at least on full O2 tank available in ECMO cart
4. ensure the gas line from blender is connected to oxygenator
5. ensure the emergency hand crank is in the ECMO pump cart
6. ensure two tubing clamps are hanging from the cart
7. ensure two 60 ml syringes are on top of cart
and Solutions
Introduction:
This document provides a comprehensive collection of verified ECMO
(Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) specialist exam questions
with complete answers and explanations. It covers all major topics
required for ECMO certification, including circuit components,
oxygenation management, anticoagulation, ARDS management,
cannulation techniques, pharmacology, and emergency procedures.
Each question includes the precise answer and rationale, making it
ideal for intensive review and clinical exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Answers
what are the two major factors regarding flow with centrigual
pumps? --- correct precise answer ---preload dependent, afterload
sensitive
which ecmo systems have a hand crank? --- correct precise answer
---rotaflow and cardiohelp
what are the gas fibers called in the oxygenator? --- correct precise
answer ---polymethylpentene (PMP)
no direct interface with blood and gas and no plasma leak
gas travels inside, blood travels outside
,what is the gas exchange surface area of the oxygenator and normal
lung? --- correct precise answer ---1.8 m2 oxygenator
70 m2 natural lung
what are the water fibers called? --- correct precise answer ---
polyurethane
how do you increase oxygenation in the ECMO world? --- correct
precise answer ---1. increase FDO2
2. increase flows
3. increase hgb
how do you increase CO2 removal in the ECMO world? --- correct
precise answer ---1. increase sweep
2. increase BSA of oxy - add or change
what values does the CDI venous saturation sensor on the pump
trend? --- correct precise answer ---1. hct
2. hgb
3. SVO2
what is cavitation? --- correct precise answer ---release of gaseous
micro bubbles from a liquid
,approx -650 mmhg
dont clamp on the neg side
what is the hard pressure limit for the P art? --- correct precise
answer ---300 mmhg = high resistance
what is the delta P? --- correct precise answer ---transmembrane
pressure Ppre- Ppost
trend- should be less than 60
if increasing, clotting occurs
what is the connection order for the CRRT? --- correct precise
answer ---access- closest to the pump
return- closest to the oxygenator (neg side)
what is chattering? --- correct precise answer ---collapse of the
vein around the venous cannula due to hypovolemia
what is hemolysis, s/s, tx --- correct precise answer ---breakdown
of red blood cells
hematuria and elevated plasma free hgb
decrease RPM's, transfuse
, what do six things do you take when you travel with ECMO? ---
correct precise answer ---1. hand crank
2. clamps x 4
3. emergency meds
4. volume - albumin/ LR
5. back up O2 tank
6. battery fully charged
what do you do with ECMO during swan insertion? --- correct
precise answer ---turn down flows!!
what do you do with ecmo for echos? --- correct precise answer ---
decrease flow to 2 lpm
list 10 safety checks that need performed q4h --- correct precise
answer ---1. verify all electrical cords are plugged into the red
outlet
2. verify wall oxygen and medical air blender is plugged into wall
3. ensure there is at least on full O2 tank available in ECMO cart
4. ensure the gas line from blender is connected to oxygenator
5. ensure the emergency hand crank is in the ECMO pump cart
6. ensure two tubing clamps are hanging from the cart
7. ensure two 60 ml syringes are on top of cart
