CFRN Aviation Safety and Survival 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What minimum safe distance should bystanders maintain from a helicopter landing zone during active operations?
- 25 feet
- 50 feet
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 200 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
A minimum of 100 feet (approximately 30 meters) is the standard safe distance for bystanders from an active helicopter landing zone.
Question 2: Which physiological condition is MOST associated with spatial disorientation during night or instrument flight conditions?
- Hyperventilation causing CO2 washout
- Vestibular conflict between the inner ear and visual inputs (Correct answer)
- Nitrogen narcosis from altitude exposure
- Hypoxia causing visual field narrowing
Correct answer: Vestibular conflict between the inner ear and visual inputs
Spatial disorientation occurs when vestibular (inner ear) sensations conflict with visual information, particularly dangerous when visual cues are absent.
Question 3: During an in-flight emergency, a CFRN's primary responsibility regarding the patient is to:
- Perform all critical interventions before the aircraft lands
- Secure the patient and all equipment, then brace for landing (Correct answer)
- Notify the receiving hospital immediately via radio
- Continue ongoing assessments and document changes in condition
Correct answer: Secure the patient and all equipment, then brace for landing
In an in-flight emergency, the CFRN must secure the patient and all loose equipment to prevent projectile injuries during a crash or hard landing.
Question 4: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) item is considered MOST critical for flight crew to wear at all times during operations?
- Flame-resistant flight suit (Correct answer)
- Noise-attenuating helmet with visor
- Steel-toed boots
- Anti-vibration gloves
Correct answer: Flame-resistant flight suit
A flame-resistant flight suit is the most critical PPE because post-crash fires are a major cause of crew fatalities in helicopter accidents.
Question 5: What is the significance of 'density altitude' for helicopter flight nurses?
- It determines the pressurization requirements of the aircraft cabin
- It affects aircraft performance by reducing lift capacity in hot, high, or humid conditions (Correct answer)
- It calculates the maximum safe dose of medications at altitude
- It indicates the altitude at which supplemental oxygen is mandatory
Correct answer: It affects aircraft performance by reducing lift capacity in hot, high, or humid conditions
High density altitude (hot, high, humid conditions) reduces rotor efficiency and engine output, limiting payload capacity and increasing risk of crashes.
Question 6: A helicopter loses tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) during slow flight. As a CFRN, you should expect the aircraft to:
- Pitch nose-down and descend rapidly
- Yaw uncontrollably to the right in a US-manufactured helicopter (Correct answer)
- Roll sharply to the left due to main rotor torque
- Ascend suddenly as engine power diverts from the tail rotor
Correct answer: Yaw uncontrollably to the right in a US-manufactured helicopter
Loss of tail rotor effectiveness causes uncontrolled yaw in the direction of main rotor torque — to the right in most US helicopters — as the tail rotor can no longer counteract it.
Question 7: When transporting a patient with a closed head injury at altitude, a CFRN should be most concerned about which secondary effect of altitude?
- Decreased medication absorption due to low pressure
- Increased intracranial pressure secondary to hypoxia and gas expansion (Correct answer)
- Tachycardia induced by altitude-related stress response
- Worsening coagulopathy from cold temperature in the cabin
Correct answer: Increased intracranial pressure secondary to hypoxia and gas expansion
Altitude-related hypoxia can increase cerebral vasodilation and ICP, while any trapped intracranial gas expands per Boyle's Law, worsening head injury outcomes.
CFRN Aviation Safety and Survival 4
What minimum safe distance should bystanders maintain from a helicopter landing zone during active operations?