Air Methods Critical Care
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What is the most reliable method for confirming and continuously monitoring
correct placement of an endotracheal (ET) tube?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Auscultation of breath sounds
D. Continuous waveform capnography
- ANSWER D. Continuous waveform capnography
2. Which of the following structures make up the upper airway?
A. Trachea, bronchi, alveoli
B. Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
C. Lungs, bronchioles, diaphragm
D. Esophagus, stomach, intestines
- ANSWER B. Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
3. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance are signs of:
A. Hemothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
,C. Flail chest
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: D. Tension pneumothorax
4. In a tension pneumothorax, tracheal deviation occurs:
A. Toward the affected side
B. Toward the midline
C. Away from the affected side
D. Inferiorly
Answer: C. Away from the affected side
5. In which part of the respiratory system does no gas exchange occur?
A. Alveoli
B. Pulmonary capillaries
C. Nose to terminal bronchioles (anatomical dead space)
D. Respiratory bronchioles
- ANSWER C. Nose to terminal bronchioles (anatomical dead space)
6. The region of the airway where no gas exchange occurs is referred to as:
A. Physiological dead space
B. Alveolar dead space
C. Anatomical dead space
D. Functional residual capacity
- ANSWER C. Anatomical dead space
7. What is the primary function of the anatomical dead space?
A. Gas exchange
B. Oxygen diffusion
C. Conducting airflow to gas-exchange units
D. Carbon dioxide removal
- ANSWER C. Conducting airflow to gas-exchange units
,8. Approximately how much of the inspired tidal volume is considered anatomical
dead space?
A. 1 mL/kg
B. 2 mL/kg
C. 5 mL/kg
D. 10 mL/kg
- ANSWER B. 2 mL/kg
9. Where is the cricothyroid membrane located?
A. Between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
B. Between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages
C. Between the cricoid cartilage and trachea
D. Between the mandible and larynx
- ANSWER B. Between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages
8. Why is the cricothyroid membrane clinically significant?
A. It is the primary site of oxygen exchange
B. It protects the vocal cords
C. It is an avascular site used for emergency cricothyrotomy
D. It connects the bronchi to the lungs
- ANSWER C. It is an avascular site used for emergency cricothyrotomy
9. A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
- ANSWER C. Respiratory acidosis
10. What is the normal arterial PaCO₂ range?
A. 25–35 mm Hg
B. 30–40 mm Hg
, C. 35–45 mm Hg
D. 45–55 mm Hg
Answer: C. 35–45 mm Hg
11. A PaCO₂ value less than 35 mm Hg most likely indicates:
A. Hypoventilation
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Hyperventilation
D. Respiratory failure
Answer: C. Hyperventilation
12. What is the normal mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP)?
A. 5–10 mm Hg
B. 10–20 mm Hg
C. 20–30 mm Hg
D. 30–40 mm Hg
Answer: B. 10–20 mm Hg
13. Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure
greater than:
A. 15 mm Hg
B. 18 mm Hg
C. 20 mm Hg
D. 25 mm Hg
Answer: C. 20 mm Hg
14. Primary pulmonary hypertension is best described as:
A. Caused by chronic lung disease
B. Due to recurrent pulmonary emboli
C. Secondary to left heart failure
D. Idiopathic genetic disorder involving abnormal pulmonary vessels
Answer: D. Idiopathic genetic disorder involving abnormal pulmonary vessels
8. Which of the following is NOT a cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension?
A. Mitral stenosis
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What is the most reliable method for confirming and continuously monitoring
correct placement of an endotracheal (ET) tube?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Auscultation of breath sounds
D. Continuous waveform capnography
- ANSWER D. Continuous waveform capnography
2. Which of the following structures make up the upper airway?
A. Trachea, bronchi, alveoli
B. Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
C. Lungs, bronchioles, diaphragm
D. Esophagus, stomach, intestines
- ANSWER B. Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
3. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side, decreased breath sounds, and
hyperresonance are signs of:
A. Hemothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
,C. Flail chest
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: D. Tension pneumothorax
4. In a tension pneumothorax, tracheal deviation occurs:
A. Toward the affected side
B. Toward the midline
C. Away from the affected side
D. Inferiorly
Answer: C. Away from the affected side
5. In which part of the respiratory system does no gas exchange occur?
A. Alveoli
B. Pulmonary capillaries
C. Nose to terminal bronchioles (anatomical dead space)
D. Respiratory bronchioles
- ANSWER C. Nose to terminal bronchioles (anatomical dead space)
6. The region of the airway where no gas exchange occurs is referred to as:
A. Physiological dead space
B. Alveolar dead space
C. Anatomical dead space
D. Functional residual capacity
- ANSWER C. Anatomical dead space
7. What is the primary function of the anatomical dead space?
A. Gas exchange
B. Oxygen diffusion
C. Conducting airflow to gas-exchange units
D. Carbon dioxide removal
- ANSWER C. Conducting airflow to gas-exchange units
,8. Approximately how much of the inspired tidal volume is considered anatomical
dead space?
A. 1 mL/kg
B. 2 mL/kg
C. 5 mL/kg
D. 10 mL/kg
- ANSWER B. 2 mL/kg
9. Where is the cricothyroid membrane located?
A. Between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
B. Between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages
C. Between the cricoid cartilage and trachea
D. Between the mandible and larynx
- ANSWER B. Between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages
8. Why is the cricothyroid membrane clinically significant?
A. It is the primary site of oxygen exchange
B. It protects the vocal cords
C. It is an avascular site used for emergency cricothyrotomy
D. It connects the bronchi to the lungs
- ANSWER C. It is an avascular site used for emergency cricothyrotomy
9. A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.
- ANSWER C. Respiratory acidosis
10. What is the normal arterial PaCO₂ range?
A. 25–35 mm Hg
B. 30–40 mm Hg
, C. 35–45 mm Hg
D. 45–55 mm Hg
Answer: C. 35–45 mm Hg
11. A PaCO₂ value less than 35 mm Hg most likely indicates:
A. Hypoventilation
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Hyperventilation
D. Respiratory failure
Answer: C. Hyperventilation
12. What is the normal mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP)?
A. 5–10 mm Hg
B. 10–20 mm Hg
C. 20–30 mm Hg
D. 30–40 mm Hg
Answer: B. 10–20 mm Hg
13. Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure
greater than:
A. 15 mm Hg
B. 18 mm Hg
C. 20 mm Hg
D. 25 mm Hg
Answer: C. 20 mm Hg
14. Primary pulmonary hypertension is best described as:
A. Caused by chronic lung disease
B. Due to recurrent pulmonary emboli
C. Secondary to left heart failure
D. Idiopathic genetic disorder involving abnormal pulmonary vessels
Answer: D. Idiopathic genetic disorder involving abnormal pulmonary vessels
8. Which of the following is NOT a cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension?
A. Mitral stenosis
