Critical Care for Paramedics Exam (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Review| 100% Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A

Critical Care for Paramedics Exam (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) Review| 100% Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A QUESTION What is hypothermia Answer: Core body temperature below 35 degrees QUESTION What are some symptoms of hypothermia? Answer: JRCALC Progressive decrease in consciousness Brain dysfunction - slurring of speech, muscular in coordination Slowing HR Slowing RR Arrhythmias QUESTION What are the clinical stages of hypothermia? Answer: JRCALC Stage 1: conscious and shivering Stage 2: reduced consciousness (could be shivering but not always) Stage 3: unconscious, vital signs present Stage 4: apparent death QUESTION how to treat hypothermia Answer: Carry out full cABCDE and fix any of these issues Full set of observations Keep patient warm - blankets, heating Blue light to hospital with ASHICE call QUESTION Hypothermia in arrest Answer: Chest compression and airway may be harder to manage due to stiffness Follow normal cardiac arrest guidelines Do not administer cardiac arrest drugs if body temperature below 30 degrees Defibrillation is less likely to be effective - if VF persists after 3 shocks delay shocking until temp above 30 degrees QUESTION What are common symptoms of a PE? Answer: Dyspnea Tachypnea Pleuritic pain Feeling anxious Tachycardia Cough Haemoptysis Leg pain (think possible DVT, redness, swelling, warm, painful) Possible unilateral swelling of legs and warm to touch Possible sudden collapse QUESTION What is a PE? Answer: An obstruction of the pulmonary vessels QUESTION What are risk factors of a PE? Answer: Recent surgery Pregnancy Recent MI 60 or above Smoking Previous PE/DVT Immobility Prolonged bed rest Obesity Recent trauma QUESTION What is the WELLS score for a PE? Answer: Clinical signs and symptoms of a DVT - 3 points Alternative diagnosis is less likely than a PE - 3 points Pulse 100bpm - 1.5 points Immobilisation or surgery in past 4 week - 1.5 points Precious PE/DVT - 1.5 points Haemoptysis - 1 point Malignancy (treatment ongoing for past 6 months or ongoing or palliative) - 1 point Likely PE = 4 points Not likely = 4 points or less QUESTION How to manage a PE Answer: Carry out full cABCDE and fix any of these issues Full set of observations ASHICE to nearest hospital QUESTION How can a PE present on an ECG? Answer: S1Q3T3 Deep S wave in lead I Deep Q wave in lead III Inverted T wave in lead III QUESTION What is ARDS? Answer: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is when air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) become damaged and fill with fluid. This prevents the lungs from properly inflating, leading to critically low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) and depriving organs of oxygen. QUESTION What causes ARDS? Answer: ARDS can be triggered following serious illness including: Sepsis Severe pneumonia Major trauma Covid 19 Inhalation of harmful substances