CCP-C Critical Care Prep Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

While consulting during air transport, you are examining a patient who began experiencing dizziness and numbness in their fingers shortly after ascending to high altitude. Analyze the following ABG results: pH 7.47, $$PaCO_{2}$$ 31, HCO3 22. What condition do these results indicate?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Respiratory alkalosis. The ABG results show a high pH of 7.47, indicating alkalosis. The low $$PaCO_{2}$$ of 31 mmHg suggests that the alkalosis is respiratory in nature, often due to hyperventilation under low oxygen conditions, such as at high altitude. Metabolic alkalosis would present with an increased HCO3. Respiratory acidosis would show a decreased pH and increased $$PaCO_{2}$$. Metabolic acidosis would have a decreased HCO3 and normal or decreased $$PaCO_{2}$$.

Question 2

During intense workouts, athletes may experience muscle cramps due to reduced blood flow. Which type of hypoxia is most likely involved in this scenario?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Stagnant hypoxia. Stagnant hypoxia occurs when poor circulation leads to tissue ischemia, such as during muscle cramps caused by reduced blood flow during workouts. Histotoxic hypoxia involves the inability of cells to use oxygen. Hypoxic hypoxia occurs due to inadequate oxygen in the blood, and anemic hypoxia involves low hemoglobin levels.

Question 3

In the context of emergency air medical transport during crisis evacuations, certain patient conditions are considered relative contraindications due to elevated risks. Review the following scenarios. Which patient would likely be a relative contraindication for air transport?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

55-year-old male with COPD exacerbation uncontrolled by medication. COPD exacerbations can lead to severe respiratory distress, making air transport potentially dangerous due to changes in pressure and oxygen availability. Other conditions listed, while serious, don't present the same level of immediate transport risk.

Question 4

After a 30-minute scuba dive, a diver begins their ascent. During the ascent, they experience a sharp, throbbing pain in their teeth and severe headache. Shortly after surfacing, the pain subsides but leaves them feeling disoriented and fatigued. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Barodontalgia. Answer: Barodontalgia Barodontalgia, often known as the flyer's toothache, is the result of pressure changes causing discomfort in teeth due to air trapped beneath fillings expanding during ascent or descent. It is a common issue among those experiencing rapid altitude or pressure changes, such as divers or aviators. Barosinusitis affects the sinuses due to altitude changes, often leading to facial pain and nosebleeds. Barotitis Media involves pain in the ears due to pressure changes impacting the middle ear, commonly occurring during descent. Barocongestion is a fictional term with no medical basis, serving as a distractor.

Question 5

A critical care paramedic is managing an in-flight transfer of a patient requiring specialized cardiac treatment. According to air medical transport protocols, which of the following is a critical piece of equipment that must always be available on board during the transfer?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Cardiac monitor. Answer: Cardiac monitor The cardiac monitor is essential in air medical transports, especially for patients requiring specialized cardiac treatments or are at risk of cardiac complications. It allows paramedics to continuously monitor the patient's heart rate and rhythms and respond promptly if any issues arise. While equipment like infusion pumps or ventilators may also be important, they are utilized based on patient-specific needs, whereas the cardiac monitor is universally required for continuous monitoring in such scenarios.

Question 6

A critical care paramedic is preparing for the prolonged transport of a 35-year-old patient with multiple trauma injuries. Which of the following sedatives is most appropriate for maintaining sedation during transport without causing respiratory depression? Sedative Effect Contraindication Midazolam Anxiolytic, amnesic Potential respiratory depression Propofol Rapid onset sedation Hypotension Ketamine Sedation, analgesia Increased intracranial pressure Dexmedetomidine Sedative Bradycardia

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ketamine. Ketamine is the most appropriate choice for maintaining sedation during transport due to its unique property of providing both sedation and analgesia without the risk of respiratory depression. Midazolam and propofol are both known to potentially cause respiratory depression, making them less suitable for this scenario. Dexmedetomidine, while sedative, is associated with bradycardia, which could complicate the patient's condition during transport.

Question 7

You are transporting a 32-year-old patient with severe bradycardia who becomes unresponsive during the flight. You have begun CPR and intubated him. After 60 seconds, his heart rate is 40 beats per minute. What should you do next?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Administer epinephrine IV at 1 mg. Epinephrine is used to increase heart rate in severe bradycardia when CPR is performed and heart rate remains low. Continuing CPR without medication or administering other treatments initially wouldn't effectively raise the heart rate in this emergent scenario.

Question 8

You are working as a paramedic in a critical care transport team. You are transporting a 65-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of sepsis who is being transferred to a higher-level facility. Review his recent lab values and vital signs: Lab Test Value Reference Range Lactate 4.5 mmol/L 0.5-2.2 mmol/L White Blood Cell (WBC) 18,000/mm3 4,500-11,000/mm3 Blood Pressure 85/50 mmHg 90/60-120/80 mmHg Heart Rate 110 bpm 60-100 bpm Based on these values, what should be your primary concern during the transport of this patient?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ensure adequate perfusion and initiate fluid resuscitation as needed. The primary concern in transporting a septic patient with hypotension (blood pressure 85/50 mmHg) and elevated lactate (4.5 mmol/L) is ensuring adequate perfusion. Elevated lactate indicates poor tissue perfusion, and maintaining blood pressure with fluid resuscitation is crucial. Antibiotics, while essential in managing sepsis, are not the immediate focus during transport. Monitoring for hyperglycemia and managing heart rate are important, but they are secondary to maintaining perfusion.

Question 9

A 60-year-old man arrives in the emergency department with a sudden sensation of a fluttering heart, dizziness, and shortness of breath. His vital signs reveal BP 120/80, P 140, R 20. His ECG shows atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. You should do which of the following?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring. In cases of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, it is essential to first initiate continuous cardiac monitoring to assess the rhythm and guide further treatment. 
 Immediate cardioversion is reserved for unstable patients who are hemodynamically compromised. Administering adenosine is inappropriate for atrial fibrillation as it is primarily for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Defibrillation is reserved for patients in ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Question 10

A 32-year-old female was admitted to the ICU following a severe road accident. Nurses document the vital signs as follows: Heart rate 145 bpm, blood pressure 58/40 mmHg, respiratory rate 35 breaths/min, and urine output is less than 5 mL/hr over the past hour. Which classification of hemorrhage is this patient demonstrating? Analyze the table to determine the appropriate classification.

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Class IV. Answer: Class IV. The patient's symptoms, such as a heart rate greater than 140 bpm, severely low blood pressure, high respiratory rate, and very low urine output, indicate Class IV hemorrhage which is associated with more than 40% blood loss.

CCP-C Critical Care Prep Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

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