Critical Care Paramedic Exam Review
And Answers
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.
And Answers
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.
