CALIFORNIA PARAMEDIC LICENSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the primary
assessment?
A. Determine baseline vital signs
B. Identify life-threatening conditions
C. Gather patient history
D. Perform a secondary survey
Answer: B
The primary assessment focuses on identifying and managing
immediate life threats to airway, breathing, and circulation.
2. A 65-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain radiating to
his left arm. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
action?
A. Administer oral aspirin
B. Apply a cold compress
C. Initiate high-flow oxygen
D. Start CPR
Answer: C
High-flow oxygen is indicated for patients with suspected acute
,coronary syndrome to maintain oxygenation while further assessment
and interventions are performed.
3. Which of the following best describes compensated shock?
A. Blood pressure is falling
B. Heart rate is decreasing
C. The body maintains perfusion by increasing heart rate and vascular
resistance
D. Patient is unconscious
Answer: C
Compensated shock occurs when the body can maintain perfusion
through physiological mechanisms despite underlying circulatory
compromise.
4. Which of the following rhythms is considered immediately life-
threatening and requires defibrillation?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Atrial flutter
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic ventricular rhythm causing no
effective cardiac output; immediate defibrillation is necessary.
5. A patient presents with difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a history
of asthma. The best initial treatment is:
,A. Nebulized albuterol
B. Oral corticosteroids
C. Intravenous epinephrine
D. Intubation
Answer: A
Nebulized albuterol is the first-line treatment for acute asthma
exacerbations in the prehospital setting.
6. Which of the following is the most accurate method of confirming
endotracheal tube placement?
A. Observation of chest rise
B. Auscultation of breath sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Color of the patient’s lips
Answer: C
Continuous waveform capnography provides real-time confirmation of
proper ET tube placement by detecting exhaled CO₂.
7. A patient with hypotension, tachycardia, and warm, flushed skin
most likely has:
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: C
Septic shock often presents with vasodilation, warm skin, hypotension,
and tachycardia due to infection.
, 8. Which of the following medications is contraindicated in a patient
with known bradycardia?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Metoprolol
D. Albuterol
Answer: C
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker and can worsen bradycardia by further
reducing heart rate.
9. During which stage of labor is the umbilical cord typically clamped
and cut?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Answer: C
The third stage of labor begins after the delivery of the baby and ends
with the delivery of the placenta, during which the umbilical cord is
clamped and cut.
10. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of injury in a
high-speed frontal motor vehicle collision?
A. Compression
B. Shear
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the primary
assessment?
A. Determine baseline vital signs
B. Identify life-threatening conditions
C. Gather patient history
D. Perform a secondary survey
Answer: B
The primary assessment focuses on identifying and managing
immediate life threats to airway, breathing, and circulation.
2. A 65-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain radiating to
his left arm. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
action?
A. Administer oral aspirin
B. Apply a cold compress
C. Initiate high-flow oxygen
D. Start CPR
Answer: C
High-flow oxygen is indicated for patients with suspected acute
,coronary syndrome to maintain oxygenation while further assessment
and interventions are performed.
3. Which of the following best describes compensated shock?
A. Blood pressure is falling
B. Heart rate is decreasing
C. The body maintains perfusion by increasing heart rate and vascular
resistance
D. Patient is unconscious
Answer: C
Compensated shock occurs when the body can maintain perfusion
through physiological mechanisms despite underlying circulatory
compromise.
4. Which of the following rhythms is considered immediately life-
threatening and requires defibrillation?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Atrial flutter
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic ventricular rhythm causing no
effective cardiac output; immediate defibrillation is necessary.
5. A patient presents with difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a history
of asthma. The best initial treatment is:
,A. Nebulized albuterol
B. Oral corticosteroids
C. Intravenous epinephrine
D. Intubation
Answer: A
Nebulized albuterol is the first-line treatment for acute asthma
exacerbations in the prehospital setting.
6. Which of the following is the most accurate method of confirming
endotracheal tube placement?
A. Observation of chest rise
B. Auscultation of breath sounds
C. Continuous waveform capnography
D. Color of the patient’s lips
Answer: C
Continuous waveform capnography provides real-time confirmation of
proper ET tube placement by detecting exhaled CO₂.
7. A patient with hypotension, tachycardia, and warm, flushed skin
most likely has:
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: C
Septic shock often presents with vasodilation, warm skin, hypotension,
and tachycardia due to infection.
, 8. Which of the following medications is contraindicated in a patient
with known bradycardia?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Metoprolol
D. Albuterol
Answer: C
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker and can worsen bradycardia by further
reducing heart rate.
9. During which stage of labor is the umbilical cord typically clamped
and cut?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Answer: C
The third stage of labor begins after the delivery of the baby and ends
with the delivery of the placenta, during which the umbilical cord is
clamped and cut.
10. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of injury in a
high-speed frontal motor vehicle collision?
A. Compression
B. Shear
