FREE Foundations of ECMO and ECMO Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

What does ECMO treat?

Accepted Answer

ECMO is a temporary support system while the underlying issue is addressed

Answer

ECMO treats specific cardiac conditions directly

Answer

ECMO treats respiratory diseases exclusively

Answer

ECMO is a permanent solution for severe heart failure

Question 2

Is ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”) different than ECMO?

Accepted Answer

No, ECPR is the same as ECMO.

Answer

Yes, ECPR is a different technique than ECMO.

Answer

ECPR is used for lung pathologies, while ECMO is for cardiac arrest.

Answer

ECPR is used for cardiac arrest, while ECMO is for lung pathologies.

Question 3

You respond to a call at a nursing home for an unresponsive 88-year-old male. When you arrive, you are unable to palpate a pulse. While you are preparing to start chest compression, your partner places the patient on the monitor. When you perform a rhythm check, you notice ventricular fibrillation. After giving epinephrine and defibrillations, you start transporting to the nearest hospital. Is this patient a good candidate for eCPR?

Accepted Answer

No, this patient is not a good candidate for eCPR due to age and residing in a nursing home.

Answer

Yes, this patient is a good candidate for eCPR.

Answer

No, this patient is not a good candidate for eCPR due to the presence of ventricular fibrillation.

Answer

Yes, this patient is a good candidate for eCPR due to the administration of epinephrine.

Question 4

Is there a prehospital protocol for ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”) activation when I am taking a patient to one of the hospitals with an ECPR program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a protocol that includes age, initial rhythm, and arrest witnessed criteria.

Answer

No, there is no prehospital protocol for ECPR activation.

Answer

Yes, there is a protocol that includes body habitus and full code status.

Answer

No, there is no protocol specifically for patients transported to hospitals with an ECPR program.

Question 5

You respond to a call at a lakefront beach for an unresponsive 28-year-old male. When you arrive, you are unable to palpate a pulse. The patient’s friends tell you he was enjoying some alcoholic beverages and was under the water for a long time. His friends pulled him to the shore. You direct your partner to start chest compression while you place an IO. Your friendly neighborhood firefighter places a king airway and starts bagging the patient. You perform a pulse check and notice a good pulse. You and your partner start transporting to the hospital. Is this patient a good candidate for ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”)?

Accepted Answer

No, because he achieved ROSC before transport.

Answer

Yes, because he was submerged for a long time.

Answer

Yes, because drowning patients always require ECPR.

Answer

No, because he does not meet the age criteria for ECPR.

Question 6

You respond to a call at a marathon for a 38-year-old male who collapsed at mile 14. When you arrive, you are unable to palpate a pulse. While you are preparing to start chest compression, your partner places the patient on the monitor. When you perform a rhythm check, you notice ventricular fibrillation. After giving epinephrine and defibrillations, you start transporting to the nearest hospital. Is this patient a good candidate for ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because he was in ventricular fibrillation.

Answer

Yes, because he collapsed during a marathon.

Answer

No, because he does not meet the age criteria for ECPR.

Answer

No, because he achieved ROSC before transport.

Question 7

You respond to a call at a dialysis center for an unresponsive 75-year-old female. They collapsed just before starting their dialysis run for the day. When you arrive, you are unable to palpate a pulse. While you are preparing to start chest compression, your partner places the patient on the monitor. When you perform a rhythm check, you notice ventricular fibrillation. After giving epinephrine and defibrillations, you start transporting to the nearest hospital. Is this patient a good candidate for ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”)?

Accepted Answer

No, because she has end-stage renal disease and is on dialysis.

Answer

Yes, because she was in ventricular fibrillation.

Answer

No, because she is too old for ECPR.

Answer

Yes, because she collapsed just prior to dialysis.

Question 8

Is ECMO the same as cardiac bypass used in open-heart surgeries?

Accepted Answer

No, ECMO and cardiac bypass are not the same.

Answer

Yes, ECMO and cardiac bypass are the same.

Answer

ECMO is a type of cardiac bypass used in open-heart surgeries.

Answer

ECMO and cardiac bypass have similar functions but different operational methods.

Question 9

What are the risks associated with ECMO?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding, trauma to vessels, needle sticks, and resource intensity are risks associated with ECMO.

Answer

Bleeding is the only risk associated with ECMO.

Answer

There are no risks associated with ECMO.

Answer

ECMO is not resource-intensive or expensive.

Question 10

You respond to a call at a first-floor apartment for an unresponsive 58-year-old female. Her son was sitting next to her when she became unresponsive and started CPR. When you arrive, you are unable to palpate a pulse. While you are preparing to start chest compression, your partner places the patient on the monitor. When you perform a rhythm check, you notice ventricular fibrillation. After giving epinephrine and defibrillations, you start transporting to the hospital. Based on what you know, is this patient a good candidate for ECPR (refractory arrest, “ECMO Alert”)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because the patient's arrest was witnessed and CPR was initiated promptly.

Answer

No, because the patient is unresponsive.

Answer

Yes, because the patient's son initiated CPR.

Answer

No, because the patient's age is outside the acceptable range.