Page | 1
FCCS 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED | WITH
EXPERT SOLUTIONS
A patient arrives in the emergency department with a respiratory
rate of 4 breaths/minute. She is not intubated. Overdose with a
centrally acting nervous system depressant is suspected. Which
of the following is the most likely finding on the initial blood gas? -
correct answer-Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure only
A patient is neurologically devastated, mechanically ventilated,
and undergoing dialysis. The neurology service says there is no
expectation of neurologic recovery or improvement. The family is
resistant to any decision regarding limiting or stopping any life-
sustaining treatment. Multiple discussions have occurred during
the past 6 weeks. Which of the following is the most appropriate
next step? - correct answer-Begin formal conflict-resolution
process
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with
shortness of breath and new-onset lower extremity edema. His
vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F); heart rate 114
beats/min; respiratory rate 28 breaths/min; blood pressure 86/62
mm Hg; and oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry,
(SpO2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred to the ICU,
, Page | 2
intubated, and a central line is placed. His hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL,
lactic acid is 4.2 mg/dL, SpO2 has improved to 98%, and central
venous oxygen saturation is (ScvO2) 43%. This Scvo2 level
indicates which of the following findings? - correct answer-
Decrease oxygen delivery and/or increased oxygen consumption
A 75-year-old patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) has a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation
and requires CPR. The patient is being ventilated at 10
breaths/min as CPR ensues. A medical student believes the
patient has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order on file. The nurse is
concerned that the patient has only 1 working IV line. Which of
the following is the most appropriate approach? - correct answer-
Ensure quantitative end-tidal CO2 monitoring during CPR
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with
shortness of breath and new-onset lower extremity edema. Vital
signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F), heart rate 114
beats/min, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, blood pressure 86/62
mm Hg, and oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry
(Spo2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred to the ICU,
intubated, and a central line is placed. Transthoracic
echocardiogram shows significantly reduced left ventricular
function. Hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic acid 4.2 mg/dL, and
central venous oxygen saturation 43%. Which of the following
interventions will significantly improve oxygen delivery? - correct
answer-Start vasopressors to increase systolic blood pressure
, Page | 3
Which of the following are expected physiologic changes during
pregnancy? - correct answer-Decreased functional residual
capacity in the third trimester
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type 2
diabetes mellitus, and smoking develops sudden-onset severe
chest pain associated with difficulty breathing and diaphoresis.
Her vital signs on arrival in the emergency department are: blood
pressure, 165/92 mm Hg; heart rate, 101 beats/min; respiratory
rate, 29 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation as measured by
pulse oximetry, 96% on room air. Which of the following ECG
findings is the most significant indicator for immediate reperfusion
in this patient? - correct answer-ST segment elevation
A 69-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after
a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He is confused and has
significant abdominal tenderness to palpation and labored
breathing. Vital signs show hypotension despite crystalloid bolus
and hypoxemia not responsive to supplemental oxygen. Which of
the following is the most appropriate induction agent for
intubation? - correct answer-Ketamine
FCCS 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED | WITH
EXPERT SOLUTIONS
A patient arrives in the emergency department with a respiratory
rate of 4 breaths/minute. She is not intubated. Overdose with a
centrally acting nervous system depressant is suspected. Which
of the following is the most likely finding on the initial blood gas? -
correct answer-Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure only
A patient is neurologically devastated, mechanically ventilated,
and undergoing dialysis. The neurology service says there is no
expectation of neurologic recovery or improvement. The family is
resistant to any decision regarding limiting or stopping any life-
sustaining treatment. Multiple discussions have occurred during
the past 6 weeks. Which of the following is the most appropriate
next step? - correct answer-Begin formal conflict-resolution
process
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with
shortness of breath and new-onset lower extremity edema. His
vital signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F); heart rate 114
beats/min; respiratory rate 28 breaths/min; blood pressure 86/62
mm Hg; and oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry,
(SpO2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred to the ICU,
, Page | 2
intubated, and a central line is placed. His hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL,
lactic acid is 4.2 mg/dL, SpO2 has improved to 98%, and central
venous oxygen saturation is (ScvO2) 43%. This Scvo2 level
indicates which of the following findings? - correct answer-
Decrease oxygen delivery and/or increased oxygen consumption
A 75-year-old patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) has a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation
and requires CPR. The patient is being ventilated at 10
breaths/min as CPR ensues. A medical student believes the
patient has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order on file. The nurse is
concerned that the patient has only 1 working IV line. Which of
the following is the most appropriate approach? - correct answer-
Ensure quantitative end-tidal CO2 monitoring during CPR
A 52-year-old man presents to the emergency department with
shortness of breath and new-onset lower extremity edema. Vital
signs are: temperature 37.0 °C (98.6 °F), heart rate 114
beats/min, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, blood pressure 86/62
mm Hg, and oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry
(Spo2) 92% on nonrebreather mask. He is transferred to the ICU,
intubated, and a central line is placed. Transthoracic
echocardiogram shows significantly reduced left ventricular
function. Hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, lactic acid 4.2 mg/dL, and
central venous oxygen saturation 43%. Which of the following
interventions will significantly improve oxygen delivery? - correct
answer-Start vasopressors to increase systolic blood pressure
, Page | 3
Which of the following are expected physiologic changes during
pregnancy? - correct answer-Decreased functional residual
capacity in the third trimester
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type 2
diabetes mellitus, and smoking develops sudden-onset severe
chest pain associated with difficulty breathing and diaphoresis.
Her vital signs on arrival in the emergency department are: blood
pressure, 165/92 mm Hg; heart rate, 101 beats/min; respiratory
rate, 29 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation as measured by
pulse oximetry, 96% on room air. Which of the following ECG
findings is the most significant indicator for immediate reperfusion
in this patient? - correct answer-ST segment elevation
A 69-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after
a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He is confused and has
significant abdominal tenderness to palpation and labored
breathing. Vital signs show hypotension despite crystalloid bolus
and hypoxemia not responsive to supplemental oxygen. Which of
the following is the most appropriate induction agent for
intubation? - correct answer-Ketamine
