HFHS Critical Care Exam 2025-2026 Most Recent
Version Comprehensive 170 Questions and
Verified Answers Accurate Solutions Already
Graded A+ Get it 100% Correct
ABG normal values - CORRECT ANSWER: pH 7.35-7.45, pO2 80-100, pCO2 35-45,
HCO3 22-26
Adenosine (Adenocard) - CORRECT ANSWER: An endogenous nucleoside that slows
conduction thru the AV node. For the treatment of stable narrow-complex paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) as well as PSVT wtih WPW. Does not convert afib,
aflutter, or VT. Extremely short half-life (less than 10 sec)
Afterload - CORRECT ANSWER: Systemic Resistance (SVR) reflects how much
vasoconstriction is going on in the body
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER:
Reduces work of breathing and O2 cost of breathing while offering the lung-protective
effects of IRV (Inverse Ratio Ventilation). Less cardiac compromise. Need for
vasopressors are less
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: An
expiratory valve allows the pt to breathe spontaneously during the prolonged periods of
elevated airway pressure.
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER:
Cannot use in pts w/increased airway resistance (asthma/COPD). Gas trapping can
result form the very short periods of exhalation. No studies have shown improved
outcome with APRV or IRV
,Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) indications - CORRECT ANSWER: For pts
with severely decreased compliance (ARDS) or unresponsive to PEEP that is > 15 cm
H2O. To reduce pulm shunt without barotrauma
Amiodarone - CORRECT ANSWER: Antiarrhythmic with effects on Na, K, Ca channels.
Sows AV conduction. Prolongs refractoriness, has vasodilatory and negative
chonotropic effects. For prevention and treatment of recurrent VFib and monomorphic
Vtach. For stable, narrow complex tachycardia. An alternative for rate control in Afib with
beta blocker is contraindicated
Anatomical location of Cardiac Assessment Landmarks - CORRECT ANSWER:
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Helps breathing w/o
controlling it. Pts fight less and does not result in resp muscle atrophy. Lets pt change
RR when CO2 levels change.
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: If insp effort exceeds
the set sensitivity, the ventilator delivers a fixed tidal volume. If the insp effort is weak,
the ventilator delivers a minimum number of breaths
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause anx
and inc work of breathing if sensitivity to the pts insp effort is too low. Can lead to
hyperventilation. Can decrease CO since every breath is a positive pressure breath.
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Indications - CORRECT ANSWER: Pts with normal resp
drive but weak resp muscles. Pts who need ventilatory support not control. Pts
emerging from anesthesia.
Atropine - CORRECT ANSWER: Anticholinergic used as preop med to reduce pulm
secretions. Enhances SA node automaticity and AV node conduction, reverses
cholinergic mediated decreases in HR, SVR, BP. Drug of choice to treat symptomatic
bradycardia. May benefit asystole and PEA. Antidote to insecticide posioning.
, Big box on ECG readings = ___ seconds? - CORRECT ANSWER: 0.20 seconds
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Non-
invasive. Increases FRC by recruiting collapsed alveoli. May be able to avoid intubation
which reduces LOS
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: 2 preset
pressures: Insp and exp. Must be able to breathe spontaneously and maintain airway.
Requires face or nasal mask
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Mask
must fit well and slight leaks will result in blasts of air into eyes. Mask may cause anx
and agitation. Cant use on someone who cannot protect their own airway (dec LOC)
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Indications - CORRECT ANSWER: OSA,
cardiogenic pulm edema (needs to be hemodynamically stable), weaning from
mechanical ventilation, terminally ill resp fail, spinal cord inj, hypercapnic hypoxemic
failure
Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER: Cerebral Cortex Motor strip: awake, lethargic,
obtunded, stuporous, normal breathing pattern, weakness/paralysis, PERRLA, specific
dysfunction r/t area injured. Diencephalon: Semi-coma to comatose, cheyne-stokes
respirations, resists movement and decorticate posturing, PERRLA, DI, and fevers.
Midbrain: Comatose, Hyperventilation that cannot be controlled, Decerebrate posturing,
eyes in midposition and unreactive to light, and ptosis.
Pons: prolonged inspiration with cluster respirations, flaccid muscles, and pinpoint non-
reactive to light pupils.
Medulla: agonal breathing, flaccid muscles, dilated unreactive pupils, absent doll's eyes,
no response to caloric stimulation, and cushing reflex.
Cardiac Index normal values - CORRECT ANSWER: 2.5-4 L/min/m2 (formula is Cardiac
output divided by Body Surface Area aka need ht and wt)
Version Comprehensive 170 Questions and
Verified Answers Accurate Solutions Already
Graded A+ Get it 100% Correct
ABG normal values - CORRECT ANSWER: pH 7.35-7.45, pO2 80-100, pCO2 35-45,
HCO3 22-26
Adenosine (Adenocard) - CORRECT ANSWER: An endogenous nucleoside that slows
conduction thru the AV node. For the treatment of stable narrow-complex paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) as well as PSVT wtih WPW. Does not convert afib,
aflutter, or VT. Extremely short half-life (less than 10 sec)
Afterload - CORRECT ANSWER: Systemic Resistance (SVR) reflects how much
vasoconstriction is going on in the body
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER:
Reduces work of breathing and O2 cost of breathing while offering the lung-protective
effects of IRV (Inverse Ratio Ventilation). Less cardiac compromise. Need for
vasopressors are less
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: An
expiratory valve allows the pt to breathe spontaneously during the prolonged periods of
elevated airway pressure.
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER:
Cannot use in pts w/increased airway resistance (asthma/COPD). Gas trapping can
result form the very short periods of exhalation. No studies have shown improved
outcome with APRV or IRV
,Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) indications - CORRECT ANSWER: For pts
with severely decreased compliance (ARDS) or unresponsive to PEEP that is > 15 cm
H2O. To reduce pulm shunt without barotrauma
Amiodarone - CORRECT ANSWER: Antiarrhythmic with effects on Na, K, Ca channels.
Sows AV conduction. Prolongs refractoriness, has vasodilatory and negative
chonotropic effects. For prevention and treatment of recurrent VFib and monomorphic
Vtach. For stable, narrow complex tachycardia. An alternative for rate control in Afib with
beta blocker is contraindicated
Anatomical location of Cardiac Assessment Landmarks - CORRECT ANSWER:
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Helps breathing w/o
controlling it. Pts fight less and does not result in resp muscle atrophy. Lets pt change
RR when CO2 levels change.
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: If insp effort exceeds
the set sensitivity, the ventilator delivers a fixed tidal volume. If the insp effort is weak,
the ventilator delivers a minimum number of breaths
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause anx
and inc work of breathing if sensitivity to the pts insp effort is too low. Can lead to
hyperventilation. Can decrease CO since every breath is a positive pressure breath.
Assist Control Ventilation (AC) Indications - CORRECT ANSWER: Pts with normal resp
drive but weak resp muscles. Pts who need ventilatory support not control. Pts
emerging from anesthesia.
Atropine - CORRECT ANSWER: Anticholinergic used as preop med to reduce pulm
secretions. Enhances SA node automaticity and AV node conduction, reverses
cholinergic mediated decreases in HR, SVR, BP. Drug of choice to treat symptomatic
bradycardia. May benefit asystole and PEA. Antidote to insecticide posioning.
, Big box on ECG readings = ___ seconds? - CORRECT ANSWER: 0.20 seconds
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Advantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Non-
invasive. Increases FRC by recruiting collapsed alveoli. May be able to avoid intubation
which reduces LOS
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Description - CORRECT ANSWER: 2 preset
pressures: Insp and exp. Must be able to breathe spontaneously and maintain airway.
Requires face or nasal mask
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Disadvantages - CORRECT ANSWER: Mask
must fit well and slight leaks will result in blasts of air into eyes. Mask may cause anx
and agitation. Cant use on someone who cannot protect their own airway (dec LOC)
BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Indications - CORRECT ANSWER: OSA,
cardiogenic pulm edema (needs to be hemodynamically stable), weaning from
mechanical ventilation, terminally ill resp fail, spinal cord inj, hypercapnic hypoxemic
failure
Brain Herniation - CORRECT ANSWER: Cerebral Cortex Motor strip: awake, lethargic,
obtunded, stuporous, normal breathing pattern, weakness/paralysis, PERRLA, specific
dysfunction r/t area injured. Diencephalon: Semi-coma to comatose, cheyne-stokes
respirations, resists movement and decorticate posturing, PERRLA, DI, and fevers.
Midbrain: Comatose, Hyperventilation that cannot be controlled, Decerebrate posturing,
eyes in midposition and unreactive to light, and ptosis.
Pons: prolonged inspiration with cluster respirations, flaccid muscles, and pinpoint non-
reactive to light pupils.
Medulla: agonal breathing, flaccid muscles, dilated unreactive pupils, absent doll's eyes,
no response to caloric stimulation, and cushing reflex.
Cardiac Index normal values - CORRECT ANSWER: 2.5-4 L/min/m2 (formula is Cardiac
output divided by Body Surface Area aka need ht and wt)
