FISDAP PARAMEDIC FINAL STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE SCRIPT UPDATED 2026 TESTED
SOLUTIONS
⫸ Goal of patient assessment Answer: To gather all necessary
information without causing discomfort or confusion.
⫸ Goal of Primary Assessment Answer: Focus on identifying and
correcting immediate life threats (e.g., airway obstruction, severe
bleeding).
Life threats take precedence over detailed history-taking.
⫸ Goal of secondary assessment Answer: Conducted after primary
threats are managed.
Includes detailed physical examination and history-taking.
Can be delayed if immediate transport is necessary.
⫸ Timing of secondary assessment Answer: Begin gathering history
after ensuring scene safety and addressing immediate life threats.
Can be concurrent with the secondary assessment if the patient's
condition allows.
⫸ Components of secondary assessment Answer: Chief Complaint (CC)
History of Present Illness (HPI)
,Past Medical History (PMH)
Medications, Allergies, Social History
⫸ Purpose of secondary assessment Answer: To identify other issues
that may not be immediately life-threatening but require attention.
⫸ Field Impression Answer: An initial assessment based on available
information.
Helps guide immediate treatment decisions.
⫸ Key vital signs for adults Answer: Heart Rate (Pulse): 60-100
Blood Pressure: Sys: 90-140, Dia: 60-80
Respiratory Rate: 12-20
Temperature: 98.6
⫸ MAP normal range Answer: 70-100. less than 65 = no organ
perfusion.
⫸ Systolic Pressure Answer: Pressure during heart contraction
⫸ Diastolic Pressure Answer: Pressure during heart relaxation
⫸ Pulse Pressure Answer: Difference between systolic and diastolic
pressures
,⫸ Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Answer: Average pressure in the
arteries during one cardiac cycle
⫸ Calculate MAP Answer: MAP = SBP + (2 x DBP) / 3
⫸ Pulse Ox Measurement Answer: Determines hemoglobin saturation
with oxygen
Typically 95-100% in healthy individuals
⫸ Factors Affecting Accuracy in pulse ox Answer: Poor circulation
(hypotension, hypothermia)
Nail polish
Carbon monoxide poisoning (false high readings)
Sickle Cell Disease (altered hemoglobin)
⫸ Skin assessment color changes Answer: Flushed Skin: May indicate
fever, heat exposure, or burns.
Pale Skin: Possible sign of vasoconstriction or shock.
⫸ Skin Turgor Answer: Test for dehydration, especially in infants and
children.
Poor turgor indicates fluid loss.
, ⫸ Pupil Size and Reactivity Answer: Assesses neurological function
⫸ Pupil assessment indications Answer: Brain perfusion status
Potential head injury
Effects of drugs or toxins
⫸ Vesicular breath sounds Answer: Vesicular: Soft sounds heard over
peripheral lung areas.
⫸ Adventitious Breath Sounds Answer: Wheezes: High-pitched sounds
due to narrowed airways.
Rhonchi: Coarse sounds from mucus in larger airways.
Rales (Crackles): Popping sounds from fluid in alveoli.
⫸ Decreased Breath Sounds Answer: May indicate airway obstruction,
lung collapse, or severe asthma.
Not typically associated with cardiac conditions like tamponade.
⫸ Heart rate measurements in infants (<1 yr) Answer: Palpate the
brachial artery.
Alternatively, auscultate the apical pulse directly over the heart.
Count for a full minute for accuracy due to irregularities.
⫸ Signs of dehydration Answer: Poor Skin Turgor:
PRACTICE SCRIPT UPDATED 2026 TESTED
SOLUTIONS
⫸ Goal of patient assessment Answer: To gather all necessary
information without causing discomfort or confusion.
⫸ Goal of Primary Assessment Answer: Focus on identifying and
correcting immediate life threats (e.g., airway obstruction, severe
bleeding).
Life threats take precedence over detailed history-taking.
⫸ Goal of secondary assessment Answer: Conducted after primary
threats are managed.
Includes detailed physical examination and history-taking.
Can be delayed if immediate transport is necessary.
⫸ Timing of secondary assessment Answer: Begin gathering history
after ensuring scene safety and addressing immediate life threats.
Can be concurrent with the secondary assessment if the patient's
condition allows.
⫸ Components of secondary assessment Answer: Chief Complaint (CC)
History of Present Illness (HPI)
,Past Medical History (PMH)
Medications, Allergies, Social History
⫸ Purpose of secondary assessment Answer: To identify other issues
that may not be immediately life-threatening but require attention.
⫸ Field Impression Answer: An initial assessment based on available
information.
Helps guide immediate treatment decisions.
⫸ Key vital signs for adults Answer: Heart Rate (Pulse): 60-100
Blood Pressure: Sys: 90-140, Dia: 60-80
Respiratory Rate: 12-20
Temperature: 98.6
⫸ MAP normal range Answer: 70-100. less than 65 = no organ
perfusion.
⫸ Systolic Pressure Answer: Pressure during heart contraction
⫸ Diastolic Pressure Answer: Pressure during heart relaxation
⫸ Pulse Pressure Answer: Difference between systolic and diastolic
pressures
,⫸ Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Answer: Average pressure in the
arteries during one cardiac cycle
⫸ Calculate MAP Answer: MAP = SBP + (2 x DBP) / 3
⫸ Pulse Ox Measurement Answer: Determines hemoglobin saturation
with oxygen
Typically 95-100% in healthy individuals
⫸ Factors Affecting Accuracy in pulse ox Answer: Poor circulation
(hypotension, hypothermia)
Nail polish
Carbon monoxide poisoning (false high readings)
Sickle Cell Disease (altered hemoglobin)
⫸ Skin assessment color changes Answer: Flushed Skin: May indicate
fever, heat exposure, or burns.
Pale Skin: Possible sign of vasoconstriction or shock.
⫸ Skin Turgor Answer: Test for dehydration, especially in infants and
children.
Poor turgor indicates fluid loss.
, ⫸ Pupil Size and Reactivity Answer: Assesses neurological function
⫸ Pupil assessment indications Answer: Brain perfusion status
Potential head injury
Effects of drugs or toxins
⫸ Vesicular breath sounds Answer: Vesicular: Soft sounds heard over
peripheral lung areas.
⫸ Adventitious Breath Sounds Answer: Wheezes: High-pitched sounds
due to narrowed airways.
Rhonchi: Coarse sounds from mucus in larger airways.
Rales (Crackles): Popping sounds from fluid in alveoli.
⫸ Decreased Breath Sounds Answer: May indicate airway obstruction,
lung collapse, or severe asthma.
Not typically associated with cardiac conditions like tamponade.
⫸ Heart rate measurements in infants (<1 yr) Answer: Palpate the
brachial artery.
Alternatively, auscultate the apical pulse directly over the heart.
Count for a full minute for accuracy due to irregularities.
⫸ Signs of dehydration Answer: Poor Skin Turgor:
