ECMO Specialist Exam Guide Practice
Questions & Answers
EXAM
Master the high-yield topics for the ECMO Specialist certification exam with our targeted 2026 study
guide. This resource features precise practice questio ns and detailed explanations covering
cardiogenic shock (CS-MODE), VA & VV ECMO management, PAPI/CPO calculations, circuit
emergencies, and ARDS protocols— all aligned with current US guidelines. Crafted to simulate the
real exam, our material helps you consolidate critical knowledge on hemodynamics, anticoagulation,
and troubleshooting to pass with confidence. ECMO Specialist
Exam, ECMO Practice Questions, ECMO Specialist Study Guide, ECMO
Certification, Cardiogenic Shock ECMO
How to recognize cardiogenic shock? (acronym) -
✔✔ANSW✔..CSMODE
Cardiac Rhythm
SBP <90
Markers- cardiac
Output- oliguria
Drips - Inotropes/ pressers
Exam - cool, clammy, resp distress
How to diagnose shock ( acronym) - ✔✔ANSW✔..(ECLS )
ECG
Consult- surgeon
Labs- lactates, abgs etc.
Swan catheter
what is PAPI score? Formula and normal value -
✔✔ANSW✔..differentiates between the LV/RV disfunction, if low =
RV dysfunction
,PAPi= (sPAP-dPAP)/RA
it is the pa sys - the pa dyastolic / right atrial pressure- can get these
numbers from swan
normal is >1.0
Formula for cardiac power output (CPO) and normal value -
✔✔ANSW✔..CPO= MAP x CO/451
normal = 0.7 to 1 W
what are the three key measurements for cardiogenic shock? -
✔✔ANSW✔..PAPI
CPO
Lactate
what is cardiac power output? - ✔✔ANSW✔..amount of energy
available to maintain the perfusion of the vital organs in shock
what does lactate in the blood mean and normal value? -
✔✔ANSW✔..anerobic metabolism is occurring
normal is 0.9 to 1.7
what are the two goals of mechanical circulatory support? -
✔✔ANSW✔..restore adequate end organ perfusion
ventricular unloading
, how does the impella CP work as an LV vent? - ✔✔ANSW✔..drains
at LV and returns at the aortic arch
provides 3-3.5 LPM of flow
what are the 5 factors affecting pharmacokinetics with critical
illness? - ✔✔ANSW✔..1. augmented cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. volume resusitation
4. end-organ perfusion
5. altered protein binding
what is pharmacodynamics? - ✔✔ANSW✔..the bodys biological
response to the drug
what are the factors 5 affecting pharmacokinetics with ECMO? -
✔✔ANSW✔..1. augmented cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. end-organ perfusion
4. hemodilution
5. drug sequestration
which drugs should you avoid with ecmo? - ✔✔ANSW✔..benzos!!!
lipophillic and sequester in the tubing
why do we need anticoagulation on ecmo? - ✔✔ANSW✔..blood
contacts the ecmo circuit causing a sirs response and leads to:
inflammation/vasodilation
coagulation
altered fibrinolysis
Questions & Answers
EXAM
Master the high-yield topics for the ECMO Specialist certification exam with our targeted 2026 study
guide. This resource features precise practice questio ns and detailed explanations covering
cardiogenic shock (CS-MODE), VA & VV ECMO management, PAPI/CPO calculations, circuit
emergencies, and ARDS protocols— all aligned with current US guidelines. Crafted to simulate the
real exam, our material helps you consolidate critical knowledge on hemodynamics, anticoagulation,
and troubleshooting to pass with confidence. ECMO Specialist
Exam, ECMO Practice Questions, ECMO Specialist Study Guide, ECMO
Certification, Cardiogenic Shock ECMO
How to recognize cardiogenic shock? (acronym) -
✔✔ANSW✔..CSMODE
Cardiac Rhythm
SBP <90
Markers- cardiac
Output- oliguria
Drips - Inotropes/ pressers
Exam - cool, clammy, resp distress
How to diagnose shock ( acronym) - ✔✔ANSW✔..(ECLS )
ECG
Consult- surgeon
Labs- lactates, abgs etc.
Swan catheter
what is PAPI score? Formula and normal value -
✔✔ANSW✔..differentiates between the LV/RV disfunction, if low =
RV dysfunction
,PAPi= (sPAP-dPAP)/RA
it is the pa sys - the pa dyastolic / right atrial pressure- can get these
numbers from swan
normal is >1.0
Formula for cardiac power output (CPO) and normal value -
✔✔ANSW✔..CPO= MAP x CO/451
normal = 0.7 to 1 W
what are the three key measurements for cardiogenic shock? -
✔✔ANSW✔..PAPI
CPO
Lactate
what is cardiac power output? - ✔✔ANSW✔..amount of energy
available to maintain the perfusion of the vital organs in shock
what does lactate in the blood mean and normal value? -
✔✔ANSW✔..anerobic metabolism is occurring
normal is 0.9 to 1.7
what are the two goals of mechanical circulatory support? -
✔✔ANSW✔..restore adequate end organ perfusion
ventricular unloading
, how does the impella CP work as an LV vent? - ✔✔ANSW✔..drains
at LV and returns at the aortic arch
provides 3-3.5 LPM of flow
what are the 5 factors affecting pharmacokinetics with critical
illness? - ✔✔ANSW✔..1. augmented cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. volume resusitation
4. end-organ perfusion
5. altered protein binding
what is pharmacodynamics? - ✔✔ANSW✔..the bodys biological
response to the drug
what are the factors 5 affecting pharmacokinetics with ECMO? -
✔✔ANSW✔..1. augmented cardiac output
2. leaky capillaries
3. end-organ perfusion
4. hemodilution
5. drug sequestration
which drugs should you avoid with ecmo? - ✔✔ANSW✔..benzos!!!
lipophillic and sequester in the tubing
why do we need anticoagulation on ecmo? - ✔✔ANSW✔..blood
contacts the ecmo circuit causing a sirs response and leads to:
inflammation/vasodilation
coagulation
altered fibrinolysis
