Page 1 of 18
Fundamentals of Critical Care TEST EXAM NEWEST
VERSION ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH LATEST UPDATE JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR
Question: A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his SpO2 is
dropping. You place him on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2, yet his SpO2 remains at 80%.
Why is it not being corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is unavailable, what is your next
best choice for an airway? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The pt is having apneic episodes, which
means that administering high-flow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
Question: What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔Targeted temperature management.
32-36 C
, Page 2 of 18
Question: A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process is an
example of a shunt? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Pneumonia
Question: Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure --> mixed
Question: A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids, bronchodilators,
etc. with no improvement. PCO2 is in the 90s, pH is 7.20. You decide to intubate. Vent settings
are: VT 375, RR 20, FiO2 .35, PEEP 5. CXR is normal. A few minutes later, his BP drops to 70/40.
Lungs are clear/equal. Vent shows peak airway pressure of 55 (high) and plateau pressure of 15.
End expiratory hold gives auto-peep of 15.
What is the cause of this pt's HoTN and why? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Auto-peep is the cause.
COPD pts have difficulty exhaling --> pressure buildup in alveoli.
, Page 3 of 18
We use PEEP for the pressure and to improve oxygenation. Auto-peep comes from breath-
stacking --> intrinsic peep. Alveoli enlarge --> high peak airway pressure. All leads to low venous
return --> low CO --> HoTN
Q:What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
Question: A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's tachycardic
and tachypneic. On physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during
inspiration), and HoTN (80/40) with distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to
auscultation. What is the dx? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Cardiac tamponade; obstructive shock
Question: If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their airway? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Difficult airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
Question: A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and
unresponsive. How would you ventilate this pt? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔BVM
Fundamentals of Critical Care TEST EXAM NEWEST
VERSION ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH LATEST UPDATE JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR
Question: A pt is admitted after an OD. He starts to have apneic episodes and his SpO2 is
dropping. You place him on a non-rebreather mask w/ 100% O2, yet his SpO2 remains at 80%.
Why is it not being corrected?
Then, if you try a BVM and it also fails, and video laryngoscopy is unavailable, what is your next
best choice for an airway? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔The pt is having apneic episodes, which
means that administering high-flow O2 will be ineffective.
Choose an LMA if the BVM fails.
Question: What intervention improves outcomes with ROSC after cardiac arrest? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔Targeted temperature management.
32-36 C
, Page 2 of 18
Question: A shunt means there is perfusion without ventilation. What disease process is an
example of a shunt? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Pneumonia
Question: Which type of respiratory failure occurs with CNS depression after an OD? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure --> mixed
Question: A 50 y/o pt is having a COPD exacerbation. You have tried steroids, bronchodilators,
etc. with no improvement. PCO2 is in the 90s, pH is 7.20. You decide to intubate. Vent settings
are: VT 375, RR 20, FiO2 .35, PEEP 5. CXR is normal. A few minutes later, his BP drops to 70/40.
Lungs are clear/equal. Vent shows peak airway pressure of 55 (high) and plateau pressure of 15.
End expiratory hold gives auto-peep of 15.
What is the cause of this pt's HoTN and why? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Auto-peep is the cause.
COPD pts have difficulty exhaling --> pressure buildup in alveoli.
, Page 3 of 18
We use PEEP for the pressure and to improve oxygenation. Auto-peep comes from breath-
stacking --> intrinsic peep. Alveoli enlarge --> high peak airway pressure. All leads to low venous
return --> low CO --> HoTN
Q:What is the most important sign in a critically ill pt? Why? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Tachypnea
Indicates metabolic acidosis w/ respiratory alkalosis compensation
Question: A pt misses dialysis for a few days and comes in with fluid overload. He's tachycardic
and tachypneic. On physical exam, you find JVD, pulsus paradoxus (20 mmHg drop during
inspiration), and HoTN (80/40) with distant, muffled heart sounds. Lungs are clear to
auscultation. What is the dx? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Cardiac tamponade; obstructive shock
Question: If a pt has a thyromental distance of 2 cm, what can you expect about their airway? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Difficult airway w/ an anteriorly displaced larynx
Question: A COPD pt comes in with difficulty breathing. He then becomes apneic and
unresponsive. How would you ventilate this pt? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔BVM
