Critical Care Paramedic (Kyle Faudree's
Flight Paramedic Certification) Study Guide
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Hyperthyroidism/Grave's Disease/Thyrotoxicosis/"Thyroid Storm" (pg.111) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Patient presents with weight loss, palpitations, nervousness, heat intolerance
Exophthalmos (AKA proptosis) 'bulging of the eye'
AVOID Aspirin (ASA) - Prevents binding of thyroglobulin, making the situation worse
Treatment: IV Fluids 1st, Beta Blockers (Propanolol), Steroids (Dexamethasone), and Tylenol for
fever.
Septic Shock (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Someone who is in shock second degree
to sepsis (infection in the bloodstream)
Hypotensive with normal HR
Hypotensive while being refractory to fluids
Patient needs IV fluid therapy and vasopressors
Levophed (Norepinephrine) is vasopressor of choice in profound hypotension
Do not use Etomidate in RSI (due to its adrenal suppression) *Also do not use Etomidate in
Addison's Disease also due to the adrenal suppression
,Pancreatitis (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Pain that is usually centered in the upper
middle or upper left abdomen. Often radiates from the front of the abdomen through to the back,
begins or worsens after eating, lasts a few days, and may feel worse when a person lies flat on
their back.
The digestive enzymes in the pancreas are destroying the pancreas.
Increased lipase levels (usually >3x normal)
*Amylase may also be increased but Faudree did not preface this in his study guide notes.
Demerol for pain (b/c Morphine has the ability to cause spasms of the Sphincter of Oddi)
Typically requires surgical intervention.
Grey Turner's Sign (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Flank ecchymosis caused by
hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Cullen's Sign (pg. 113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Periumbilical ecchymosis caused by
hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Hypothyroidism/Myxedema Coma (pg. 112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient presents
with fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, puffy eyelids, sparse hair, possibly goiter.
Primarily occurs in women.
>90% cases in winter (b/c the patient has cold intolerance and is not suffering from hypothermia)
Officially Myxedema Coma upon changes in LOC.
Treatment: Levothyroxine (Synthroid) (T4) or Triostat (T3) IV
, Cushing's Syndrome (pg.112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Buffalo hump, moon face, thin
arms and legs, purple striae on abdomen.
Causes: Excessive use of corticosteroids (Iatrogenic, from corticosteroid treatment(s)) or Tumor
Treatment: Usually resolves when corticosteroids are stopped or tumor is removed.
Adrenal Insufficiency/Adrenal Crisis (pg. 112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Also known as
(AKA): Addison's Disease
Patient presents with depression, malaise, salt craving, and bronze colored skin like JFK.
Treatment: Oral steroids (Prednisone)
Negative Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing, also known as corticotropin or
cosyntropin test.
No Etomidate in RSI due to adrenal suppression.
Laboratory Values Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP or CHEM7) (pg.106) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Sodium (Na+) Primary Extracellular Cation: 135-145 mEq/L [Helps nerves
and muscles interact]
Potassium (K+) Primary Intracellular Cation: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L MOST DANGEROUS
ABNORMALITY
[Responsible for cell excitability, resting membrane potential]
Chloride (Cl-) Extracellular Anion 95-105 mEq/L [Maintains osmotic pressure, and helps the
stomach produce HCl or Hydrochloric Acid]
Flight Paramedic Certification) Study Guide
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Hyperthyroidism/Grave's Disease/Thyrotoxicosis/"Thyroid Storm" (pg.111) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Patient presents with weight loss, palpitations, nervousness, heat intolerance
Exophthalmos (AKA proptosis) 'bulging of the eye'
AVOID Aspirin (ASA) - Prevents binding of thyroglobulin, making the situation worse
Treatment: IV Fluids 1st, Beta Blockers (Propanolol), Steroids (Dexamethasone), and Tylenol for
fever.
Septic Shock (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Someone who is in shock second degree
to sepsis (infection in the bloodstream)
Hypotensive with normal HR
Hypotensive while being refractory to fluids
Patient needs IV fluid therapy and vasopressors
Levophed (Norepinephrine) is vasopressor of choice in profound hypotension
Do not use Etomidate in RSI (due to its adrenal suppression) *Also do not use Etomidate in
Addison's Disease also due to the adrenal suppression
,Pancreatitis (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Pain that is usually centered in the upper
middle or upper left abdomen. Often radiates from the front of the abdomen through to the back,
begins or worsens after eating, lasts a few days, and may feel worse when a person lies flat on
their back.
The digestive enzymes in the pancreas are destroying the pancreas.
Increased lipase levels (usually >3x normal)
*Amylase may also be increased but Faudree did not preface this in his study guide notes.
Demerol for pain (b/c Morphine has the ability to cause spasms of the Sphincter of Oddi)
Typically requires surgical intervention.
Grey Turner's Sign (pg.113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Flank ecchymosis caused by
hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Cullen's Sign (pg. 113) - CORRECT ANSWER - Periumbilical ecchymosis caused by
hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Hypothyroidism/Myxedema Coma (pg. 112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient presents
with fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, puffy eyelids, sparse hair, possibly goiter.
Primarily occurs in women.
>90% cases in winter (b/c the patient has cold intolerance and is not suffering from hypothermia)
Officially Myxedema Coma upon changes in LOC.
Treatment: Levothyroxine (Synthroid) (T4) or Triostat (T3) IV
, Cushing's Syndrome (pg.112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Buffalo hump, moon face, thin
arms and legs, purple striae on abdomen.
Causes: Excessive use of corticosteroids (Iatrogenic, from corticosteroid treatment(s)) or Tumor
Treatment: Usually resolves when corticosteroids are stopped or tumor is removed.
Adrenal Insufficiency/Adrenal Crisis (pg. 112) - CORRECT ANSWER - Also known as
(AKA): Addison's Disease
Patient presents with depression, malaise, salt craving, and bronze colored skin like JFK.
Treatment: Oral steroids (Prednisone)
Negative Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing, also known as corticotropin or
cosyntropin test.
No Etomidate in RSI due to adrenal suppression.
Laboratory Values Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP or CHEM7) (pg.106) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Sodium (Na+) Primary Extracellular Cation: 135-145 mEq/L [Helps nerves
and muscles interact]
Potassium (K+) Primary Intracellular Cation: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L MOST DANGEROUS
ABNORMALITY
[Responsible for cell excitability, resting membrane potential]
Chloride (Cl-) Extracellular Anion 95-105 mEq/L [Maintains osmotic pressure, and helps the
stomach produce HCl or Hydrochloric Acid]
