FCCS POST TEST REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026!!
Most important indicator that a patient has a severe illness? - ANSWER-Tachypnea
Goal tidal volume - ANSWER-10 cc/kg
Goal FiO2 on vent - ANSWER-Start at 1.0, then decrease as SpO2 tolerates (goal of
92-94 saturation)
Ppeak - ANSWER-Peak inspiratory pressure
Pplat (try to keep it below ?) - ANSWER-Inspiratory plateau pressure (shows
alveolar distention)
30
AutoPEEP (what it is, what it causes, how to fix it) - ANSWER-Breath stacking
Decreases preload to the heart with positive pressure on the lungs --> hypotension
Decrease RR, decrease inspiration time (goal is to have more time for the lungs to
exhale)
3 respiratory types, and their criteria - ANSWER-Hypoxemic (PaO2 <50-60)
Hypercapnic (PaCO2 >50, pH <7.36)
Mixed
Delta gap (formula, when and why it's used) - ANSWER-Difference in AG from
normal - Difference in HCO3 from normal
In AG metabolic acidosis it's used. It tells you if there's underlying metabolic alkalosis
or respiratory acidosis with bicarb compensation IN ADDITION to the AG metabolic
acidosis. Both of those would result in a high bicarb to begin with, and a smaller
change in bicarb from normal.
Winter's formula (equation, what it measures) - ANSWER-1.5[HCO3] + 8 +/- 2
If compensation is adequate in acid/base issues
How AG changes with albumin changes - ANSWER-Decreases 2.5-3 for every 1
decrease in albumin
Hemodynamic changes after intubation - ANSWER-Hypo/hypertension
Arrhythmia
Tachycardia
Pressure support equation for BiPAP - ANSWER-IPAP - EPAP
3 types of vent cycles - ANSWER-Volume (preset tidal volume, relieves WOB the
most)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026!!
Most important indicator that a patient has a severe illness? - ANSWER-Tachypnea
Goal tidal volume - ANSWER-10 cc/kg
Goal FiO2 on vent - ANSWER-Start at 1.0, then decrease as SpO2 tolerates (goal of
92-94 saturation)
Ppeak - ANSWER-Peak inspiratory pressure
Pplat (try to keep it below ?) - ANSWER-Inspiratory plateau pressure (shows
alveolar distention)
30
AutoPEEP (what it is, what it causes, how to fix it) - ANSWER-Breath stacking
Decreases preload to the heart with positive pressure on the lungs --> hypotension
Decrease RR, decrease inspiration time (goal is to have more time for the lungs to
exhale)
3 respiratory types, and their criteria - ANSWER-Hypoxemic (PaO2 <50-60)
Hypercapnic (PaCO2 >50, pH <7.36)
Mixed
Delta gap (formula, when and why it's used) - ANSWER-Difference in AG from
normal - Difference in HCO3 from normal
In AG metabolic acidosis it's used. It tells you if there's underlying metabolic alkalosis
or respiratory acidosis with bicarb compensation IN ADDITION to the AG metabolic
acidosis. Both of those would result in a high bicarb to begin with, and a smaller
change in bicarb from normal.
Winter's formula (equation, what it measures) - ANSWER-1.5[HCO3] + 8 +/- 2
If compensation is adequate in acid/base issues
How AG changes with albumin changes - ANSWER-Decreases 2.5-3 for every 1
decrease in albumin
Hemodynamic changes after intubation - ANSWER-Hypo/hypertension
Arrhythmia
Tachycardia
Pressure support equation for BiPAP - ANSWER-IPAP - EPAP
3 types of vent cycles - ANSWER-Volume (preset tidal volume, relieves WOB the
most)
