MCC Paramedic Entrance Exam
Define Advance Directive - Correct Answer Written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent
patient, should he/she
become unable to make decisions (i.e. comatose patient). Also referred to as a living will.
Define body mechanics - Correct Answer The relationship between the body's anatomical structures and the physical
forces associated
with lifting, moving and carrying; the ways in which the body moves to achieve a specific action.
Define paradoxical chest wall motion - Correct Answer Associated with a fracture of several ribs, causing a section of
the chest to move independently
from the rest of the chest wall.
Define precipitous delivery - Correct Answer Precipitous just means fast. This puts the patient at risk for tears in the
perineal region.
Define the function of the gallbladder - Correct Answer Discharges stored and concentrated bile into the duodenum
through the common bile duct.
Define transient ischemic attack - Correct Answer Stroke-like symptoms that resolve on their own in less than 24
hours
Describe the second stage of labor - Correct Answer Begins when the fetus enters the birth canal and ends with
delivery of the newborn.
Identify the function of the KED - Correct Answer Vest-type device that is specifically designed to immobilize a patient
until he/she is moved from a
sitting position to a supine position on a backboard during vehicle extrication.
Identify the most common cause of seizures in infants and children - Correct Answer Fevers. These are known as
febrile seizures.
Identify the risk factors associated with adult drowning - Correct Answer Alcohol consumption, preexisting seizures,
geriatric patients with cardiovascular disease.
Identify the signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion for an adult, child and infant - Correct Answer Systolic blood
pressure <100 mmHg w/ weak, rapid pulse and cool, clammy skin.
List causes of JVD - Correct Answer Fluid overload, CHF (specifically right sided heart failure, but severe left sided
heart failure could
also cause JVD), pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade or tension pneumothorax.
List the complications of delivery - Correct Answer Remember: the head should be delivered first
• Breech delivery - butt delivered first
• Presentation complications:
o Limb presentation - arm or leg delivered first
o Prolapsed umbilical cord - umbilical cord comes out first
• Spina bifida - developmental defect where the spinal cord or meninges protrude outside
of the baby's body (typically seen on newborn's back)
• Multiple gestation - delivery of twin, triplets, etc.
• Premature birth - any newborn delivered before 8 months (36 weeks) or weighs less than 5
pounds
• Postterm pregnancy - gestation period longer than 42 weeks
• Fetal demise - delivery of a dead fetus
• Delivery without sterile supplies
Define Advance Directive - Correct Answer Written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent
patient, should he/she
become unable to make decisions (i.e. comatose patient). Also referred to as a living will.
Define body mechanics - Correct Answer The relationship between the body's anatomical structures and the physical
forces associated
with lifting, moving and carrying; the ways in which the body moves to achieve a specific action.
Define paradoxical chest wall motion - Correct Answer Associated with a fracture of several ribs, causing a section of
the chest to move independently
from the rest of the chest wall.
Define precipitous delivery - Correct Answer Precipitous just means fast. This puts the patient at risk for tears in the
perineal region.
Define the function of the gallbladder - Correct Answer Discharges stored and concentrated bile into the duodenum
through the common bile duct.
Define transient ischemic attack - Correct Answer Stroke-like symptoms that resolve on their own in less than 24
hours
Describe the second stage of labor - Correct Answer Begins when the fetus enters the birth canal and ends with
delivery of the newborn.
Identify the function of the KED - Correct Answer Vest-type device that is specifically designed to immobilize a patient
until he/she is moved from a
sitting position to a supine position on a backboard during vehicle extrication.
Identify the most common cause of seizures in infants and children - Correct Answer Fevers. These are known as
febrile seizures.
Identify the risk factors associated with adult drowning - Correct Answer Alcohol consumption, preexisting seizures,
geriatric patients with cardiovascular disease.
Identify the signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion for an adult, child and infant - Correct Answer Systolic blood
pressure <100 mmHg w/ weak, rapid pulse and cool, clammy skin.
List causes of JVD - Correct Answer Fluid overload, CHF (specifically right sided heart failure, but severe left sided
heart failure could
also cause JVD), pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade or tension pneumothorax.
List the complications of delivery - Correct Answer Remember: the head should be delivered first
• Breech delivery - butt delivered first
• Presentation complications:
o Limb presentation - arm or leg delivered first
o Prolapsed umbilical cord - umbilical cord comes out first
• Spina bifida - developmental defect where the spinal cord or meninges protrude outside
of the baby's body (typically seen on newborn's back)
• Multiple gestation - delivery of twin, triplets, etc.
• Premature birth - any newborn delivered before 8 months (36 weeks) or weighs less than 5
pounds
• Postterm pregnancy - gestation period longer than 42 weeks
• Fetal demise - delivery of a dead fetus
• Delivery without sterile supplies
