FCCS (Fundamentals of Critical Care Support) Exam – Questions And Answers

What is the single most important indicator in critical illness?

{{Correct Ans-tachypnea

Beck's Triad

{{Correct Ans- hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds

- a/w cardiac tamponade

What is the thyromental distance? {{Correct Ans- It is the distance in finger breadths between the

anterior prominence of the thyroid cartilage (adam's apple) and the tip of the mandible (chin). It is an

estimate of the length of the mandible and the available space anterior to the larynx

What does it mean when the thyromental space is < 3>

- indicates the larynx might be more anterior and therefore difficult to visualize during laryngoscopy

** a more acute angulation of the stylet at the distal end of the endotracheal tube may be helpful.

Patient is apneic w/ a pulse. What do you do? {{Correct Ans- Bag them.

- One handed bag compressions should be delivered 10-20 times per min. Each compression should take

place over 1 second.

** If patient starts spontaneously breathing, try to be synchronous with their respiratory efforts.

** If/once the patient is breathing easily and adequate Vt are being inhaled, enough to produce minute

ventilation, stop bagging.

What is the goal of manual mask ventilation? {{Correct Ans-to provide adequate minute ventilation: the

product of the tidal volume delivered during each resuscitation bag compression and the number of

compressions per min.

** The total gas volume within most adult resus bags is 1 to 1.5 LITERS

Bag mask should be connected to ________% oxygen and flow at a rate of _______

{{Correct Ans- 100% oxygen at a rate of 15L/min

HFNC {{Correct Ans- - Uses up to 100% oxygen source