FP-C Ventilator Management and Respiratory Support 3

Question 1

At altitude (e.g., 8,000 ft cabin altitude), which change in a ventilated patient's gas volumes should the flight paramedic anticipate?

Accepted Answer

Gas volumes will expand due to decreased atmospheric pressure (Boyle's Law)

Answer

Per Boyle's Law, as altitude increases and atmospheric pressure decreases, gas volumes expand, which can affect tidal volume accuracy on some ventilators.

Question 2

Which of the following is a recognized criterion for initiating non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) during transport?

Accepted Answer

Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure with intact airway reflexes

Answer

NIPPV (CPAP/BiPAP) is appropriate for cooperative patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure who can protect their airway.

Question 3

CPAP differs from BiPAP primarily in that CPAP:

Accepted Answer

Delivers a single continuous pressure throughout the respiratory cycle

Answer

CPAP provides a single constant pressure during both inhalation and exhalation, while BiPAP delivers higher inspiratory (IPAP) and lower expiratory (EPAP) pressures.

Question 4

When ventilating a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, which ventilator adjustment is MOST important to prevent air trapping?

Accepted Answer

Prolonging expiratory time by using a lower I:E ratio (e.g., 1:3 to 1:4)

Answer

COPD patients have obstructed airways requiring prolonged expiratory time; a lower I:E ratio (more expiratory time) reduces auto-PEEP and air trapping.

Question 5

A patient intubated for respiratory failure has an ETCO2 waveform that shows a rising baseline (capnographic 'shark fin' pattern with elevation). This most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Air trapping and incomplete exhalation (obstructive pattern)

Answer

A rising ETCO2 baseline ('shark fin' waveform) indicates incomplete exhalation and CO2 accumulation between breaths, consistent with obstructive physiology.

FP-C - Flight Paramedic-Certification Practice Test

FP-C - Flight Paramedic-Certification Practice Test

FP-C Ventilator Management and Respiratory Support 3