Critical Care for Paramedics Exam Review 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales

****Critical Care for Paramedics Exam
Review 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales**


Normal pH
7.35-7.45




Normal CO2
35-45




Normal HCO3
22-26 (good dating age)




Normal PaO2
80-100




Normal SaO2
> 95%

,Base (deficit/excess)
(-2) - (+2)




Buffer systems: Bicarb reaction time
seconds




Buffer systems: Lungs reaction time
minutes




Buffer systems: Kidneys reaction time
hours to days




Minute volume calculation
Tidal volume x respiratory rate




pCO2 >45
acidotic




pCO2 <35
alkalotic

,HCO3 <22
acidotic




HCO3 >26
alkalotic




base deficit of < -4
indicator for the potential need for blood transfusion




base deficit of < -19
indicates poor outcome (death likely)




base deficit replacement formula
0.1 x (-BE) x patient weight in kg = bicarb needed




PO2 of 60 is roughly equivalent to a SaO2 of
90%




critical pH for intubation
< 7.2

, critical pCO2 for intubation
> 55




critical pO2 for intubation
< 60




number one cause of metabolic acidosis
lactic acidosis (lactate > 4)




CO2 is a byproduct of
metabolism




for every __ change in ETCO2, you should expect the pH to change __ in the
___________ direction.
10, 0.08, opposite




for every __ change in pH, you should expect the HCO3 to change __ in the
___________ direction.
0.15, 10, same