ACCUPLACER READING
COMPREHENSION FINAL PAPER 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Fetal hgb vs adult.
Answer: Greater affinity for oxygen than adult so aids in transfer of
oxygen from maternal blood to fetal blood in placenta
⩥ What is permissive hypercapnia and why do we do it?.
Answer: Those receiving assisted ventilators support are allowed to have
slightly higher CO2 levels
To increase resp drive, shorter duration of vent, decreased lung trauma
from less aggressive settings
⩥ What is a potential harm associated with permissive hypercapnia?.
Answer: Increased cerebral blood flow —> increased risk of IVH
⩥ Why does lactic acidosis occur? Effects?.
Answer: Secondary to tissue hypoperfusion from hypoxia, sepsis...
decreases cardiac contractility and worsens tissue perfusion
,⩥ Treatments of lactic acidosis.
Answer: Sodium bicarb and tromethamine (THAM)
⩥ Risks associated with bicarb tx for acidosis.
Answer: Decreased K & Ca
Increased Na
Increased PCO2
⩥ Risks associated with THAM tx for acidosis? Positive?.
Answer: High K
Low BG
Hepatic necrosis
Should raise pH without producing excess CO2
⩥ What is a neutral thermal environment?.
Answer: Environmental temp at which the baby must expend the least
energy to maintain its proper temperature ie where oxygen consumption
and caloric utilization are lowest
⩥ What are the types of heat transfer in neonates?.
, Answer: Radiation-not in contact, eg by a window
Convection-transfer of heat to the air around and across infants body eg
isolette
Conduction-in contact, eg cold scale
Evaporation-moisture evaporates eg when wet
⩥ What is non-shivering thermogenesis? How does it occur?.
Answer: The oxidation of brown fat to create heat
Posterior hypothalamus responds to cold temp by triggering adrenal
glands to release norepi & pituitary gland to release thyroxine which
stimulate NST
⩥ When does brown adipose production begin?.
Answer: Around 26-28 week's gestation, continues to 3-5 weeks post
delivery
⩥ What can rapid rewarming cause?.
Answer: Apnea or hypotension
⩥ Why are premature infants more susceptible to hypothermia? Ways to
prevent?.
Answer: Decreased SQ fat and brown fat
Immature skin that isn't keratinized so more permeable to evaporative
loss
COMPREHENSION FINAL PAPER 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Fetal hgb vs adult.
Answer: Greater affinity for oxygen than adult so aids in transfer of
oxygen from maternal blood to fetal blood in placenta
⩥ What is permissive hypercapnia and why do we do it?.
Answer: Those receiving assisted ventilators support are allowed to have
slightly higher CO2 levels
To increase resp drive, shorter duration of vent, decreased lung trauma
from less aggressive settings
⩥ What is a potential harm associated with permissive hypercapnia?.
Answer: Increased cerebral blood flow —> increased risk of IVH
⩥ Why does lactic acidosis occur? Effects?.
Answer: Secondary to tissue hypoperfusion from hypoxia, sepsis...
decreases cardiac contractility and worsens tissue perfusion
,⩥ Treatments of lactic acidosis.
Answer: Sodium bicarb and tromethamine (THAM)
⩥ Risks associated with bicarb tx for acidosis.
Answer: Decreased K & Ca
Increased Na
Increased PCO2
⩥ Risks associated with THAM tx for acidosis? Positive?.
Answer: High K
Low BG
Hepatic necrosis
Should raise pH without producing excess CO2
⩥ What is a neutral thermal environment?.
Answer: Environmental temp at which the baby must expend the least
energy to maintain its proper temperature ie where oxygen consumption
and caloric utilization are lowest
⩥ What are the types of heat transfer in neonates?.
, Answer: Radiation-not in contact, eg by a window
Convection-transfer of heat to the air around and across infants body eg
isolette
Conduction-in contact, eg cold scale
Evaporation-moisture evaporates eg when wet
⩥ What is non-shivering thermogenesis? How does it occur?.
Answer: The oxidation of brown fat to create heat
Posterior hypothalamus responds to cold temp by triggering adrenal
glands to release norepi & pituitary gland to release thyroxine which
stimulate NST
⩥ When does brown adipose production begin?.
Answer: Around 26-28 week's gestation, continues to 3-5 weeks post
delivery
⩥ What can rapid rewarming cause?.
Answer: Apnea or hypotension
⩥ Why are premature infants more susceptible to hypothermia? Ways to
prevent?.
Answer: Decreased SQ fat and brown fat
Immature skin that isn't keratinized so more permeable to evaporative
loss
