FCCS Pretest & Post Test Exam 2025/2026
| Actual Fundamentals of Critical Care
Support Exams with Complete Questions |
Society of Critical Care Medicine
FCCS Practice Questions
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and wheezing. The patient has a
history of COPD. Which is the most appropriate initial management?
A. Administer IV antibiotics immediately
B. Provide high-flow oxygen and nebulized bronchodilators
C. Initiate fluid resuscitation with 2 liters of normal saline
D. Prepare for immediate intubation without trial of therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute COPD exacerbation should first be managed with oxygen to maintain
saturation 88–92% and nebulized bronchodilators. Intubation is reserved for respiratory
failure not responding to therapy.
2. A patient in the ICU has a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 55 mmHg despite fluid
resuscitation. What is the next step in management?
A. Continue observation
B. Start vasopressor therapy
C. Administer IV magnesium
D. Increase oxygen flow to 15 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: MAP <65 mmHg after adequate fluid resuscitation indicates the need for
vasopressors to maintain organ perfusion.
3. Which of the following is a sign of early septic shock?
A. Hypothermia
B. Bradycardia
,C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Early septic shock typically presents with vasodilation causing warm, flushed
skin, tachycardia, and hypotension.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L. What is the
acid-base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with suspected tension
pneumothorax?
A. Obtain chest X-ray before intervention
B. Perform needle decompression immediately
C. Start broad-spectrum antibiotics
D. Administer diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency; needle
decompression should be performed immediately before imaging.
6. A patient in shock has cold, clammy skin, low BP, and rapid heart rate. What type of
shock is this?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Hypovolemic
C. Distributive
D. Obstructive
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia, hypotension, and cold,
clammy skin due to peripheral vasoconstriction.
, 7. In mechanical ventilation, which of the following reduces the risk of ventilator-induced
lung injury?
A. High tidal volume
B. Low tidal volume
C. High respiratory rate
D. Minimal PEEP
Answer: B
Rationale: Low tidal volume ventilation (6 mL/kg predicted body weight) reduces
barotrauma and ventilator-induced lung injury in ARDS patients.
8. Which is the first-line vasopressor in septic shock?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Phenylephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine is first-line due to potent alpha-adrenergic effects and less
tachyarrhythmia risk.
9. A patient presents with altered mental status, fever, and stiff neck. Which is the most
urgent next step?
A. Obtain a lumbar puncture immediately
B. Administer empiric antibiotics and supportive care
C. Order MRI of the brain
D. Start high-dose corticosteroids only
Answer: B
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires immediate empiric antibiotics;
imaging or LP can follow once stabilized.
10. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with torsades de
pointes?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
| Actual Fundamentals of Critical Care
Support Exams with Complete Questions |
Society of Critical Care Medicine
FCCS Practice Questions
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and wheezing. The patient has a
history of COPD. Which is the most appropriate initial management?
A. Administer IV antibiotics immediately
B. Provide high-flow oxygen and nebulized bronchodilators
C. Initiate fluid resuscitation with 2 liters of normal saline
D. Prepare for immediate intubation without trial of therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute COPD exacerbation should first be managed with oxygen to maintain
saturation 88–92% and nebulized bronchodilators. Intubation is reserved for respiratory
failure not responding to therapy.
2. A patient in the ICU has a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 55 mmHg despite fluid
resuscitation. What is the next step in management?
A. Continue observation
B. Start vasopressor therapy
C. Administer IV magnesium
D. Increase oxygen flow to 15 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: MAP <65 mmHg after adequate fluid resuscitation indicates the need for
vasopressors to maintain organ perfusion.
3. Which of the following is a sign of early septic shock?
A. Hypothermia
B. Bradycardia
,C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Early septic shock typically presents with vasodilation causing warm, flushed
skin, tachycardia, and hypotension.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L. What is the
acid-base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with suspected tension
pneumothorax?
A. Obtain chest X-ray before intervention
B. Perform needle decompression immediately
C. Start broad-spectrum antibiotics
D. Administer diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency; needle
decompression should be performed immediately before imaging.
6. A patient in shock has cold, clammy skin, low BP, and rapid heart rate. What type of
shock is this?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Hypovolemic
C. Distributive
D. Obstructive
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock presents with tachycardia, hypotension, and cold,
clammy skin due to peripheral vasoconstriction.
, 7. In mechanical ventilation, which of the following reduces the risk of ventilator-induced
lung injury?
A. High tidal volume
B. Low tidal volume
C. High respiratory rate
D. Minimal PEEP
Answer: B
Rationale: Low tidal volume ventilation (6 mL/kg predicted body weight) reduces
barotrauma and ventilator-induced lung injury in ARDS patients.
8. Which is the first-line vasopressor in septic shock?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Phenylephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine is first-line due to potent alpha-adrenergic effects and less
tachyarrhythmia risk.
9. A patient presents with altered mental status, fever, and stiff neck. Which is the most
urgent next step?
A. Obtain a lumbar puncture immediately
B. Administer empiric antibiotics and supportive care
C. Order MRI of the brain
D. Start high-dose corticosteroids only
Answer: B
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires immediate empiric antibiotics;
imaging or LP can follow once stabilized.
10. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with torsades de
pointes?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
