PARAMEDIC FISDAP FINAL EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation
1. What is the primary method of confirming correct endotracheal tube
placement in the field?
A) Auscultation of breath sounds
B) Visualization of the tube passing through the vocal cords
C) Presence of fogging in the tube
D) Continuous waveform capnography
Explanation: While all methods are used, continuous waveform capnography is
the gold standard. It provides real-time, objective data on the presence of CO2 in
exhaled breath, which confirms the tube is in the trachea. Auscultation can be
misleading (e.g., esophageal intubation with gastric sounds transmitted), and
visualization can be difficult.
2. A patient with a suspected basilar skull fracture should NOT have a
nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) inserted if:
A) They have a history of sinus surgery.
B) There is clear fluid draining from the ears or nose.
C) They have a gag reflex.
D) They are taking blood thinners.
Explanation: Clear fluid draining from the ears or nose (CSF rhinorrhea or
otorrhea) is a sign of a basilar skull fracture. Inserting an NPA could introduce
bacteria into the cranial vault, potentially causing meningitis. The gag reflex is a
contraindication for an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA), not an NPA.
3. The sound of stridor in an adult patient is most indicative of:
A) Lower airway obstruction (e.g., bronchoconstriction).
B) Fluid in the alveoli.
C) Partial upper airway obstruction.
, D) A collapsed lung segment.
Explanation: Stridor is a high-pitched, inspiratory sound caused by turbulent
airflow through a partially obstructed upper airway, typically at the level of the
larynx or trachea (e.g., edema, foreign body).
4. A patient in respiratory distress has a SpO2 reading of 88% on room air.
Your first action should be to:
A) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM.
B) Begin CPAP.
C) Insert an advanced airway.
D) Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask.
Explanation: The first and most appropriate intervention for hypoxia is high-flow
oxygen via a non-rebreather mask. CPAP may be considered if the patient does not
improve with supplemental oxygen and shows signs of increased work of
breathing. Advanced airways and assisted ventilations are for patients in or near
respiratory failure.
5. The most common complication of Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) ventilation is:
A) Gastric distension.
B) Pneumothorax.
C) Tooth avulsion.
D) Esophageal intubation.
Explanation: Without a secure airway (e.g., ET tube), it is very easy to force air
into the esophagus and stomach during BVM ventilation, leading to gastric
distension. This can cause vomiting and aspiration and can also impede
diaphragmatic movement, worsening ventilation.
Cardiology and Resuscitation
6. The primary electrical pacemaker of the heart is the:
A) Atrioventricular (AV) node
B) Bundle of His
C) Sinoatrial (SA) node
D) Purkinje fibers
GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation
1. What is the primary method of confirming correct endotracheal tube
placement in the field?
A) Auscultation of breath sounds
B) Visualization of the tube passing through the vocal cords
C) Presence of fogging in the tube
D) Continuous waveform capnography
Explanation: While all methods are used, continuous waveform capnography is
the gold standard. It provides real-time, objective data on the presence of CO2 in
exhaled breath, which confirms the tube is in the trachea. Auscultation can be
misleading (e.g., esophageal intubation with gastric sounds transmitted), and
visualization can be difficult.
2. A patient with a suspected basilar skull fracture should NOT have a
nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) inserted if:
A) They have a history of sinus surgery.
B) There is clear fluid draining from the ears or nose.
C) They have a gag reflex.
D) They are taking blood thinners.
Explanation: Clear fluid draining from the ears or nose (CSF rhinorrhea or
otorrhea) is a sign of a basilar skull fracture. Inserting an NPA could introduce
bacteria into the cranial vault, potentially causing meningitis. The gag reflex is a
contraindication for an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA), not an NPA.
3. The sound of stridor in an adult patient is most indicative of:
A) Lower airway obstruction (e.g., bronchoconstriction).
B) Fluid in the alveoli.
C) Partial upper airway obstruction.
, D) A collapsed lung segment.
Explanation: Stridor is a high-pitched, inspiratory sound caused by turbulent
airflow through a partially obstructed upper airway, typically at the level of the
larynx or trachea (e.g., edema, foreign body).
4. A patient in respiratory distress has a SpO2 reading of 88% on room air.
Your first action should be to:
A) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM.
B) Begin CPAP.
C) Insert an advanced airway.
D) Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask.
Explanation: The first and most appropriate intervention for hypoxia is high-flow
oxygen via a non-rebreather mask. CPAP may be considered if the patient does not
improve with supplemental oxygen and shows signs of increased work of
breathing. Advanced airways and assisted ventilations are for patients in or near
respiratory failure.
5. The most common complication of Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) ventilation is:
A) Gastric distension.
B) Pneumothorax.
C) Tooth avulsion.
D) Esophageal intubation.
Explanation: Without a secure airway (e.g., ET tube), it is very easy to force air
into the esophagus and stomach during BVM ventilation, leading to gastric
distension. This can cause vomiting and aspiration and can also impede
diaphragmatic movement, worsening ventilation.
Cardiology and Resuscitation
6. The primary electrical pacemaker of the heart is the:
A) Atrioventricular (AV) node
B) Bundle of His
C) Sinoatrial (SA) node
D) Purkinje fibers
