ICU - Fundamentals of Critical Care
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
When mechanical ventilation is indicated to a patient? -
correct answer ✅- when non-invasive modalities fail
- the patient is unable to maintain clinically acceptable CO2 levels &
acid-base status > also known as respiratory failure
What does ABGs mean? -
correct answer ✅arterial blood gases
What is included on ABGs? -
correct answer ✅pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3, and O2sat
What is the normal range for blood pH? -
correct answer ✅7.35 to 7.45
What is the normal range for PaO2? -
correct answer ✅75 to 100mmHg
What is the normal range for PaCO2? -
correct answer ✅35 to 45mmHg
,ICU - Fundamentals of Critical Care
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What is the normal range for HCO3? -
correct answer ✅22 to 26mEq/L
What happens to a not-sick person if PaCO2 is too high
(>45mmHg)? -
correct answer ✅the body compensates by increasing respiratory
rate
What happens to a patient if PaCO2 is too high (>45mmHg)?
if it's on ventilator -
correct answer ✅the nurse will need to increase the respiratory
rate on the ventilator
Why increasing the respiratory rate improves PaCO2? -
correct answer ✅because it makes the patient blow out the excess
of CO2
What happens to the blood vessels if there is too much CO2 in the
blood? -
correct answer ✅It makes the blood vessels dilate in a try to
improve O2 levels, leading to decreased BP & increased pulse
, ICU - Fundamentals of Critical Care
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What are some S&S of CO2 retention? -
correct answer ✅- fatigue
- headache
- lethargy
- confusion
- vasodilation
*The patient may panic or feel anxiety prior to the symptoms
*The pt may have fluid retention in some cases
What are some indicators of reduced perfusion to look for in
patients that are on mechanical ventilators? -
correct answer ✅- decreased capillary refill
- BP changes
- decrease output
Why suctioning is crucial for patients in mechanical ventilators? -
correct answer ✅- prevent occlusion of the airway
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
When mechanical ventilation is indicated to a patient? -
correct answer ✅- when non-invasive modalities fail
- the patient is unable to maintain clinically acceptable CO2 levels &
acid-base status > also known as respiratory failure
What does ABGs mean? -
correct answer ✅arterial blood gases
What is included on ABGs? -
correct answer ✅pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3, and O2sat
What is the normal range for blood pH? -
correct answer ✅7.35 to 7.45
What is the normal range for PaO2? -
correct answer ✅75 to 100mmHg
What is the normal range for PaCO2? -
correct answer ✅35 to 45mmHg
,ICU - Fundamentals of Critical Care
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What is the normal range for HCO3? -
correct answer ✅22 to 26mEq/L
What happens to a not-sick person if PaCO2 is too high
(>45mmHg)? -
correct answer ✅the body compensates by increasing respiratory
rate
What happens to a patient if PaCO2 is too high (>45mmHg)?
if it's on ventilator -
correct answer ✅the nurse will need to increase the respiratory
rate on the ventilator
Why increasing the respiratory rate improves PaCO2? -
correct answer ✅because it makes the patient blow out the excess
of CO2
What happens to the blood vessels if there is too much CO2 in the
blood? -
correct answer ✅It makes the blood vessels dilate in a try to
improve O2 levels, leading to decreased BP & increased pulse
, ICU - Fundamentals of Critical Care
Exam Actual Questions and Answers
2026
What are some S&S of CO2 retention? -
correct answer ✅- fatigue
- headache
- lethargy
- confusion
- vasodilation
*The patient may panic or feel anxiety prior to the symptoms
*The pt may have fluid retention in some cases
What are some indicators of reduced perfusion to look for in
patients that are on mechanical ventilators? -
correct answer ✅- decreased capillary refill
- BP changes
- decrease output
Why suctioning is crucial for patients in mechanical ventilators? -
correct answer ✅- prevent occlusion of the airway
