BCEN CFRNFree Certified Flight Registered Nurse practice test

Correct answer: C. Henry's Law

Henry's Law describes the relationship between a gas and how much of it dissolves into a liquid based on the pressure exerted by that gas. As pressure increases over a liquid, more gas dissolves into it; when pressure decreases, dissolved gas escapes. Boyle's Law relates gas volume to pressure. Dalton's Law addresses partial pressures of gas mixtures. Charles' Law describes the relationship between temperature and gas volume.

Correct answer: D. Charles' Law

Charles' Law holds that as temperature rises, gas volume expands proportionally, and as temperature falls, volume contracts. This is why rotor-wing aircraft generate more lift in cold, dense air. Boyle's Law relates gas volume to pressure. Henry's Law governs gas dissolution in liquids. Fick's Law describes gas diffusion across membranes in response to pressure gradients.

Correct answer: D. The Warm Zone

Hazmat operations establish three zones: the Hot Zone (incident site), the Warm Zone (decontamination corridor), and the Cold Zone (safe staging area). Victim decontamination takes place within the Warm Zone, which sits between the Hot and Cold Zones. Air medical crews must remain in the Cold Zone until patients have been properly decontaminated. The only pathway from the Hot Zone into the Cold Zone passes through the Warm Zone decontamination corridor.

Correct answer: A. 100 ft x 100 ft

A landing zone of 100 ft x 100 ft is typically the minimum recommended size to safely accommodate a medical helicopter. The other listed dimensions are too small to ensure safe operations.

Correct answer: A. Operations

The ICS organizes major incident response into five functional areas: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. Air medical crews, alongside EMS, fire, and law enforcement, operate under the Operations branch. Unless an incident is very large, typically only Command and Operations are activated. Air crews are assigned under Operations when adequate resources and airspace exist to support them.

Correct answer: B. Wait to attempt exit from the aircraft until it is upside down

Helicopters almost always capsize after water impact. Crew members should not attempt escape until the rotors have fully stopped and the aircraft has inverted completely. Exit should be delayed further until the cabin is nearly full of water, at which point releasing the seatbelt allows crew to float upward. Following released air bubbles can help orient a disoriented crew member toward the surface. Kicking or swimming away from the aircraft can cause entanglement or injury to other crew members.

Correct answer: A. Flying while under the effects of alcohol

Research demonstrates that fatigue impairs performance to a degree comparable to alcohol intoxication. FAA alcohol regulations prohibit pilots from flying within 8 hours of consuming alcohol, while under its influence, or with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or higher. Air medical programs should match the rigor of their fatigue policies to those governing alcohol use, recognizing that impairment from either source poses equivalent risks to crew and patient safety.

Correct answer: C. Distinguish between human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless behavior, and respond appropriately

Just Culture requires organizations to categorize events as human error, at-risk behavior, or reckless behavior, then respond in a manner proportionate to each. Human error calls for system redesign and support; at-risk behavior warrants coaching and education; reckless behavior may require disciplinary action. Applying a uniform response regardless of behavior type undermines fairness and misses opportunities for system improvement. Focusing solely on individuals without examining system factors ignores root causes. Eliminating formal review processes removes the structured oversight that supports accountability and learning.

Correct answer: D. Stagnant hypoxia

Stagnant hypoxia results from inadequate blood circulation, meaning oxygen-carrying blood is not reaching the tissues. A large pulmonary embolism obstructs pulmonary circulation, fitting this category. Hypoxic hypoxia involves insufficient oxygen in inspired air. Histotoxic hypoxia occurs when a toxin prevents cellular oxygen utilization. Hypemic hypoxia stems from reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, as seen with anemia or blood loss.

Correct answer: A. Histotoxic hypoxia

Histotoxic hypoxia results from cellular poisoning that prevents tissues from using available oxygen, which is precisely the mechanism of cyanide toxicity. Hypemic hypoxia arises from blood loss or reduced red blood cell function. Stagnant hypoxia occurs when circulation is impaired, such as from a large pulmonary embolism. Hypoxic hypoxia develops when inspired air contains insufficient oxygen.