Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) Practice Exam
Questions& Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Computer Science Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which airway intervention is MOST appropriate for a trauma
patient with suspected basilar skull fracture?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Head-tilt chin-lift
C. Oropharyngeal airway
D. Blind nasotracheal intubation
Answer: C
NPAs and blind nasotracheal intubation are contraindicated with
basilar skull fractures due to risk of intracranial placement.
2. A neonate in transport becomes hypothermic. Which effect is
expected?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Increased surfactant production
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Decreased oxygen consumption
Answer: C
Cold stress increases oxygen demand, leading to anaerobic
metabolism and acidosis.
3. During interfacility transport, a patient on nitric oxide therapy
develops methemoglobinemia. Which sign is expected?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Hypotension
,C. Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen
D. Tachypnea
Answer: C
Methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen, so cyanosis persists despite
high FiO₂.
4. A ventilated patient suddenly becomes hypotensive and
tachycardic during transport. What is the PRIORITY?
A. Check IV lines
B. Decrease FiO₂
C. Assess for tension pneumothorax
D. Administer sedation
Answer: C
Sudden hemodynamic collapse in ventilated patients strongly
suggests tension pneumothorax.
5. What is the MOST accurate indicator of perfusion during
transport?
A. Skin temperature
B. Pulse pressure
C. Level of consciousness
D. Urine color
Answer: C
LOC changes rapidly in response to impaired cerebral perfusion.
6. A transport nurse notices that the ventilator inspiratory pressure
is rising. What is the likely cause?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Hypovolemia
C. Decreased lung compliance
D. Increased sedation
Answer: C
Higher airway pressures indicate stiff lungs—ARDS, pneumothorax,
secretions, or bronchospasm.
7. Which patient is at highest risk for barotrauma during air
transport?
A. Ventilated patient on PRVC
B. Patient with COPD and blebs
C. Pediatric seizure patient
D. Burn patient
Answer: B
Obstructive lung disease with blebs increases risk of air trapping and
rupture with altitude.
8. During transport, a patient receiving a blood transfusion
develops back pain and hypotension. Which reaction is suspected?
A. Febrile non-hemolytic
B. Anaphylactic
C. Acute hemolytic reaction
D. TRALI
Answer: C
Back/flank pain, fever, and hypotension indicate hemolysis.
9. What oxygen delivery device provides the MOST reliable FiO₂ for
transport?
, A. Simple mask
B. Non-rebreather
C. Nasal cannula
D. Ventilator via ETT
Answer: D
An ETT with mechanical ventilation supports a fixed, measurable
FiO₂.
10. Boyle’s law is MOST important during air transport because it
explains what?
A. Heat transfer
B. Gas diffusion
C. Gas expansion at altitude
D. Pressure-volume flow
Answer: C
Boyle’s law: as pressure decreases, gas volume expands—critical in
air transport.
11. A pediatric patient on high-flow nasal cannula deteriorates.
What is the FIRST step?
A. Increase flow
B. Give bronchodilator
C. Prepare for intubation
D. Add sedation
Answer: C
Failure on HFNC indicates need for definitive airway.
12. Which finding indicates need to abort transport and divert to
nearest facility?
Questions& Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations for
Computer Science Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which airway intervention is MOST appropriate for a trauma
patient with suspected basilar skull fracture?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Head-tilt chin-lift
C. Oropharyngeal airway
D. Blind nasotracheal intubation
Answer: C
NPAs and blind nasotracheal intubation are contraindicated with
basilar skull fractures due to risk of intracranial placement.
2. A neonate in transport becomes hypothermic. Which effect is
expected?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Increased surfactant production
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Decreased oxygen consumption
Answer: C
Cold stress increases oxygen demand, leading to anaerobic
metabolism and acidosis.
3. During interfacility transport, a patient on nitric oxide therapy
develops methemoglobinemia. Which sign is expected?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Hypotension
,C. Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen
D. Tachypnea
Answer: C
Methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen, so cyanosis persists despite
high FiO₂.
4. A ventilated patient suddenly becomes hypotensive and
tachycardic during transport. What is the PRIORITY?
A. Check IV lines
B. Decrease FiO₂
C. Assess for tension pneumothorax
D. Administer sedation
Answer: C
Sudden hemodynamic collapse in ventilated patients strongly
suggests tension pneumothorax.
5. What is the MOST accurate indicator of perfusion during
transport?
A. Skin temperature
B. Pulse pressure
C. Level of consciousness
D. Urine color
Answer: C
LOC changes rapidly in response to impaired cerebral perfusion.
6. A transport nurse notices that the ventilator inspiratory pressure
is rising. What is the likely cause?
,A. Hypothermia
B. Hypovolemia
C. Decreased lung compliance
D. Increased sedation
Answer: C
Higher airway pressures indicate stiff lungs—ARDS, pneumothorax,
secretions, or bronchospasm.
7. Which patient is at highest risk for barotrauma during air
transport?
A. Ventilated patient on PRVC
B. Patient with COPD and blebs
C. Pediatric seizure patient
D. Burn patient
Answer: B
Obstructive lung disease with blebs increases risk of air trapping and
rupture with altitude.
8. During transport, a patient receiving a blood transfusion
develops back pain and hypotension. Which reaction is suspected?
A. Febrile non-hemolytic
B. Anaphylactic
C. Acute hemolytic reaction
D. TRALI
Answer: C
Back/flank pain, fever, and hypotension indicate hemolysis.
9. What oxygen delivery device provides the MOST reliable FiO₂ for
transport?
, A. Simple mask
B. Non-rebreather
C. Nasal cannula
D. Ventilator via ETT
Answer: D
An ETT with mechanical ventilation supports a fixed, measurable
FiO₂.
10. Boyle’s law is MOST important during air transport because it
explains what?
A. Heat transfer
B. Gas diffusion
C. Gas expansion at altitude
D. Pressure-volume flow
Answer: C
Boyle’s law: as pressure decreases, gas volume expands—critical in
air transport.
11. A pediatric patient on high-flow nasal cannula deteriorates.
What is the FIRST step?
A. Increase flow
B. Give bronchodilator
C. Prepare for intubation
D. Add sedation
Answer: C
Failure on HFNC indicates need for definitive airway.
12. Which finding indicates need to abort transport and divert to
nearest facility?
