FCCS (Fundamentals of Critical Care Support) Exam – Questions And Answers
Question: What is a pure alpha adrenergic vasopressor?
Correct answer: Phenylephrine
Question: When is phenylephrine a good choice for
treatment?
Correct answer: Arterial dilatation without cardiac depression,
e.g., neurogenic shock, hypotension by epidural catheter
Question: Which receptors does epinephrine act on?
Correct answer: Alpha and Beta
Question: What is the effect of a high dose of epinephrine?
Correct answer: Vasopressor effect
Question: What are the desired effects of epinephrine on the
heart?
Correct answer: Potent inotrope and chronotrope
Question: What is a negative effect of epinephrine on the
heart?
Correct answer: Increases oxygen consumption, limiting use
in coronary artery disease
Question: What are the effects and receptors of vasopressin?
Correct answer: Potent vasopressor, V1 receptor
Question: What is the physiological effect of vasopressin?
Correct answer: Decreases cardiac output, increases systemic
vascular resistance
Question: What is the dose range for vasopressin?
Correct answer: 0.01 - 0.04 units/min
Question: What effect does vasopressin have at higher doses?
Correct answer: Ischemic changes
Question: What are the indications for vasopressin?
Correct answer: Hypotensive shock refractory to other agents
Question: What are the receptors for dobutamine?
Correct answer: Non-selective beta adrenergic agonist with
inotropic effect
Question: What are the hemodynamic changes caused by
dobutamine?
Correct answer: Increased cardiac output by increasing stroke
volume, blood pressure remains the same
Question: Which patients should be cautious when
introducing dobutamine?
Correct answer: Patients with inadequate intravascular fluid
replacement may experience a sudden decrease in blood pressure
Question: What is the physiological effect of milrinone?
Correct answer: Sympathomimetic agent with beta
adrenergic-like effect, increases cardiac output by increasing stroke volume and decreasing afterload
Question: What are the indications for noninvasive positive
pressure ventilation (NIPPV)?
Correct answer: Ventilation abnormalities, oxygenation
abnormalities
Question: What ventilation abnormalities warrant the use of
NIPPV?
Correct answer: Respiratory muscle dysfunction (fatigue,
chest wall abnormalities, neuromuscular disease), decreased ventilatory drive, increased airway resistance
Question: What are the oxygenation abnormalities that
indicate NIPPV use?
Correct answer: Refractory hypoxemia, need for PEEP,
excessive work of breathing