Page 1 of 29
ECMO SPECIALIST 2026 EXAM COMPLETE
(101) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS|GUARANTEED PASS.
ECMO
Prepare for the ECMO Specialist Exam with this concise
study resource covering extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation principles, patient management, circuit
setup, troubleshooting, and emergency procedures. It
reinforces key concepts aligned with certification
standards for ECMO specialists. Suitable for healthcare
professionals working in critical care, perfusion, and
cardiopulmonary support.
what are the 3 C's of oxygenator failure? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER
....... Call MD and notify of failure
Compensate for oxy failure by increasing inotropes and
giving rescue vent
Circuit management- change out oxygenator or whole circuit
, Page 2 of 29
what are possible causes for low flows on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ......
ANSWER ....... inadequate volume- chattering
large clot in oxy
cannula positioning, kinking
patient coughing or straining
tension pneumo or hemo
cardiac tamponade
significant elevation of patients SBP
how to treat low flows on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER .......
correct hypovolemia- albumin, LR, prbc
correct cannula malposition
treat other underlying causes
what are possible causes of hypoxia on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ......
ANSWER ....... decrease in ecmo flows or fd02
oxy failure
disconnected gas line
hyperdynamic heart on VV
recirculation on VV
, Page 3 of 29
N/S on VA
how to treat hypoxia on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER .......
increasing ecmo flows
PRBC transfusions
adding additional cannulas
cooling pt to 35 degrees
what are some causes of worsening hypercarbia on ecmo?
✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER ....... decreased gas flow or
disconnected gas line
oxy failure
condensation in oxy - sneeze more often
what are treatments for worsening hypercarbia on ecmo? ✓
✓ ...... ANSWER ....... ensure ecmo flow is adequate, gas
line connected, oxy is working
consider increasing sweep
sedating/paralyzing pt
cooling to 35 degrees
ECMO SPECIALIST 2026 EXAM COMPLETE
(101) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS|GUARANTEED PASS.
ECMO
Prepare for the ECMO Specialist Exam with this concise
study resource covering extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation principles, patient management, circuit
setup, troubleshooting, and emergency procedures. It
reinforces key concepts aligned with certification
standards for ECMO specialists. Suitable for healthcare
professionals working in critical care, perfusion, and
cardiopulmonary support.
what are the 3 C's of oxygenator failure? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER
....... Call MD and notify of failure
Compensate for oxy failure by increasing inotropes and
giving rescue vent
Circuit management- change out oxygenator or whole circuit
, Page 2 of 29
what are possible causes for low flows on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ......
ANSWER ....... inadequate volume- chattering
large clot in oxy
cannula positioning, kinking
patient coughing or straining
tension pneumo or hemo
cardiac tamponade
significant elevation of patients SBP
how to treat low flows on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER .......
correct hypovolemia- albumin, LR, prbc
correct cannula malposition
treat other underlying causes
what are possible causes of hypoxia on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ......
ANSWER ....... decrease in ecmo flows or fd02
oxy failure
disconnected gas line
hyperdynamic heart on VV
recirculation on VV
, Page 3 of 29
N/S on VA
how to treat hypoxia on ecmo? ✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER .......
increasing ecmo flows
PRBC transfusions
adding additional cannulas
cooling pt to 35 degrees
what are some causes of worsening hypercarbia on ecmo?
✓ ✓ ...... ANSWER ....... decreased gas flow or
disconnected gas line
oxy failure
condensation in oxy - sneeze more often
what are treatments for worsening hypercarbia on ecmo? ✓
✓ ...... ANSWER ....... ensure ecmo flow is adequate, gas
line connected, oxy is working
consider increasing sweep
sedating/paralyzing pt
cooling to 35 degrees
