CRITICAL CARE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS VERIFIED UPDATED 2026-
2026
# Term Definition
1
Normal (BAR) Quiet (QAR) Dull Obtunded Stuporous
Define the levels of consciousness
Comatose
2 Define dull interactive but not bright or eager to interact
3 Define obtunded
Reacts appropriately to stimuli but at a much lower lever
or slower pace
4 Define Stuporous Reacts only to noxious stimuli
5 Define Comatose Dose not react to any stimuli
6 <5 min
In Hospital Triage should be done in
how many min
7 Rapid physical assessment ABCDE
What is the primary survey when doing
triage
8 <5%
Pt has a normal PE with a history of
fluid loss (not prolonged) what
percentage of dehydrated is the pt
9 5%
Pt has tacky or dry mm, history of fluid
loss what percentage of dehydrated is
the pt
10 7%
Pt had Dry MM, prolonged skin tent,
tachycardic, history of fluid loss
(somewhat prolonged) what
percentage of dehydrated is the pt
,11 10%
Pt has Dry MM, prolonged skin ten,
tachycardic with weak to thready pulse,
hypotension, history of fluid loss
(somewhat prolonged) what %
dehydrated is the pt
# Term Definition
12 12& or higher
Pt has Dry MM, prolonged skin ten,
tachycardic or bradycardic with weak
to absent pulse, hypotension,
decreased temp, +/cool extremities,
diminished/ abnormal mentation,
sunken eye, history of marked fluid
loss.
The pt is what % dehydrated?
13 What are clinical indications for Fluid
Maintaining hydration Replacing fluid deficit
Therapy
(dehydration) Replacing ongoing losses Treating
decreased oncotic pressure (hypoproteinemia)
Treating hypovolemia Treating shock state Improving
urine production Correcting acid-base and electrolyte
disorders
14 Total body water = 60%
15 Fluid compartments include
Intracellular (ICF) = 40% Extracellular (ECF) =
20% -Interstitial (ISF) = 15% -Intravascular (IVF) =
5%
16 Intracellular means in the cells
17 Interstitial means all tissue that is not blood vessel or cells
18 Intravascular means in blood vessels
19 Crystalloids
What is a mixture of water, glucose,
electrolytes, +/- buffers that move
freely between compartments
, 20 Hypotonic Isotonic Hypertonic
Crystalloids are divided into what 3
categories
21 Hypotonic crystalloids
Solute concentration is lower than
blood (IVF) Move rapidly into the
extravascular space Considered
"maintenance" fluids What type of
fluid:
22
Examples of hypotonic crystalloids Plasmalyte M 0.45% NaCl 5% dextrose in wate (D5W)
# Term Definition
23 Isotonic crystalloids
Solute concentration is equal to blood
considered "replacement" solutions
What type of fluid:
24 LRS Normosal R Plasmalyte A 0.9% NaCl
What are examples of isotonic
crystalloids
25 0.9% NaCl It is known as an unbalanced electrolyte
What fluid do you not want to bolus solution
because it can throw off electrolytes
26 75% interstitial and intracellular
When given IV, about ____ % of
crystalloids will move into ___ and ___
space within about 60 min
27 Why do you keep giving bolus when pts
are in shock? Because 75% of isotonic crystalloids will move into the
interstitial and intracellular space within 60 min
28 isotonic crystalloids
What fluid is great to give for replacing
interstitial fluid defects (dehydrated
patients)
ANSWERS VERIFIED UPDATED 2026-
2026
# Term Definition
1
Normal (BAR) Quiet (QAR) Dull Obtunded Stuporous
Define the levels of consciousness
Comatose
2 Define dull interactive but not bright or eager to interact
3 Define obtunded
Reacts appropriately to stimuli but at a much lower lever
or slower pace
4 Define Stuporous Reacts only to noxious stimuli
5 Define Comatose Dose not react to any stimuli
6 <5 min
In Hospital Triage should be done in
how many min
7 Rapid physical assessment ABCDE
What is the primary survey when doing
triage
8 <5%
Pt has a normal PE with a history of
fluid loss (not prolonged) what
percentage of dehydrated is the pt
9 5%
Pt has tacky or dry mm, history of fluid
loss what percentage of dehydrated is
the pt
10 7%
Pt had Dry MM, prolonged skin tent,
tachycardic, history of fluid loss
(somewhat prolonged) what
percentage of dehydrated is the pt
,11 10%
Pt has Dry MM, prolonged skin ten,
tachycardic with weak to thready pulse,
hypotension, history of fluid loss
(somewhat prolonged) what %
dehydrated is the pt
# Term Definition
12 12& or higher
Pt has Dry MM, prolonged skin ten,
tachycardic or bradycardic with weak
to absent pulse, hypotension,
decreased temp, +/cool extremities,
diminished/ abnormal mentation,
sunken eye, history of marked fluid
loss.
The pt is what % dehydrated?
13 What are clinical indications for Fluid
Maintaining hydration Replacing fluid deficit
Therapy
(dehydration) Replacing ongoing losses Treating
decreased oncotic pressure (hypoproteinemia)
Treating hypovolemia Treating shock state Improving
urine production Correcting acid-base and electrolyte
disorders
14 Total body water = 60%
15 Fluid compartments include
Intracellular (ICF) = 40% Extracellular (ECF) =
20% -Interstitial (ISF) = 15% -Intravascular (IVF) =
5%
16 Intracellular means in the cells
17 Interstitial means all tissue that is not blood vessel or cells
18 Intravascular means in blood vessels
19 Crystalloids
What is a mixture of water, glucose,
electrolytes, +/- buffers that move
freely between compartments
, 20 Hypotonic Isotonic Hypertonic
Crystalloids are divided into what 3
categories
21 Hypotonic crystalloids
Solute concentration is lower than
blood (IVF) Move rapidly into the
extravascular space Considered
"maintenance" fluids What type of
fluid:
22
Examples of hypotonic crystalloids Plasmalyte M 0.45% NaCl 5% dextrose in wate (D5W)
# Term Definition
23 Isotonic crystalloids
Solute concentration is equal to blood
considered "replacement" solutions
What type of fluid:
24 LRS Normosal R Plasmalyte A 0.9% NaCl
What are examples of isotonic
crystalloids
25 0.9% NaCl It is known as an unbalanced electrolyte
What fluid do you not want to bolus solution
because it can throw off electrolytes
26 75% interstitial and intracellular
When given IV, about ____ % of
crystalloids will move into ___ and ___
space within about 60 min
27 Why do you keep giving bolus when pts
are in shock? Because 75% of isotonic crystalloids will move into the
interstitial and intracellular space within 60 min
28 isotonic crystalloids
What fluid is great to give for replacing
interstitial fluid defects (dehydrated
patients)
