Practice Test GeeksCES - Certified ECMO Specialist Practice Test
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ECMO Team Roles & Communication Flashcards

6 cards from real CES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 ECMO Team Roles & Communication flashcards as text

  1. Who has primary responsibility for ECMO circuit management during a patient transport?

    Answer: The ECMO specialist (perfusionist or trained clinician) accompanying the patient

    The ECMO specialist is responsible for circuit management, troubleshooting, and safety during patient transport.

  2. Which team member typically leads the ECMO cannulation procedure in most US ECMO centers?

    Answer: Cardiothoracic or vascular surgeon

    Cardiothoracic or vascular surgeons most commonly lead cannulation at US centers, though practices vary by institution.

  3. The ECMO specialist's primary role includes all of the following EXCEPT:

    Answer: Adjusting ventilator settings independently without physician order

    Ventilator management requires physician orders; ECMO specialists manage circuit function but do not independently adjust ventilator settings.

  4. During a code blue on an ECMO patient, the ECMO specialist's priority is:

    Answer: Managing circuit flow and communicating ECMO parameters to the resuscitation team

    The ECMO specialist's role in a code is to optimize circuit support, manage flow adjustments, and communicate ECMO status to the team conducting the resuscitation.

  5. Structured ECMO handoff communication (SBAR) should include which ECMO-specific element?

    Answer: Current circuit flow, pressures, sweep gas settings, anticoagulation status, and recent alarms

    ECMO-specific SBAR handoff must include flow, pressure parameters, sweep gas, anticoagulation status, and any recent alarms or interventions.

  6. Which organization provides the primary credentialing framework and competency standards for ECMO specialists in the US?

    Answer: ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization)

    ELSO provides international ECMO guidelines, training standards, and the primary registry for outcomes that support ECMO specialist competency frameworks.