California Paramedic Licensing Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the preferred method for confirming endotracheal tube placement
in the field?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Auscultation of lung sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Fogging in the ETT
Continuous waveform capnography is the gold standard for confirming ETT
placement per ACLS and California EMS protocols.
2. A patient with a tension pneumothorax should receive needle
decompression at which anatomical location?
A. 4th intercostal space mid-axillary line
B. 5th intercostal space anterior axillary line
C. 2nd intercostal space midclavicular line
D. 3rd intercostal space midline
Standard protocol for prehospital tension pneumothorax relief is needle
decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line.
, 3. What is the minimum systolic blood pressure goal for a patient with
suspected traumatic brain injury?
A. 70 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Maintaining SBP ≥ 90 mmHg is crucial to maintain cerebral perfusion in TBI
patients.
4. Which rhythm is not considered a shockable rhythm in cardiac arrest?
A. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Asystole
D. Torsades de Pointes
Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm. Only VF and pulseless VT are shockable.
5. A 24-year-old opioid overdose patient is apneic but has a pulse. What is the
initial management?
A. CPR
B. Narcan IV
C. Bag-valve-mask ventilation
D. Intubation immediately
,Ventilation is the priority in opioid overdose with respiratory arrest but an intact
pulse.
6. What is the correct dose of epinephrine for an adult in cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg IV every 5 minutes
B. 2 mg IV every 10 minutes
C. 1 mg IV every 3-5 minutes
D. 0.3 mg IM every 3-5 minutes
The ACLS standard is 1 mg IV push every 3–5 minutes in cardiac arrest.
7. Which pediatric respiratory condition is most associated with a "seal-like"
barking cough?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Croup, or laryngotracheobronchitis, often presents with a characteristic barking
cough.
8. In California, paramedics may perform which of the following under base
hospital direction?
A. Appendectomy
B. Administration of insulin
, C. Needle thoracostomy
D. Cardiac bypass initiation
Needle thoracostomy is within the California scope of practice under specified
conditions.
9. What is the first-line medication for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Lidocaine
Atropine 0.5 mg IV is first-line for symptomatic bradycardia.
10.A GCS of 7 indicates:
A. Alert
B. Comatose
C. Mild head injury
D. No intervention needed
A GCS ≤ 8 indicates coma and the need for airway protection.
11.What is the correct volume for an adult normal saline bolus in
hypotension?
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the preferred method for confirming endotracheal tube placement
in the field?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Auscultation of lung sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Fogging in the ETT
Continuous waveform capnography is the gold standard for confirming ETT
placement per ACLS and California EMS protocols.
2. A patient with a tension pneumothorax should receive needle
decompression at which anatomical location?
A. 4th intercostal space mid-axillary line
B. 5th intercostal space anterior axillary line
C. 2nd intercostal space midclavicular line
D. 3rd intercostal space midline
Standard protocol for prehospital tension pneumothorax relief is needle
decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line.
, 3. What is the minimum systolic blood pressure goal for a patient with
suspected traumatic brain injury?
A. 70 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Maintaining SBP ≥ 90 mmHg is crucial to maintain cerebral perfusion in TBI
patients.
4. Which rhythm is not considered a shockable rhythm in cardiac arrest?
A. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Asystole
D. Torsades de Pointes
Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm. Only VF and pulseless VT are shockable.
5. A 24-year-old opioid overdose patient is apneic but has a pulse. What is the
initial management?
A. CPR
B. Narcan IV
C. Bag-valve-mask ventilation
D. Intubation immediately
,Ventilation is the priority in opioid overdose with respiratory arrest but an intact
pulse.
6. What is the correct dose of epinephrine for an adult in cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg IV every 5 minutes
B. 2 mg IV every 10 minutes
C. 1 mg IV every 3-5 minutes
D. 0.3 mg IM every 3-5 minutes
The ACLS standard is 1 mg IV push every 3–5 minutes in cardiac arrest.
7. Which pediatric respiratory condition is most associated with a "seal-like"
barking cough?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Croup, or laryngotracheobronchitis, often presents with a characteristic barking
cough.
8. In California, paramedics may perform which of the following under base
hospital direction?
A. Appendectomy
B. Administration of insulin
, C. Needle thoracostomy
D. Cardiac bypass initiation
Needle thoracostomy is within the California scope of practice under specified
conditions.
9. What is the first-line medication for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Lidocaine
Atropine 0.5 mg IV is first-line for symptomatic bradycardia.
10.A GCS of 7 indicates:
A. Alert
B. Comatose
C. Mild head injury
D. No intervention needed
A GCS ≤ 8 indicates coma and the need for airway protection.
11.What is the correct volume for an adult normal saline bolus in
hypotension?
