Air Methods Critical Care Exam (Actual
2026/2027) – 199 Questions and Verified
Answers
AIR METHODS CRITICAL CARE EXAM (2025/2026)
200 Questions & Verified Answers
Format: Multiple Choice
Passing Score: 85%
Time Limit: 3 hours
Section 1: Airway Management (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the most reliable method of confirming and monitoring correct
placement of an endotracheal tube?
A) Auscultation of bilateral breath sounds
B) Chest X-ray
C) Continuous waveform capnography
D) Pulse oximetry
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuous waveform capnography is the gold standard for
confirming ET tube placement and provides immediate feedback on tube
dislodgement or obstruction. Colorimetric devices are not reliable for
continuous monitoring .
2. The upper airway consists of which structures?
A) Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles
B) Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
C) Alveoli and alveolar sacs
D) Epiglottis only
,Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway extends from the nares to the larynx. These
structures warm, humidify, and filter air before it reaches the lower airway .
3. No gas exchange occurs from the nose to the terminal bronchioles. This
area is called:
A) Alveolar dead space
B) Physiological dead space
C) Anatomical dead space
D) Shunt space
Answer: C
*Rationale: Anatomical dead space is approximately 2 mL/kg of ideal body
weight. These airways conduct airflow but do not participate in gas
exchange .*
4. The cricothyroid membrane is located between which structures?
A) Thyroid and cricoid cartilage
B) Cricoid and tracheal rings
C) Epiglottis and thyroid
D) Arytenoids and epiglottis
Answer: A
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane is an avascular structure that
connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. It is the site of an emergency
cricothyrotomy when a patient cannot be intubated or ventilated .
5. A patient presents with tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side,
decreased breath sounds, and hyperresonance to percussion. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A) Simple pneumothorax
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemothorax
D) Pleural effusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes air trapping in the pleural space,
,shifting the mediastinum and trachea away from the affected side. This is a
life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression .
6. Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) is primarily indicated for:
A) Routine airway management in stable patients
B) Uncontrolled airway with risk of aspiration
C) Elective surgery preparation
D) Patients with a GCS of 15
Answer: B
Rationale: RSI is used to secure the airway quickly in patients at high risk of
aspiration (e.g., full stomach, GI bleed, trauma) by administering a sedative
and neuromuscular blocking agent in rapid succession .
7. What is the recommended induction agent of choice for a patient with
bronchospasm or reactive airway disease?
A) Propofol
B) Etomidate
C) Ketamine
D) Midazolam
Answer: C
*Rationale: Ketamine has bronchodilatory properties due to its
sympathomimetic effects, making it the preferred induction agent in
patients with asthma or COPD. Dose: 1-2 mg/kg IV .*
8. A patient fails oxygenation after intubation. End-tidal CO2 is 0 mmHg.
What should you suspect?
A) Mainstem bronchus intubation
B) Esophageal intubation
C) Cuff leak
D) Bronchospasm
Answer: B
Rationale: An ETCO2 of 0 mmHg after intubation indicates esophageal
intubation until proven otherwise. Immediate reintubation is required .
, 9. What is the normal PaCO2 range?
A) 25-35 mmHg
B) 35-45 mmHg
C) 45-55 mmHg
D) 55-65 mmHg
Answer: B
*Rationale: Normal PaCO2 is 35-45 mmHg. A PaCO2 less than 35 indicates
hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis), while greater than 45 indicates
hypoventilation (respiratory acidosis) .*
10. A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated PaCO2 is the defining feature of respiratory acidosis.
Causes include hypoventilation, COPD exacerbation, opioid overdose, and
neuromuscular weakness .
11. What is the adult endotracheal tube depth of insertion (at teeth)?
A) 3 x ETT size (e.g., 7.0 ETT → 21 cm)
B) 5 x ETT size
C) 10 + age in years
D) 6 + weight in kg
Answer: A
*Rationale: The formula "3 x ETT size" or average 21-23 cm at the teeth for
adults (size 7.0-8.0) ensures proper placement above the carina .*
12. Pediatric ETT depth (at teeth) is calculated by:
A) 3 x ETT size
B) 10 + age in years (cm)
C) Weight in kg x 2
D) 5 + age in years
2026/2027) – 199 Questions and Verified
Answers
AIR METHODS CRITICAL CARE EXAM (2025/2026)
200 Questions & Verified Answers
Format: Multiple Choice
Passing Score: 85%
Time Limit: 3 hours
Section 1: Airway Management (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the most reliable method of confirming and monitoring correct
placement of an endotracheal tube?
A) Auscultation of bilateral breath sounds
B) Chest X-ray
C) Continuous waveform capnography
D) Pulse oximetry
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuous waveform capnography is the gold standard for
confirming ET tube placement and provides immediate feedback on tube
dislodgement or obstruction. Colorimetric devices are not reliable for
continuous monitoring .
2. The upper airway consists of which structures?
A) Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles
B) Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
C) Alveoli and alveolar sacs
D) Epiglottis only
,Answer: B
Rationale: The upper airway extends from the nares to the larynx. These
structures warm, humidify, and filter air before it reaches the lower airway .
3. No gas exchange occurs from the nose to the terminal bronchioles. This
area is called:
A) Alveolar dead space
B) Physiological dead space
C) Anatomical dead space
D) Shunt space
Answer: C
*Rationale: Anatomical dead space is approximately 2 mL/kg of ideal body
weight. These airways conduct airflow but do not participate in gas
exchange .*
4. The cricothyroid membrane is located between which structures?
A) Thyroid and cricoid cartilage
B) Cricoid and tracheal rings
C) Epiglottis and thyroid
D) Arytenoids and epiglottis
Answer: A
Rationale: The cricothyroid membrane is an avascular structure that
connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. It is the site of an emergency
cricothyrotomy when a patient cannot be intubated or ventilated .
5. A patient presents with tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side,
decreased breath sounds, and hyperresonance to percussion. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A) Simple pneumothorax
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemothorax
D) Pleural effusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes air trapping in the pleural space,
,shifting the mediastinum and trachea away from the affected side. This is a
life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression .
6. Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) is primarily indicated for:
A) Routine airway management in stable patients
B) Uncontrolled airway with risk of aspiration
C) Elective surgery preparation
D) Patients with a GCS of 15
Answer: B
Rationale: RSI is used to secure the airway quickly in patients at high risk of
aspiration (e.g., full stomach, GI bleed, trauma) by administering a sedative
and neuromuscular blocking agent in rapid succession .
7. What is the recommended induction agent of choice for a patient with
bronchospasm or reactive airway disease?
A) Propofol
B) Etomidate
C) Ketamine
D) Midazolam
Answer: C
*Rationale: Ketamine has bronchodilatory properties due to its
sympathomimetic effects, making it the preferred induction agent in
patients with asthma or COPD. Dose: 1-2 mg/kg IV .*
8. A patient fails oxygenation after intubation. End-tidal CO2 is 0 mmHg.
What should you suspect?
A) Mainstem bronchus intubation
B) Esophageal intubation
C) Cuff leak
D) Bronchospasm
Answer: B
Rationale: An ETCO2 of 0 mmHg after intubation indicates esophageal
intubation until proven otherwise. Immediate reintubation is required .
, 9. What is the normal PaCO2 range?
A) 25-35 mmHg
B) 35-45 mmHg
C) 45-55 mmHg
D) 55-65 mmHg
Answer: B
*Rationale: Normal PaCO2 is 35-45 mmHg. A PaCO2 less than 35 indicates
hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis), while greater than 45 indicates
hypoventilation (respiratory acidosis) .*
10. A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated PaCO2 is the defining feature of respiratory acidosis.
Causes include hypoventilation, COPD exacerbation, opioid overdose, and
neuromuscular weakness .
11. What is the adult endotracheal tube depth of insertion (at teeth)?
A) 3 x ETT size (e.g., 7.0 ETT → 21 cm)
B) 5 x ETT size
C) 10 + age in years
D) 6 + weight in kg
Answer: A
*Rationale: The formula "3 x ETT size" or average 21-23 cm at the teeth for
adults (size 7.0-8.0) ensures proper placement above the carina .*
12. Pediatric ETT depth (at teeth) is calculated by:
A) 3 x ETT size
B) 10 + age in years (cm)
C) Weight in kg x 2
D) 5 + age in years
