Preparing for the CTRN (Certified Transport Registered Nurse) exam? Diagnostics is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 40 of its 1050 flashcards focus on diagnostics, covering topics like Anion Gap, Normal Albumin, Quality Check Code. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
40
Cards on this topic
1050
Total CTRN cards
$7
Full access
During transport, an intubated asthma patient shows a shark fin appearance on capnography with a prolonged Phase II and increased Alpha angle. What does this indicate and what is the immediate intervention?
Show answer →Indicates bronchospasm or obstructive airway disease leading to slowed alveolar emptying. Intervention: Administer bronchodilators (albuterol/ipratropium) and check for circuit kinks or ETT obstruction. BCEN focus: Recognizing the shark fin as a hallmark of increased airway resistance.
After intubating a cardiac arrest patient, you see 3-4 small, decaying capnography waveforms that eventually disappear. What does this represent?
Show answer →Esophageal intubation. Small amounts of CO2 may be present in the stomach (from swallowed air or carbonated drinks), but it will quickly wash out. True tracheal intubation produces consistent, sustained waveforms. BCEN emphasis: Waveform capnography is the Gold Standard for ETT confirmation.
Calculate the corrected Anion Gap for a patient with: Na 142, Cl 108, HCO3 14, and Albumin 2.0 g/dL (Normal Albumin = 4.0 g/dL).
Show answer →Corrected AG = 25. Calculation: Observed AG = 142 - (108 + 14) = 20. Correction: For every 1 g/dL drop in albumin below 4.0, the AG is underestimated by 2.5. Corrected AG = 20 + [2.5 x (4.0 - 2.0)] = 20 + 5 = 25. Rationale: Albumin is an unmeasured anion; hypoalbuminemia can mask a significant high anion gap acidosis, which is critical in trauma and septic patients.
What is the significance of 1mm upsloping ST depression at the J-point with tall, symmetric T-waves in V1-V4?
Show answer →De Winter T-waves. This is a STEMI equivalent indicating acute proximal LAD occlusion. It occurs in ~2% of LAD occlusions without classic ST elevation. Failure to recognize this as an active MI leads to inappropriate triage. Transport to a PCI-capable facility is mandatory.
During a rotor-wing flight in winter, the i-STAT displays Quality Check Code 2 after inserting a cartridge. The cabin temperature is 12°C (53.6°F). What is the immediate troubleshooting step?
Show answer →Quality Check Code 2 indicates the analyzer or cartridge is outside the required operating temperature range (typically 16-30°C or 61-86°F). Transport environments frequently expose equipment to extremes. ACTION: Warm the analyzer and cartridges using body heat (e.g., under the flight suit) or in a warmed cabin until they reach operating temperature. Never use microwaves or heaters, as rapid or extreme heat can damage the sensitive biosensors.
Keep going
You just saw a few. The full deck covers every CTRN topic.
One-time payment · less than 1¢ per card · 30-day money-back guarantee
Try 30 free CTRN cards firstThe full CTRN deck contains 1050 flashcards, and 40 of them focus on diagnostics. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CTRN deck dedicates 40 of 1050 cards (4%) to diagnostics — always cross-check the official BCEN exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CTRN preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1050 cards is a one-time $7.
Assessment
30 cards
Basics
60 cards
Management
250 cards
Pathology
350 cards
Pharmacology
90 cards
Physiology
40 cards
Procedures
150 cards
CTRN practice test
20 mixed questions across every topic, with answers — see where you stand →
CTRN study guide
Topic weights, difficulty breakdown and a 5-step study plan →
Eligibility rules, fees, question counts and passing standards are set by the certifying body and change over time. Always confirm them at the source before you apply or schedule your exam — our flashcards are practice material, not the official handbook.