CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
Medication administration - (answer)Pinching the tubing above the medication port
stops backflow and ensures the medication moves toward the patient.
Endotracheal intubation position - (answer)The sniffing position aligns the airway axes
for optimal visualization during intubation.
Wrist position relative to elbow - (answer)The wrist is distal to the elbow.
Sensory receptors for pH changes - (answer)Chemoreceptors detect blood chemistry
changes, especially pH and CO₂.
Quiet breathing - (answer)Inspiration involves muscular contractions and expiration is
passive during normal, relaxed breathing.
Normal breathing movement - (answer)Eupnea is the term for normal breathing with
active inhalation and passive exhalation.
Normal pH range - (answer)Blood pH is tightly controlled between 7.35 and 7.45 for
metabolic function.
Anaphylactic shock characteristics - (answer)Anaphylactic shock causes systemic
vasodilation and airway swelling.
Pulmonary edema classification - (answer)Cardiogenic shock leads to left-sided heart
failure and fluid backup into the lungs.
Physiologic changes in tissue anoxia - (answer)Oxygen deprivation suppresses the
Kreb's cycle and triggers anaerobic metabolism.
Shock or hypoperfusion definition - (answer)The fundamental problem in all types of
shock is inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery.
Body's response to shock - (answer)Volume loss reduces venous return and arterial
pressure, impairing cardiac output.
Detection of arterial pressure decrease - (answer)Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses
and aortic arch detect pressure changes and trigger compensatory responses.
Factors affecting cardiac output - (answer)Cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate.
Pericardial Tamponade - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading
to obstructive shock.
,Tension Pneumothorax - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading
to obstructive shock.
Pulmonary Embolism - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to
obstructive shock.
Obstructive Shock - (answer)A type of shock characterized by impeded forward blood
flow.
Late Progressive Stage of Shock - (answer)Indicated by a falling systolic blood pressure
to <90 mm Hg.
Septic Shock - (answer)A type of shock classified as distributive due to peripheral
vasodilation and capillary permeability.
Alpha Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation - (answer)Causes vasoconstriction to raise
blood pressure.
Beta Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation - (answer)Enhances inotropy, increases
dromotropy, and causes bronchodilation, but does not cause vasoconstriction.
Intravenous Therapy for Hypoperfusion - (answer)Helps treat hypoperfusion by
increasing preload.
Neurogenic Shock - (answer)Least likely cause of hypotension, tachycardia, and absent
radial pulses, often presents with bradycardia and warm skin.
Classic Signs of Neurogenic Shock - (answer)Hypoperfusion, bradycardia, and warm,
dry skin below the injury site following a traumatic event.
Patient Privacy in Radio Reports - (answer)Patient's name should not be relayed to
preserve privacy.
Systolic Blood Pressure - (answer)The pressure against the walls of blood vessels
during ventricular contraction.
Nasopharyngeal Airway Advantage - (answer)It may be tolerated by many patients with
a gag reflex.
Emergency Medical Dispatcher Role - (answer)Does not provide patient care
instructions to EMS personnel on the scene.
Scope of practice - (answer)The scope of practice defines what an EMT can and cannot
legally do.
, Conflicting guardianship - (answer)Notify law enforcement in cases of conflicting
guardianship during emergencies.
Patient's right to refuse care - (answer)Patients have the right to refuse, but must be
fully informed of the risks and consequences.
Informed decision-making - (answer)Clearly state the risks of refusing care to ensure
informed decision-making.
Immediate airway and ventilation support - (answer)Immediate airway and ventilation
support are priorities in altered mental status with poor breathing.
Nonrebreather mask oxygen delivery - (answer)A nonrebreather mask at 12-15 L/min
delivers approximately 80-100% oxygen concentration.
Fight-or-flight response effects - (answer)High stress hormones may impair focus and
concentration in emergencies.
Epidural hematoma deterioration - (answer)Epidural bleeds are typically arterial,
causing rapid intracranial pressure increases.
Signs of traumatic brain injury - (answer)Traumatic brain injury more often causes
hypertension due to Cushing's reflex, not hypotension.
Consent for treatment of competent adult - (answer)Expressed consent is required for
competent adults — verbal or written approval.
Understanding patient hesitancy - (answer)Understanding patient hesitancy builds trust
and may improve cooperation with care.
q.d. in medication list - (answer)"q.d." is Latin for "quaque die," meaning once daily.
Expressed consent - (answer)Expressed consent is required for competent adults —
verbal or written approval.
Patient hesitancy - (answer)Understanding patient hesitancy builds trust and may
improve cooperation with care.
q.d. - (answer)"q.d." is Latin for "quaque die," meaning once daily.
Mottled skin - (answer)Mottled, cyanotic, pale, or ashen skin is often a sign of blood
being shunted to the body's core.
Orthostatic changes - (answer)Orthostatic changes are present when BP decreases 10-
20 mmHg, HR increases 10-20 bpm.
ANSWERS GRADED A+
Medication administration - (answer)Pinching the tubing above the medication port
stops backflow and ensures the medication moves toward the patient.
Endotracheal intubation position - (answer)The sniffing position aligns the airway axes
for optimal visualization during intubation.
Wrist position relative to elbow - (answer)The wrist is distal to the elbow.
Sensory receptors for pH changes - (answer)Chemoreceptors detect blood chemistry
changes, especially pH and CO₂.
Quiet breathing - (answer)Inspiration involves muscular contractions and expiration is
passive during normal, relaxed breathing.
Normal breathing movement - (answer)Eupnea is the term for normal breathing with
active inhalation and passive exhalation.
Normal pH range - (answer)Blood pH is tightly controlled between 7.35 and 7.45 for
metabolic function.
Anaphylactic shock characteristics - (answer)Anaphylactic shock causes systemic
vasodilation and airway swelling.
Pulmonary edema classification - (answer)Cardiogenic shock leads to left-sided heart
failure and fluid backup into the lungs.
Physiologic changes in tissue anoxia - (answer)Oxygen deprivation suppresses the
Kreb's cycle and triggers anaerobic metabolism.
Shock or hypoperfusion definition - (answer)The fundamental problem in all types of
shock is inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery.
Body's response to shock - (answer)Volume loss reduces venous return and arterial
pressure, impairing cardiac output.
Detection of arterial pressure decrease - (answer)Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses
and aortic arch detect pressure changes and trigger compensatory responses.
Factors affecting cardiac output - (answer)Cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate.
Pericardial Tamponade - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading
to obstructive shock.
,Tension Pneumothorax - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading
to obstructive shock.
Pulmonary Embolism - (answer)A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to
obstructive shock.
Obstructive Shock - (answer)A type of shock characterized by impeded forward blood
flow.
Late Progressive Stage of Shock - (answer)Indicated by a falling systolic blood pressure
to <90 mm Hg.
Septic Shock - (answer)A type of shock classified as distributive due to peripheral
vasodilation and capillary permeability.
Alpha Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation - (answer)Causes vasoconstriction to raise
blood pressure.
Beta Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation - (answer)Enhances inotropy, increases
dromotropy, and causes bronchodilation, but does not cause vasoconstriction.
Intravenous Therapy for Hypoperfusion - (answer)Helps treat hypoperfusion by
increasing preload.
Neurogenic Shock - (answer)Least likely cause of hypotension, tachycardia, and absent
radial pulses, often presents with bradycardia and warm skin.
Classic Signs of Neurogenic Shock - (answer)Hypoperfusion, bradycardia, and warm,
dry skin below the injury site following a traumatic event.
Patient Privacy in Radio Reports - (answer)Patient's name should not be relayed to
preserve privacy.
Systolic Blood Pressure - (answer)The pressure against the walls of blood vessels
during ventricular contraction.
Nasopharyngeal Airway Advantage - (answer)It may be tolerated by many patients with
a gag reflex.
Emergency Medical Dispatcher Role - (answer)Does not provide patient care
instructions to EMS personnel on the scene.
Scope of practice - (answer)The scope of practice defines what an EMT can and cannot
legally do.
, Conflicting guardianship - (answer)Notify law enforcement in cases of conflicting
guardianship during emergencies.
Patient's right to refuse care - (answer)Patients have the right to refuse, but must be
fully informed of the risks and consequences.
Informed decision-making - (answer)Clearly state the risks of refusing care to ensure
informed decision-making.
Immediate airway and ventilation support - (answer)Immediate airway and ventilation
support are priorities in altered mental status with poor breathing.
Nonrebreather mask oxygen delivery - (answer)A nonrebreather mask at 12-15 L/min
delivers approximately 80-100% oxygen concentration.
Fight-or-flight response effects - (answer)High stress hormones may impair focus and
concentration in emergencies.
Epidural hematoma deterioration - (answer)Epidural bleeds are typically arterial,
causing rapid intracranial pressure increases.
Signs of traumatic brain injury - (answer)Traumatic brain injury more often causes
hypertension due to Cushing's reflex, not hypotension.
Consent for treatment of competent adult - (answer)Expressed consent is required for
competent adults — verbal or written approval.
Understanding patient hesitancy - (answer)Understanding patient hesitancy builds trust
and may improve cooperation with care.
q.d. in medication list - (answer)"q.d." is Latin for "quaque die," meaning once daily.
Expressed consent - (answer)Expressed consent is required for competent adults —
verbal or written approval.
Patient hesitancy - (answer)Understanding patient hesitancy builds trust and may
improve cooperation with care.
q.d. - (answer)"q.d." is Latin for "quaque die," meaning once daily.
Mottled skin - (answer)Mottled, cyanotic, pale, or ashen skin is often a sign of blood
being shunted to the body's core.
Orthostatic changes - (answer)Orthostatic changes are present when BP decreases 10-
20 mmHg, HR increases 10-20 bpm.
