AIR EVAC CAPNOGRAPHY – 100
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (2026 EDITION)
1–20: Capnography Fundamentals
1. What does capnography primarily measure during patient ventilation?
A. O₂ saturation
B. Lung compliance
C. Exhaled CO₂ concentration ✓
D. Pulmonary perfusion
2. The waveform display on a capnograph is known as the:
A. Photoplethysmogram
B. Capnogram ✓
C. Spirogram
D. Flow loop
3. The normal ETCO₂ range for adults is:
A. 10–20 mmHg
B. 20–30 mmHg
C. 35–45 mmHg ✓
D. 50–60 mmHg
4. Capnography provides a real-time assessment of:
A. Perfusion
B. Metabolism
C. Ventilation
D. All of the above ✓
5. Which phase of the capnogram represents alveolar emptying?
A. Phase I
B. Phase II
C. Phase III ✓
D. Phase 0
6. The highest point on the capnogram represents:
A. Inspiratory baseline
, B. Upper plateau
C. EtCO₂ value ✓
D. Dead space ventilation
7. A sudden drop in ETCO₂ during flight most commonly indicates:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Loss of airway/ETT displacement ✓
C. Bronchospasm
D. Hypothermia
8. The term “capnometry” refers to:
A. Waveform analysis
B. Numeric CO₂ value only ✓
C. Alveolar recruitment
D. Respiratory assessment
9. What color change indicates CO₂ presence on a colorimetric detector?
A. Yellow ✓
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Red
10. A “shark-fin” waveform is most associated with:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Bronchospasm ✓
C. Apnea
D. Hypothermia
11. Which device provides the most accurate continuous CO₂ reading?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Colorimetric indicator
C. Mainstream capnograph ✓
D. Bag valve mask
12. Capnography is required for all transported ventilated patients because it:
A. Measures heart rate
B. Confirms continuous ventilation ✓
C. Is more accurate than SpO₂
D. Detects pneumothorax
,13. During cardiac arrest, the best predictor of chest compression quality is:
A. SpO₂
B. Pulse pressure
C. ETCO₂ ✓
D. Respiratory rate
14. The gold standard for confirming ET tube placement is:
A. Chest x-ray
B. Bilateral breath sounds
C. Capnography ✓
D. Chest rise
15. A gradual rise in ETCO₂ typically indicates:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Hypoventilation ✓
C. Tube obstruction
D. Shock
16. Which environmental factor can affect capnography readings during air medical
transport?
A. Humidity ✓
B. Temperature only
C. Cabin lighting
D. Vibration alone
17. A PaCO₂–ETCO₂ gradient greater than 10 mmHg suggests:
A. Normal ventilation
B. Reduced perfusion ✓
C. Hyperventilation
D. Oxygen toxicity
18. Which ETCO₂ trend suggests impending respiratory arrest?
A. Slight increase
B. Steady plateau
C. Progressive decrease ✓
D. Oscillating pattern
19. In hypovolemic shock, ETCO₂ typically:
A. Increases
B. Remains normal
, C. Decreases ✓
D. Becomes erratic
20. A flat capnogram baseline indicates:
A. Apnea ✓
B. Hyperventilation
C. Bronchospasm
D. High perfusion
21–40: Clinical Application
21. What does a sudden rise in ETCO₂ in ROSC indicate?
A. Impending arrest
B. Hypoventilation
C. Return of spontaneous circulation ✓
D. Tube obstruction
22. High ETCO₂ with normal ventilation rate typically indicates:
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased metabolic activity ✓
C. Tube dislodgement
D. Hyperventilation
23. Capnography can detect hypoventilation:
A. Earlier than pulse oximetry ✓
B. Later than SpO₂
C. Only after cyanosis
D. Only during apnea
24. A prolonged Phase II upstroke suggests:
A. Dehydration
B. Obstructive airway disease ✓
C. Tachycardia
D. Oxygen toxicity
25. Hyperventilation results in ETCO₂:
A. Decrease ✓
B. Increase
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (2026 EDITION)
1–20: Capnography Fundamentals
1. What does capnography primarily measure during patient ventilation?
A. O₂ saturation
B. Lung compliance
C. Exhaled CO₂ concentration ✓
D. Pulmonary perfusion
2. The waveform display on a capnograph is known as the:
A. Photoplethysmogram
B. Capnogram ✓
C. Spirogram
D. Flow loop
3. The normal ETCO₂ range for adults is:
A. 10–20 mmHg
B. 20–30 mmHg
C. 35–45 mmHg ✓
D. 50–60 mmHg
4. Capnography provides a real-time assessment of:
A. Perfusion
B. Metabolism
C. Ventilation
D. All of the above ✓
5. Which phase of the capnogram represents alveolar emptying?
A. Phase I
B. Phase II
C. Phase III ✓
D. Phase 0
6. The highest point on the capnogram represents:
A. Inspiratory baseline
, B. Upper plateau
C. EtCO₂ value ✓
D. Dead space ventilation
7. A sudden drop in ETCO₂ during flight most commonly indicates:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Loss of airway/ETT displacement ✓
C. Bronchospasm
D. Hypothermia
8. The term “capnometry” refers to:
A. Waveform analysis
B. Numeric CO₂ value only ✓
C. Alveolar recruitment
D. Respiratory assessment
9. What color change indicates CO₂ presence on a colorimetric detector?
A. Yellow ✓
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Red
10. A “shark-fin” waveform is most associated with:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Bronchospasm ✓
C. Apnea
D. Hypothermia
11. Which device provides the most accurate continuous CO₂ reading?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Colorimetric indicator
C. Mainstream capnograph ✓
D. Bag valve mask
12. Capnography is required for all transported ventilated patients because it:
A. Measures heart rate
B. Confirms continuous ventilation ✓
C. Is more accurate than SpO₂
D. Detects pneumothorax
,13. During cardiac arrest, the best predictor of chest compression quality is:
A. SpO₂
B. Pulse pressure
C. ETCO₂ ✓
D. Respiratory rate
14. The gold standard for confirming ET tube placement is:
A. Chest x-ray
B. Bilateral breath sounds
C. Capnography ✓
D. Chest rise
15. A gradual rise in ETCO₂ typically indicates:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Hypoventilation ✓
C. Tube obstruction
D. Shock
16. Which environmental factor can affect capnography readings during air medical
transport?
A. Humidity ✓
B. Temperature only
C. Cabin lighting
D. Vibration alone
17. A PaCO₂–ETCO₂ gradient greater than 10 mmHg suggests:
A. Normal ventilation
B. Reduced perfusion ✓
C. Hyperventilation
D. Oxygen toxicity
18. Which ETCO₂ trend suggests impending respiratory arrest?
A. Slight increase
B. Steady plateau
C. Progressive decrease ✓
D. Oscillating pattern
19. In hypovolemic shock, ETCO₂ typically:
A. Increases
B. Remains normal
, C. Decreases ✓
D. Becomes erratic
20. A flat capnogram baseline indicates:
A. Apnea ✓
B. Hyperventilation
C. Bronchospasm
D. High perfusion
21–40: Clinical Application
21. What does a sudden rise in ETCO₂ in ROSC indicate?
A. Impending arrest
B. Hypoventilation
C. Return of spontaneous circulation ✓
D. Tube obstruction
22. High ETCO₂ with normal ventilation rate typically indicates:
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased metabolic activity ✓
C. Tube dislodgement
D. Hyperventilation
23. Capnography can detect hypoventilation:
A. Earlier than pulse oximetry ✓
B. Later than SpO₂
C. Only after cyanosis
D. Only during apnea
24. A prolonged Phase II upstroke suggests:
A. Dehydration
B. Obstructive airway disease ✓
C. Tachycardia
D. Oxygen toxicity
25. Hyperventilation results in ETCO₂:
A. Decrease ✓
B. Increase
