CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC PRACTICE
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● For every change of _ in pH, you should expect HCO3 to change _ in
the same direction. Answer: 0.15, 10
● For each change of _ in pH, the K+ will shift _ the _ direction.
Answer: 0.10, 0.6, opposite
● For each change of _ mmHg CO2, the K+ will shift _ in the same
direction. Answer: 10, 0.5
● Critical ABG Thresholds Answer: pH < 7.2
ETCO2 > 55
PaO2 < 60
● Formula for pediatric intubation size Answer: 16 + age in years/4
● Ideal Tube Position: How far from the carina? At What level of the
vertebrae? Answer: 4-5cm above carina; between T3-T4; Murphy of eye
should be where the clavicles meet.
,● What is the reversal agent/medication for Rocuronium? Answer:
Sugammadex (Bridion)
● What is the only Depolarizing neuromuscular medication? Answer:
Succinylcholine
● Succinylcholine can cause which electrolyte imbalance? Answer:
Hyperkalemia
● Indication for Cric Answer: can't oxygenate, can't ventilate, can't
intubate
● Dead space formula Answer: 2ml/kg
● What can show on capnography for patient-ventilator dyssynchrony?
Answer: Curare cleft
● Normal V/Q ratio Answer: 0.8 (4L/5L)
● Low V/Q Answer: shunt perfusion: alveoli perfused but not ventilated
● High V/Q Answer: deadspace ventilation (alveoli ventilated but not
perfused)
,● Sodium Range Na+ Answer: 135-145 mEq/L
● Potassium Range K+ Answer: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
● Chloride Range (Cl-) Answer: 96-106 mEq/L
● HCO3 range (bicarbonate) Answer: 22-26 mEq/L
● BUN range (mg/dL) Answer: 8-23 mg/dL
● Cr range Answer: 0.7-1.4 mg/dL
● normal base excess Answer: -2 to +2
● product of protein catabolism Answer: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
● Total Calcium (Ca2+) normal range Answer: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL
● Signs of hypocalcemia Answer: Chvostek's sign: cheek muscle spasms
when the facial nerve (CN VII) tapped; Trousseau's Sign: Forearm
tetany when BP cuff is inflated.
● ionized calcium level Answer: 4.5-5.6 mg/dL
, ● Anion gap formula Answer: Na - (Cl + HCO3)
● Normal anion gap range Answer: 12 +/- 4
● MUDPILES stands for... Answer: M ethanol
U remia
D KA
P ropylene glycol, paraaldehyde
I soniazid, infection, intoxification
L actic acidosis
E thanol
S alicylates/sepsis, starvation
● Replacement formula for bicarb Answer: 0.1 x (-BE) x kg
● Red Blood Cells (RBCs) Count Answer: ~ 5 million
● Hemoglobin count Answer: 12-18 g/dL
● Hematocrit count Answer: 45%
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● For every change of _ in pH, you should expect HCO3 to change _ in
the same direction. Answer: 0.15, 10
● For each change of _ in pH, the K+ will shift _ the _ direction.
Answer: 0.10, 0.6, opposite
● For each change of _ mmHg CO2, the K+ will shift _ in the same
direction. Answer: 10, 0.5
● Critical ABG Thresholds Answer: pH < 7.2
ETCO2 > 55
PaO2 < 60
● Formula for pediatric intubation size Answer: 16 + age in years/4
● Ideal Tube Position: How far from the carina? At What level of the
vertebrae? Answer: 4-5cm above carina; between T3-T4; Murphy of eye
should be where the clavicles meet.
,● What is the reversal agent/medication for Rocuronium? Answer:
Sugammadex (Bridion)
● What is the only Depolarizing neuromuscular medication? Answer:
Succinylcholine
● Succinylcholine can cause which electrolyte imbalance? Answer:
Hyperkalemia
● Indication for Cric Answer: can't oxygenate, can't ventilate, can't
intubate
● Dead space formula Answer: 2ml/kg
● What can show on capnography for patient-ventilator dyssynchrony?
Answer: Curare cleft
● Normal V/Q ratio Answer: 0.8 (4L/5L)
● Low V/Q Answer: shunt perfusion: alveoli perfused but not ventilated
● High V/Q Answer: deadspace ventilation (alveoli ventilated but not
perfused)
,● Sodium Range Na+ Answer: 135-145 mEq/L
● Potassium Range K+ Answer: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
● Chloride Range (Cl-) Answer: 96-106 mEq/L
● HCO3 range (bicarbonate) Answer: 22-26 mEq/L
● BUN range (mg/dL) Answer: 8-23 mg/dL
● Cr range Answer: 0.7-1.4 mg/dL
● normal base excess Answer: -2 to +2
● product of protein catabolism Answer: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
● Total Calcium (Ca2+) normal range Answer: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL
● Signs of hypocalcemia Answer: Chvostek's sign: cheek muscle spasms
when the facial nerve (CN VII) tapped; Trousseau's Sign: Forearm
tetany when BP cuff is inflated.
● ionized calcium level Answer: 4.5-5.6 mg/dL
, ● Anion gap formula Answer: Na - (Cl + HCO3)
● Normal anion gap range Answer: 12 +/- 4
● MUDPILES stands for... Answer: M ethanol
U remia
D KA
P ropylene glycol, paraaldehyde
I soniazid, infection, intoxification
L actic acidosis
E thanol
S alicylates/sepsis, starvation
● Replacement formula for bicarb Answer: 0.1 x (-BE) x kg
● Red Blood Cells (RBCs) Count Answer: ~ 5 million
● Hemoglobin count Answer: 12-18 g/dL
● Hematocrit count Answer: 45%
