FCCS Post Test Review Questions & Answers 2026
– Complete Exam Prep Guide
Most important indicator that a patient has a severe illness? - correct answers -Tachypnea
3 respiratory types, and their criteria - correct answers -Hypoxemic (PaO2 <50-60)
Hypercapnic (PaCO2 >50, pH <7.36)
Mixed
Delta gap (formula, when and why it's used) - correct answers -Difference in AG from normal -
Difference in HCO3 from normal
In AG metabolic acidosis it's used. It tells you if there's underlying metabolic alkalosis or respiratory
acidosis with bicarb compensation IN ADDITION to the AG metabolic acidosis. Both of those would result
in a high bicarb to begin with, and a smaller change in bicarb from normal.
Winter's formula (equation, what it measures) - correct answers -1.5[HCO3] + 8 +/- 2
If compensation is adequate in acid/base issues
How AG changes with albumin changes - correct answers -Decreases 2.5-3 for every 1 decrease in
albumin
Hemodynamic changes after intubation - correct answers -Hypo/hypertension
Arrhythmia
1
, Tachycardia
Pressure support equation for BiPAP - correct answers -IPAP - EPAP
3 types of vent cycles - correct answers -Volume (preset tidal volume, relieves WOB the most)
Time (constant pressure of time)
Flow (constant pressure until inspiratory flow is below 25% of peak)
Goal tidal volume - correct answers -10 cc/kg
Goal FiO2 on vent - correct answers -Start at 1.0, then decrease as SpO2 tolerates (goal of 92-94
saturation)
Ppeak - correct answers -Peak inspiratory pressure
Pplat (try to keep it below ?) - correct answers -Inspiratory plateau pressure (shows alveolar distention)
30
AutoPEEP (what it is, what it causes, how to fix it) - correct answers -Breath stacking
Decreases preload to the heart with positive pressure on the lungs --> hypotension
Decrease RR, decrease inspiration time (goal is to have more time for the lungs to exhale)
Danger of increased PEEP - correct answers -Increases autoPEEP, increases Pplat
2
– Complete Exam Prep Guide
Most important indicator that a patient has a severe illness? - correct answers -Tachypnea
3 respiratory types, and their criteria - correct answers -Hypoxemic (PaO2 <50-60)
Hypercapnic (PaCO2 >50, pH <7.36)
Mixed
Delta gap (formula, when and why it's used) - correct answers -Difference in AG from normal -
Difference in HCO3 from normal
In AG metabolic acidosis it's used. It tells you if there's underlying metabolic alkalosis or respiratory
acidosis with bicarb compensation IN ADDITION to the AG metabolic acidosis. Both of those would result
in a high bicarb to begin with, and a smaller change in bicarb from normal.
Winter's formula (equation, what it measures) - correct answers -1.5[HCO3] + 8 +/- 2
If compensation is adequate in acid/base issues
How AG changes with albumin changes - correct answers -Decreases 2.5-3 for every 1 decrease in
albumin
Hemodynamic changes after intubation - correct answers -Hypo/hypertension
Arrhythmia
1
, Tachycardia
Pressure support equation for BiPAP - correct answers -IPAP - EPAP
3 types of vent cycles - correct answers -Volume (preset tidal volume, relieves WOB the most)
Time (constant pressure of time)
Flow (constant pressure until inspiratory flow is below 25% of peak)
Goal tidal volume - correct answers -10 cc/kg
Goal FiO2 on vent - correct answers -Start at 1.0, then decrease as SpO2 tolerates (goal of 92-94
saturation)
Ppeak - correct answers -Peak inspiratory pressure
Pplat (try to keep it below ?) - correct answers -Inspiratory plateau pressure (shows alveolar distention)
30
AutoPEEP (what it is, what it causes, how to fix it) - correct answers -Breath stacking
Decreases preload to the heart with positive pressure on the lungs --> hypotension
Decrease RR, decrease inspiration time (goal is to have more time for the lungs to exhale)
Danger of increased PEEP - correct answers -Increases autoPEEP, increases Pplat
2
