CCRN Acute Respiratory Failure 5

Question 1

A patient with acute respiratory failure from a narcotic overdose presents with slow shallow breathing and PaCO2 of 70. The most appropriate reversal agent is:

Accepted Answer

Naloxone

Answer

Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and restores adequate ventilation.

Question 2

Which lab/monitoring tool provides the EARLIEST noninvasive warning of falling ventilation in a sedated patient?

Accepted Answer

Continuous capnography (end-tidal CO2)

Answer

Capnography detects hypoventilation before oxygen saturation drops, especially with supplemental oxygen.

Question 3

In acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) improves oxygenation primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Delivering high FiO2 with a low level of positive pressure and flushing dead space

Answer

HFNC delivers heated humidified high-flow gas that washes out dead space and generates modest PEEP-like pressure.

Question 4

A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is monitored for respiratory failure. The most useful bedside measure to anticipate the need for intubation is:

Accepted Answer

Declining vital capacity / negative inspiratory force

Answer

Neuromuscular weakness reduces vital capacity and NIF, signaling impending ventilatory failure before ABG changes.

Question 5

Refractory hypoxemia despite optimal ventilator settings and prone positioning may warrant which advanced therapy?

Accepted Answer

Venovenous ECMO

Answer

VV-ECMO provides extracorporeal gas exchange for severe ARDS unresponsive to conventional management.

CCRN Review Practice Test

CCRN Review Practice Test

CCRN Acute Respiratory Failure 5