Air Methods Critical Care Exam Questions with
Answers
1.What is the most reliable method of confirming and monitoring correct
placement of an ET tube?: Continuous waveform capnography
2.The upper airway consists of...: Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity,
Pharynx, and Larynx
3.No gas exchange occurs here , it's called .:
Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of
inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
units.
4.Crycothyroid membrane: between thyroid and cricoid, avascular
structure that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of
CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emer- gency opening of the airway.
5.A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.: C. Respiratory acidosis
6.PaCO2 normal range: 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means
hyperventilation
7.Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath
sounds, and hyperresonance... What's happening?: Tension pneumothorax
8.In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?: -
AWAY from affected side.
9.Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure: 10-20 mmHg
10.Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...:
(PAm) greater than 20
11.Primary pulmonary hypertension: Idiopathic genetic disorder caused
by ab- normal structure of the pulmonary blood vessels
12.Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..: 1. Passive
PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
2.Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume in
pulmonary circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease)
3.Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
13.TNP of the Pregnant patient: Resuscitation priorities are the same.
The best way to take care of the baby is to take care of mama
14.Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of ma-
ternal injury is...: Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by
,falls, 3rd is violence
15.fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?:
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss
shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
16.Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....: Fetal tachycardia (140 to
160+) and fetal bradycardia
17.The FRC in a pregnant patient is....: Reduced by the gravid uterus
lifting the diaphragm.
18.chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher:
Because of the lifted diaphragm
19.What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?:
Hemodili- tional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
20.Preterm Labor (PTL):
21.abruptio placentae: premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall
22.On a pregnant patient...: Chest compressions must be higher on the
sternum. Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus
above the umbilicus should have the uterus left laterally displaced
during compressions to avoid aorto- caval compression. A 15 degree tilt
of the long board or lateral displacement.
23.What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index?: A valid reliable 5 level triage
tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric trauma patients.
24.Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by:
approximately 30%!
25.Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended...: for all pregnant
patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly button).
26.Fundal height measurement: equals the approximate gestational
age in weeks, until week 32.
Belly button is 20 weeks
Height of last rib is 26
weeks costal margin is 36
weeks
27.Any fundal height indicating 23 or more weeks...: at the last rib and
above is consistent with a viable fetus.
28.What type of blood should a pregnant trauma patient receive?: O-
NEG baybay.
29.Initiate cardiotocography in any mother: 20 or more weeks gestation,
must be monitored for at least 6 hours.
30.What is the serum lab test that detects fetal red cells in the maternal
,circulation?: Kleinhauer Bette KB serum test. This lab is used to
determine if hemorrhage of fetal blood through the placenta and into
maternal circulation. KB test is an important detector of abruptio
placentae, preterm labor and need to administer Rh negative globulin
when mom is Rh negative and fetus is Rh positive.
31.Continue fetal monitoring for a minimum of ---- hours for any viable preg-
nancy and up to hours if there is abdominal trauma: 6.. . .24
, 32.Sonography has for diagnosis placental abruption,:
POOR.... they miss 50-80% of abruptions.
33.In addition to routine labs a: Prothrombin (PT ) and PTT and serial
coags should be drawn. Beta Human Chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG)
34.Measure and record fundal height every: 30 minutes.
35.Pediatric Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics: Blunt trauma
MVC > suffocations > drownings > fires/burns. No. 1 cause of
fatalities is TBI.
36.Primary Survey/ Resuscitation: Survival rates in pediatric emergency
can be directly correlated with
1. RAPID AIRWAY MANAGEMENT,
2. INITIATION OF VENTILATORY SUPPORT, AND
3. EARLY RECOGNITION OF AND EARLY RESPONSE TO INTRA abdominal
AND
intracranial hemorrhages
37.A STEMI is a resulting from a .: Complete
Occlusion of a coronary artery
caused by a ruptured Plaque leading to blood clot formation in the
coronary.
38.STEMI diagnosis: Chest pain + positive cardiac enzyme0.4), and --
(TROP. > segment ELEVATIONS greater than 1 mm in two orST
more contagious V1-V6 leads
-Reciprocal (depressions) changes in leads II, III, AVF
39.STEMI
EKG findings: STEMI
40.STEMI
EKG findings more: -St elevations > 1mm in Limb leads: 1, II, III, avF, avL
-St elevations > 2mm in precordial leads (v1-
v6) AND/OR
-NEW LBBB
Contiguous leads with reciprocal changes in opposite leads
41.First degree Heart Block EKG: AV block
Prolonged PR Interval greater than 120-
200 ms
42.second degree heart block type 1 Wenkebach: AV block in which
occasional electrical impulses from the SA node fail to be conducted to
Answers
1.What is the most reliable method of confirming and monitoring correct
placement of an ET tube?: Continuous waveform capnography
2.The upper airway consists of...: Nose, Mouth, Jaw, Oral Cavity,
Pharynx, and Larynx
3.No gas exchange occurs here , it's called .:
Nose to terminal bronchioles, anatomical dead space. (2ml/kg of
inspired tidal volume) They conduct airflow towards gas exchange
units.
4.Crycothyroid membrane: between thyroid and cricoid, avascular
structure that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilage. Site of
CRiCOTHYROTOMY- an emer- gency opening of the airway.
5.A PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg indicates:
A. Metabolic acidosis.
B. Metabolic alkalosis.
C. Respiratory acidosis.
D. Respiratory alkalosis.: C. Respiratory acidosis
6.PaCO2 normal range: 35-45 mm Hg Less than 35 likely means
hyperventilation
7.Tracheal deviation AWAY from the affected side, decreased breath
sounds, and hyperresonance... What's happening?: Tension pneumothorax
8.In a tension pneumothorax tracheal deviation goes in what direction?: -
AWAY from affected side.
9.Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure: 10-20 mmHg
10.Pulmonary hypertension is a mean PA pressure greater than...:
(PAm) greater than 20
11.Primary pulmonary hypertension: Idiopathic genetic disorder caused
by ab- normal structure of the pulmonary blood vessels
12.Name three causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension..: 1. Passive
PH- the result of back pressure. Mitral Stenosis, LV systolic failure.
2.Active PH- Constriction of the pulmonary circuit Increased volume in
pulmonary circuit (i.e. congenital heart disease)
3.Obstruction as in Chronic recurrent PE
13.TNP of the Pregnant patient: Resuscitation priorities are the same.
The best way to take care of the baby is to take care of mama
14.Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics the most common cause of ma-
ternal injury is...: Blunt trauma caused by MVC. Second is BT caused by
,falls, 3rd is violence
15.fetal distress is an early sign of maternal distress... Why?:
Catecholamine mediated vasoconstriction resulting from blood loss
shunts blood away from the fetus to the mom.
16.Fetal hypo perfusion is evidenced by....: Fetal tachycardia (140 to
160+) and fetal bradycardia
17.The FRC in a pregnant patient is....: Reduced by the gravid uterus
lifting the diaphragm.
18.chest tube placement in a pregnant patient is 1-2 spaces higher:
Because of the lifted diaphragm
19.What is the cause of physiological anemia in pregnant patients?:
Hemodili- tional anemia occurs. Plasma volume increases 30-50%.
20.Preterm Labor (PTL):
21.abruptio placentae: premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall
22.On a pregnant patient...: Chest compressions must be higher on the
sternum. Any preg patient 20 weeks pregnant or more with a uterus
above the umbilicus should have the uterus left laterally displaced
during compressions to avoid aorto- caval compression. A 15 degree tilt
of the long board or lateral displacement.
23.What is the Maternal Fetal Triage Index?: A valid reliable 5 level triage
tool that may assist in the triage of obstetric trauma patients.
24.Displacing the uterus off the vena cava can improve CO by:
approximately 30%!
25.Continuous fetal monitoring is recommended...: for all pregnant
patients 20 or more weeks gestation... or (uterus above belly button).
26.Fundal height measurement: equals the approximate gestational
age in weeks, until week 32.
Belly button is 20 weeks
Height of last rib is 26
weeks costal margin is 36
weeks
27.Any fundal height indicating 23 or more weeks...: at the last rib and
above is consistent with a viable fetus.
28.What type of blood should a pregnant trauma patient receive?: O-
NEG baybay.
29.Initiate cardiotocography in any mother: 20 or more weeks gestation,
must be monitored for at least 6 hours.
30.What is the serum lab test that detects fetal red cells in the maternal
,circulation?: Kleinhauer Bette KB serum test. This lab is used to
determine if hemorrhage of fetal blood through the placenta and into
maternal circulation. KB test is an important detector of abruptio
placentae, preterm labor and need to administer Rh negative globulin
when mom is Rh negative and fetus is Rh positive.
31.Continue fetal monitoring for a minimum of ---- hours for any viable preg-
nancy and up to hours if there is abdominal trauma: 6.. . .24
, 32.Sonography has for diagnosis placental abruption,:
POOR.... they miss 50-80% of abruptions.
33.In addition to routine labs a: Prothrombin (PT ) and PTT and serial
coags should be drawn. Beta Human Chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG)
34.Measure and record fundal height every: 30 minutes.
35.Pediatric Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics: Blunt trauma
MVC > suffocations > drownings > fires/burns. No. 1 cause of
fatalities is TBI.
36.Primary Survey/ Resuscitation: Survival rates in pediatric emergency
can be directly correlated with
1. RAPID AIRWAY MANAGEMENT,
2. INITIATION OF VENTILATORY SUPPORT, AND
3. EARLY RECOGNITION OF AND EARLY RESPONSE TO INTRA abdominal
AND
intracranial hemorrhages
37.A STEMI is a resulting from a .: Complete
Occlusion of a coronary artery
caused by a ruptured Plaque leading to blood clot formation in the
coronary.
38.STEMI diagnosis: Chest pain + positive cardiac enzyme0.4), and --
(TROP. > segment ELEVATIONS greater than 1 mm in two orST
more contagious V1-V6 leads
-Reciprocal (depressions) changes in leads II, III, AVF
39.STEMI
EKG findings: STEMI
40.STEMI
EKG findings more: -St elevations > 1mm in Limb leads: 1, II, III, avF, avL
-St elevations > 2mm in precordial leads (v1-
v6) AND/OR
-NEW LBBB
Contiguous leads with reciprocal changes in opposite leads
41.First degree Heart Block EKG: AV block
Prolonged PR Interval greater than 120-
200 ms
42.second degree heart block type 1 Wenkebach: AV block in which
occasional electrical impulses from the SA node fail to be conducted to
