CES Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CES exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CES Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CES Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample CES Questions & Answers
1. In VA-ECMO, increasing pump flow rate will primarily have which effect?
Higher VA-ECMO flows drain more blood from the venous side, reducing preload to the right heart and diminishing native cardiac output.
2. What is the primary purpose of anticoagulation during ECMO therapy?
The foreign surfaces of the ECMO circuit activate the coagulation cascade, making clot formation (thrombosis) a significant risk. Anticoagulation, typically with heparin, is administered to prevent these clots from forming within the circuit, which could lead to circuit failure, or from embolizing to the patient, causing severe complications like stroke or organ damage. This is crucial for circuit patency and patient safety.
3. The Avalon Elite bicaval dual-lumen cannula is designed for insertion via which access site?
The Avalon Elite is designed for right internal jugular vein insertion, with drainage from both the SVC and IVC and return directed toward the tricuspid valve.
4. What is the minimum recommended ACT range during a weaning trial to reduce thrombosis risk without excessive bleeding?
During weaning trials, maintaining ACT between 160–180 seconds balances circuit thrombosis prevention with hemorrhagic risk.
5. Oxygenator thrombosis is first suspected when:
A rising transmembrane pressure gradient (pre- vs. post-oxygenator pressure difference) indicates increasing resistance from thrombus formation within the oxygenator.
6. What is the primary purpose of a 'bridge connector' in an ECMO circuit?
A bridge connector allows the circuit to recirculate when the patient limbs are clamped, maintaining circuit patency and preventing stasis/clotting during brief interventions.