***Critical Care for Paramedics Exam
Prep 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales**
Which laryngoscope blade is inserted into the vallecula during direct laryngoscopy?
Macintosh (curved) blade
Which patient makes succinylcholine contraindicated for RSI?
A 45-year-old with a cervical spinal cord injury sustained 5 days ago
What is the most likely explanation for an ETCO2 reading of 6 mmHg after intubation?
The patient is in a very low cardiac output state
What is the next action after two failed intubation attempts in a 60 kg adult male?
Insert a supraglottic airway (King LT or i-gel) and confirm with ETCO2
What should you do for a patient with anaphylaxis and progressive angioedema?
Perform RSI immediately with ketamine and rocuronium
,What is the most appropriate action if ETCO2 waveform is flat after intubation?
Remove the ETT immediately
What is the most important modification for intubation positioning in a morbidly obese
patient?
Ramp the patient — elevate upper body and head until ear aligns with sternal notch
What is the first intervention if BVM becomes difficult to compress after intubation?
Disconnect the BVM for 10-15 seconds and allow passive exhalation
What is the correct uncuffed ETT size for a 6-year-old child?
5.5 mm
Which induction agent is most appropriate for RSI in a hypotensive trauma patient with
a suspected head injury?
Ketamine
What is the likely cause if breath sounds are heard only on the right after intubation?
Right mainstem intubation
What does ETCO2 waveform presence indicate?
Distinguishes from esophageal intubation.
,What technique is employed during a difficult RSI?
Apneic oxygenation involves placing a nasal cannula at 15 LPM during the apneic
period.
What does the LEMON mnemonic predict?
Difficult intubation by identifying anatomical and clinical features that increase
intubation difficulty.
What adjustment is appropriate for a patient with an ETCO2 of 52 mmHg?
Increase respiratory rate or tidal volume due to hypoventilation.
What does the 3-3-2 rule describe?
3 finger widths mouth opening, 3 from hyoid to chin, 2 from thyroid to floor of mouth.
What is the most appropriate intervention for a child with suspected epiglottitis?
Allow the child to sit in her mother's lap with blow-by oxygen.
What is a true statement about the King LT airway?
It is placed blindly and confirmed with ETCO2 waveform and bilateral breath sounds.
, What does an ETCO2 of 8 mmHg during cardiac arrest indicate?
CPR quality likely needs improvement; cardiac output is very low.
Which NMB can be fully reversed in the event of a failed airway?
Rocuronium can be fully reversed by sugammadex.
What is the correct depth for intubating a 72-year-old male patient?
Approximately 23 cm at the lip.
What happens if an OPA is too large?
It pushes the epiglottis posteriorly and worsens obstruction.
What should you do if the ETCO2 waveform disappears after patient movement?
Immediately assume ETT displacement and confirm placement.
What anatomical alignment does the 'sniffing position' achieve?
Aligns the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes into a single straight line.
What position achieves neutral spinal alignment for trauma patients?
Sniffing position with head elevated ~10 cm and atlantooccipital extension.
Prep 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales**
Which laryngoscope blade is inserted into the vallecula during direct laryngoscopy?
Macintosh (curved) blade
Which patient makes succinylcholine contraindicated for RSI?
A 45-year-old with a cervical spinal cord injury sustained 5 days ago
What is the most likely explanation for an ETCO2 reading of 6 mmHg after intubation?
The patient is in a very low cardiac output state
What is the next action after two failed intubation attempts in a 60 kg adult male?
Insert a supraglottic airway (King LT or i-gel) and confirm with ETCO2
What should you do for a patient with anaphylaxis and progressive angioedema?
Perform RSI immediately with ketamine and rocuronium
,What is the most appropriate action if ETCO2 waveform is flat after intubation?
Remove the ETT immediately
What is the most important modification for intubation positioning in a morbidly obese
patient?
Ramp the patient — elevate upper body and head until ear aligns with sternal notch
What is the first intervention if BVM becomes difficult to compress after intubation?
Disconnect the BVM for 10-15 seconds and allow passive exhalation
What is the correct uncuffed ETT size for a 6-year-old child?
5.5 mm
Which induction agent is most appropriate for RSI in a hypotensive trauma patient with
a suspected head injury?
Ketamine
What is the likely cause if breath sounds are heard only on the right after intubation?
Right mainstem intubation
What does ETCO2 waveform presence indicate?
Distinguishes from esophageal intubation.
,What technique is employed during a difficult RSI?
Apneic oxygenation involves placing a nasal cannula at 15 LPM during the apneic
period.
What does the LEMON mnemonic predict?
Difficult intubation by identifying anatomical and clinical features that increase
intubation difficulty.
What adjustment is appropriate for a patient with an ETCO2 of 52 mmHg?
Increase respiratory rate or tidal volume due to hypoventilation.
What does the 3-3-2 rule describe?
3 finger widths mouth opening, 3 from hyoid to chin, 2 from thyroid to floor of mouth.
What is the most appropriate intervention for a child with suspected epiglottitis?
Allow the child to sit in her mother's lap with blow-by oxygen.
What is a true statement about the King LT airway?
It is placed blindly and confirmed with ETCO2 waveform and bilateral breath sounds.
, What does an ETCO2 of 8 mmHg during cardiac arrest indicate?
CPR quality likely needs improvement; cardiac output is very low.
Which NMB can be fully reversed in the event of a failed airway?
Rocuronium can be fully reversed by sugammadex.
What is the correct depth for intubating a 72-year-old male patient?
Approximately 23 cm at the lip.
What happens if an OPA is too large?
It pushes the epiglottis posteriorly and worsens obstruction.
What should you do if the ETCO2 waveform disappears after patient movement?
Immediately assume ETT displacement and confirm placement.
What anatomical alignment does the 'sniffing position' achieve?
Aligns the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes into a single straight line.
What position achieves neutral spinal alignment for trauma patients?
Sniffing position with head elevated ~10 cm and atlantooccipital extension.
