FCCS Post Test Review Questions Answered 100% Correct
Question: What is the most important indicator that a patient
has a severe illness?
Correct answer: Tachypnea
Question: What are the three respiratory types, and their
criteria?
Correct answer: Hypoxemic (PaO2 <50-60), Hypercapnic
(PaCO2 >50, pH <7.36), Mixed
Question: What is the delta gap formula, when and why is it
used?
Correct answer: Difference in AG from normal - Difference
in HCO3 from normal. In AG metabolic acidosis, it's used to determine if there's underlying metabolic alkalosis or respiratory acidosis with bicarb compensation in addition to the AG metabolic acidosis. Both would result in a high bicarb to begin with, and a smaller change in bicarb from normal.
Question: What is Winter's formula equation, and what does it
measure?
Correct answer: 1.5[HCO3] + 8 +/- 2. It measures if
compensation is adequate in acid/base issues.
Question: How does anion gap (AG) change with albumin
changes?
Correct answer: Decreases 2.5-3 for every 1 decrease in
albumin
Question: What are the hemodynamic changes after
intubation?
Correct answer: Hypo/hypertension, Arrhythmia, Tachycardia
Question: What is the pressure support equation for BiPAP?
Correct answer: IPAP - EPAP
Question: What are the three types of vent cycles?
Correct answer: Volume (preset tidal volume, relieves WOB
the most), Time (constant pressure of time), Flow (constant pressure until inspiratory flow is below 25% of peak)
Question: What is the goal tidal volume?
Correct answer: 10 cc/kg
Question: What is the goal FiO2 on a ventilator?
Correct answer: Start at 1.0, then decrease as SpO2 tolerates
(goal of 92-94 saturation)
Question: What is Ppeak?
Correct answer: Peak inspiratory pressure
Question: What is Pplat, and what should it be kept below?
Correct answer: Inspiratory plateau pressure (shows alveolar
distention), 30
Question: What is AutoPEEP, what does it cause, and how is
it fixed?
Correct answer: 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).
Question: What is the danger of increased PEEP?
Correct answer: Increases autoPEEP, increases Pplat
Question: What PaO2 level are we usually happy with?
Correct answer: >60
Question: When should you consider NPPV vs invasive
ventilation?
Correct answer: When it's a quickly solved problem in 1-2
days (e.g., COPD exacerbation). When the patient can be compliant with working with NPPV.
Question: When should you consider switching from NPPV
to invasive ventilation support?