Page | 1
Critical Care Paramedic Exam Review
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Medication administration
Answer: Pinching the tubing above the medication port stops backflow and
ensures the medication moves toward the patient.
Question:Endotracheal intubation position
Answer: The sniffing position aligns the airway axes for optimal visualization
during intubation.
Question:Wrist position relative to elbow
Answer: The wrist is distal to the elbow.
Question:Sensory receptors for pH changes
Answer: Chemoreceptors detect blood chemistry changes, especially pH and
CO₂.
Question:Quiet breathing
Answer: Inspiration involves muscular contractions and expiration is passive
during normal, relaxed breathing.
Question:Normal breathing movement
, Page | 2
Answer: Eupnea is the term for normal breathing with active inhalation and
passive exhalation.
Question:Normal pH range
Answer: Blood pH is tightly controlled between 7.35 and 7.45 for metabolic
function.
Question:Anaphylactic shock characteristics
Answer: Anaphylactic shock causes systemic vasodilation and airway
swelling.
Question:Pulmonary edema classification
Answer: Cardiogenic shock leads to left-sided heart failure and fluid backup
into the lungs.
Question:Physiologic changes in tissue anoxia
Answer: Oxygen deprivation suppresses the Kreb's cycle and triggers
anaerobic metabolism.
Question:Shock or hypoperfusion definition
Answer: The fundamental problem in all types of shock is inadequate
perfusion and oxygen delivery.
Question:Body's response to shock
Answer: Volume loss reduces venous return and arterial pressure, impairing
cardiac output.
, Page | 3
Question:Detection of arterial pressure decrease
Answer: Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch detect pressure
changes and trigger compensatory responses.
Question:Factors affecting cardiac output
Answer: Cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate.
Question:Pericardial Tamponade
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Tension Pneumothorax
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Pulmonary Embolism
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Obstructive Shock
Answer: A type of shock characterized by impeded forward blood flow.
Question:Late Progressive Stage of Shock
Answer: Indicated by a falling systolic blood pressure to <90 mm Hg.
Question:Septic Shock
, Page | 4
Answer: A type of shock classified as distributive due to peripheral
vasodilation and capillary permeability.
Question:Alpha Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation
Answer: Causes vasoconstriction to raise blood pressure.
Question:Beta Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation
Answer: Enhances inotropy, increases dromotropy, and causes
bronchodilation, but does not cause vasoconstriction.
Question:Intravenous Therapy for Hypoperfusion
Answer: Helps treat hypoperfusion by increasing preload.
Question:Neurogenic Shock
Answer: Least likely cause of hypotension, tachycardia, and absent radial
pulses, often presents with bradycardia and warm skin.
Question:Classic Signs of Neurogenic Shock
Answer: Hypoperfusion, bradycardia, and warm, dry skin below the injury site
following a traumatic event.
Question:Patient Privacy in Radio Reports
Answer: Patient's name should not be relayed to preserve privacy.
Question:Systolic Blood Pressure
Answer: The pressure against the walls of blood vessels during ventricular
contraction.
Critical Care Paramedic Exam Review
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Medication administration
Answer: Pinching the tubing above the medication port stops backflow and
ensures the medication moves toward the patient.
Question:Endotracheal intubation position
Answer: The sniffing position aligns the airway axes for optimal visualization
during intubation.
Question:Wrist position relative to elbow
Answer: The wrist is distal to the elbow.
Question:Sensory receptors for pH changes
Answer: Chemoreceptors detect blood chemistry changes, especially pH and
CO₂.
Question:Quiet breathing
Answer: Inspiration involves muscular contractions and expiration is passive
during normal, relaxed breathing.
Question:Normal breathing movement
, Page | 2
Answer: Eupnea is the term for normal breathing with active inhalation and
passive exhalation.
Question:Normal pH range
Answer: Blood pH is tightly controlled between 7.35 and 7.45 for metabolic
function.
Question:Anaphylactic shock characteristics
Answer: Anaphylactic shock causes systemic vasodilation and airway
swelling.
Question:Pulmonary edema classification
Answer: Cardiogenic shock leads to left-sided heart failure and fluid backup
into the lungs.
Question:Physiologic changes in tissue anoxia
Answer: Oxygen deprivation suppresses the Kreb's cycle and triggers
anaerobic metabolism.
Question:Shock or hypoperfusion definition
Answer: The fundamental problem in all types of shock is inadequate
perfusion and oxygen delivery.
Question:Body's response to shock
Answer: Volume loss reduces venous return and arterial pressure, impairing
cardiac output.
, Page | 3
Question:Detection of arterial pressure decrease
Answer: Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch detect pressure
changes and trigger compensatory responses.
Question:Factors affecting cardiac output
Answer: Cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate.
Question:Pericardial Tamponade
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Tension Pneumothorax
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Pulmonary Embolism
Answer: A condition that impedes forward blood flow, leading to obstructive
shock.
Question:Obstructive Shock
Answer: A type of shock characterized by impeded forward blood flow.
Question:Late Progressive Stage of Shock
Answer: Indicated by a falling systolic blood pressure to <90 mm Hg.
Question:Septic Shock
, Page | 4
Answer: A type of shock classified as distributive due to peripheral
vasodilation and capillary permeability.
Question:Alpha Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation
Answer: Causes vasoconstriction to raise blood pressure.
Question:Beta Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation
Answer: Enhances inotropy, increases dromotropy, and causes
bronchodilation, but does not cause vasoconstriction.
Question:Intravenous Therapy for Hypoperfusion
Answer: Helps treat hypoperfusion by increasing preload.
Question:Neurogenic Shock
Answer: Least likely cause of hypotension, tachycardia, and absent radial
pulses, often presents with bradycardia and warm skin.
Question:Classic Signs of Neurogenic Shock
Answer: Hypoperfusion, bradycardia, and warm, dry skin below the injury site
following a traumatic event.
Question:Patient Privacy in Radio Reports
Answer: Patient's name should not be relayed to preserve privacy.
Question:Systolic Blood Pressure
Answer: The pressure against the walls of blood vessels during ventricular
contraction.