PFCCS EXAM 2026 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. In a patient presenting with confusion and respiratory distress, how would you
assess for metabolic acidosis and its implications for critical illness?
By measuring arterial blood gases and calculating the anion gap.
By assessing the patient's heart rate and blood pressure.
By relying solely on patient history.
By performing a physical examination only.
2. How to treat hypernatremia?
Treat cause, low sodium diet, diuretics, gradually lower sodium with
hypotonic sol, 0.45% NaCl, or isotonic D5W
Treat cause, bedrest, dairy products, and dialysis.
Treat cause, high sodium diet, IV push 0.9% NS.
Treat cause, dialysis, diuretics, potassium supplements.
3. In a scenario where a patient is in septic shock, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized to achieve the treatment goal?
Start antibiotic therapy
Administer intravenous fluids
Perform a CT scan
Initiate physical therapy
4. Why is it important to manage blood pressure in patients with ischemic
stroke?
, High blood pressure is beneficial for recovery in ischemic stroke.
Managing blood pressure helps to prevent further brain injury and
optimize cerebral perfusion.
Blood pressure management is irrelevant in ischemic stroke cases.
Blood pressure management only affects heart function, not brain
health.
5. In a scenario where a patient presents with signs of necrotizing fasciitis, what
should be the immediate course of action?
Administer pain relief and schedule a follow-up.
Perform an immediate surgical evaluation and intervention.
Conduct imaging studies before any intervention.
Start broad-spectrum antibiotics and monitor the patient.
6. What is a primary treatment goal for managing hyperglycemia in critically ill
patients?
To eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet.
To prevent the use of intravenous fluids.
To maintain blood glucose levels within a target range.
To increase insulin resistance.
7. What is the most common cause of shock in trauma cases?
Neurogenic shock
Obstructive shock
Hypovolemic shock
Cardiogenic shock
,8. Describe how tension pneumothorax affects respiratory function.
Tension pneumothorax results in decreased blood flow to the heart,
causing arrhythmias.
Tension pneumothorax is characterized by a buildup of carbon
dioxide in the bloodstream.
Tension pneumothorax leads to increased pressure in the pleural
space, causing lung collapse and impaired gas exchange.
Tension pneumothorax causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading
to pneumonia.
9. What is the recommended optimal plateau pressure for patients on
mechanical ventilation?
Greater than 40 cm H2O
Between 20 and 25 cm H2O
Exactly 35 cm H2O
Less than 30 cm H2O
10. In the management of patients with DKA, what is the most critical 1st step?
Starting potassium replacement ASAP to stabilize membrane
potentials irrespectively of the serum potassium level and urine
output
Starting IV fluids and expanding plasma volume ASAP to increase
GFR and the excretion of Glucose
Starting antibiotics ASAP to treat any underlying infection
Starting insulin ASAP to stop the ketogenic process
, 11. What is the primary type of fluid used in the initial management of burn
patients?
Crystalloids
Colloids
Blood products
Hypertonic saline
12. What is the recommended antibiotic for treating aspiration pneumonia?
Ciprofloxacin
Vancomycin
Clindamycin
Amoxicillin
13. All of the following can correct auto-PEEP EXCEPT.
add inspiratory pause
switch to SIMV
increase the inspiratory flow
decrease the frequency
14. What are the two primary factors that influence oxygenation in critically ill
patients?
Ventilation and perfusion
Fluid balance and electrolytes
Blood pressure and heart rate
Temperature and pH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. In a patient presenting with confusion and respiratory distress, how would you
assess for metabolic acidosis and its implications for critical illness?
By measuring arterial blood gases and calculating the anion gap.
By assessing the patient's heart rate and blood pressure.
By relying solely on patient history.
By performing a physical examination only.
2. How to treat hypernatremia?
Treat cause, low sodium diet, diuretics, gradually lower sodium with
hypotonic sol, 0.45% NaCl, or isotonic D5W
Treat cause, bedrest, dairy products, and dialysis.
Treat cause, high sodium diet, IV push 0.9% NS.
Treat cause, dialysis, diuretics, potassium supplements.
3. In a scenario where a patient is in septic shock, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized to achieve the treatment goal?
Start antibiotic therapy
Administer intravenous fluids
Perform a CT scan
Initiate physical therapy
4. Why is it important to manage blood pressure in patients with ischemic
stroke?
, High blood pressure is beneficial for recovery in ischemic stroke.
Managing blood pressure helps to prevent further brain injury and
optimize cerebral perfusion.
Blood pressure management is irrelevant in ischemic stroke cases.
Blood pressure management only affects heart function, not brain
health.
5. In a scenario where a patient presents with signs of necrotizing fasciitis, what
should be the immediate course of action?
Administer pain relief and schedule a follow-up.
Perform an immediate surgical evaluation and intervention.
Conduct imaging studies before any intervention.
Start broad-spectrum antibiotics and monitor the patient.
6. What is a primary treatment goal for managing hyperglycemia in critically ill
patients?
To eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet.
To prevent the use of intravenous fluids.
To maintain blood glucose levels within a target range.
To increase insulin resistance.
7. What is the most common cause of shock in trauma cases?
Neurogenic shock
Obstructive shock
Hypovolemic shock
Cardiogenic shock
,8. Describe how tension pneumothorax affects respiratory function.
Tension pneumothorax results in decreased blood flow to the heart,
causing arrhythmias.
Tension pneumothorax is characterized by a buildup of carbon
dioxide in the bloodstream.
Tension pneumothorax leads to increased pressure in the pleural
space, causing lung collapse and impaired gas exchange.
Tension pneumothorax causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading
to pneumonia.
9. What is the recommended optimal plateau pressure for patients on
mechanical ventilation?
Greater than 40 cm H2O
Between 20 and 25 cm H2O
Exactly 35 cm H2O
Less than 30 cm H2O
10. In the management of patients with DKA, what is the most critical 1st step?
Starting potassium replacement ASAP to stabilize membrane
potentials irrespectively of the serum potassium level and urine
output
Starting IV fluids and expanding plasma volume ASAP to increase
GFR and the excretion of Glucose
Starting antibiotics ASAP to treat any underlying infection
Starting insulin ASAP to stop the ketogenic process
, 11. What is the primary type of fluid used in the initial management of burn
patients?
Crystalloids
Colloids
Blood products
Hypertonic saline
12. What is the recommended antibiotic for treating aspiration pneumonia?
Ciprofloxacin
Vancomycin
Clindamycin
Amoxicillin
13. All of the following can correct auto-PEEP EXCEPT.
add inspiratory pause
switch to SIMV
increase the inspiratory flow
decrease the frequency
14. What are the two primary factors that influence oxygenation in critically ill
patients?
Ventilation and perfusion
Fluid balance and electrolytes
Blood pressure and heart rate
Temperature and pH
