FISDAP PARAMEDIC EXAM SCRIPT 2026
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
▶ The nurse is monitoring a client with hypoglycemia. Glucagon provides
which function?
A) It enhances the activity of insulin, restoring blood glucose levels to
normal more quickly after a high-calorie meal.
B) It prevents hypoglycemia by promoting release of glucose from liver
storage sites.
C) It is a storage form of glucose and can be broken down for energy when
blood glucose levels are low.
D) It converts excess glucose into glycogen, lowering blood glucose levels
in times of excess.. Answer: B
Glycogen is a counterregulatory hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the
pancreas when blood glucose levels are low. The actions of glycogen that
raise blood glucose levels include stimulating the liver to break down
glycogen (glycogenolysis) and forming new glucose from protein
breakdown (gluconeogenesis). The other statements are not accurate
descriptions of the actions of glucagon.
▶ A client has a deep wound covered with a wet-to-damp dressing. Which
intervention does the nurse include on this client's care plan?
A) Apply a new dressing when the seal breaks and the dressing leaks.
B) Change the dressing when the current dressing is saturated.
C) Leave the dressing intact until next week.
D) Change the dressing every 6 hours around the clock.. Answer: D
Wet-to-damp dressings are changed every 4 to 6 hours to provide
maximum débridement. Synthetic dressings can be left in place for
extended periods of time but need to be changed if the seal breaks and the
exudate is leaking. Dry gauze dressings should be changed when the outer
layer becomes saturated.
,▶ A client is hospitalized with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which clinical
manifestation alerts the nurse to the possibility of a complication from the
UTI?
A) Hematuria
B) Fever and chills
C) Cloudy, dark urine
D) Burning on urination. Answer: B
Lower urinary tract infections are rarely associated with systemic symptoms
of fever and chills. A client with a UTI who develops fever and chills should
be assessed for the development of pyelonephritis. The other options can
be seen with UTI.
▶ The nurse observes a small opening that is draining purulent material on
the skin over the trochanter area of a bedridden client. Which is the nurse's
next best action?
A) Probe for a larger pocket of necrotic tissue.
B) Apply alginate dressing daily.
C) Apply a transparent film dressing.
D) Measure the reddened area on the skin surface.. Answer: A
This "hidden" wound may first be observed as a small opening in the skin
through which purulent drainage exudes. Applying a transparent film
dressing would not help this type of wound to heal. Measuring the
reddened area would not assist in determining the actual size of the wound,
because internal damage has occurred. Alginate dressings could not be
applied if the area were not opened.
▶ When reviewing an older client's medical record, which findings lead the
nurse to perform a nutrition assessment? (Select all that apply.)
A) Widow/widower status
B) Chronic constipation
C) Cholecystectomy 4 years ago
D) Random blood sugar level of 198 mg/dL
E) History of depression
F) Inability to afford a new pair of glasses. Answer: A,B,E,F
, Many factors contribute to malnutrition in older clients. Depression and
loneliness from the loss of a spouse; constipation; poor eyesight; chronic
medical problems, including depression; and taking prescription and/or
over-the-counter medications can contribute to malnutrition. Blood glucose
levels and a previous cholecystectomy would not necessarily contribute.
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and
weighs 115 pounds. The client asks the nurse if she needs to lose weight.
Which response by the nurse is best?
A) "No. In fact, your body mass index suggests that you are already
underweight."
B) "Yes. Your body mass index suggests you are slightly overweight."
C) "Your weight is just fine. Don't worry about it."
D) "Maybe. Let's look at your risks for cardiovascular disease.". Answer: A
The client's body mass index (BMI) is 18.0, so she is already underweight.
It is inaccurate to tell the client she is overweight, and it is unnecessary to
consider her weight in light of any cardiovascular risk factors. The nurse
should not reassure the client that her weight is just fine because she is
underweight.
▶ A client who has type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide (Glucotrol).
Which precautions does the nurse include in the teaching plan related to
this medication?
A) "Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs."
B) "Change positions slowly when you get up."
C) "If you miss a dose of this drug, you can double the next dose."
D) "Discontinue the medication if you develop an infection.". Answer: A
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs potentiate the hypoglycemic effects of
sulfonylurea agents. Glipizide is a sulfonylurea. The other statements are
not applicable to glipizide.
▶ The nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke. Which nursing
intervention does the nurse implement during the first 72 hours to prevent
complications?
A) Position with the head of the bed flat to enhance cerebral perfusion.
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
▶ The nurse is monitoring a client with hypoglycemia. Glucagon provides
which function?
A) It enhances the activity of insulin, restoring blood glucose levels to
normal more quickly after a high-calorie meal.
B) It prevents hypoglycemia by promoting release of glucose from liver
storage sites.
C) It is a storage form of glucose and can be broken down for energy when
blood glucose levels are low.
D) It converts excess glucose into glycogen, lowering blood glucose levels
in times of excess.. Answer: B
Glycogen is a counterregulatory hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the
pancreas when blood glucose levels are low. The actions of glycogen that
raise blood glucose levels include stimulating the liver to break down
glycogen (glycogenolysis) and forming new glucose from protein
breakdown (gluconeogenesis). The other statements are not accurate
descriptions of the actions of glucagon.
▶ A client has a deep wound covered with a wet-to-damp dressing. Which
intervention does the nurse include on this client's care plan?
A) Apply a new dressing when the seal breaks and the dressing leaks.
B) Change the dressing when the current dressing is saturated.
C) Leave the dressing intact until next week.
D) Change the dressing every 6 hours around the clock.. Answer: D
Wet-to-damp dressings are changed every 4 to 6 hours to provide
maximum débridement. Synthetic dressings can be left in place for
extended periods of time but need to be changed if the seal breaks and the
exudate is leaking. Dry gauze dressings should be changed when the outer
layer becomes saturated.
,▶ A client is hospitalized with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which clinical
manifestation alerts the nurse to the possibility of a complication from the
UTI?
A) Hematuria
B) Fever and chills
C) Cloudy, dark urine
D) Burning on urination. Answer: B
Lower urinary tract infections are rarely associated with systemic symptoms
of fever and chills. A client with a UTI who develops fever and chills should
be assessed for the development of pyelonephritis. The other options can
be seen with UTI.
▶ The nurse observes a small opening that is draining purulent material on
the skin over the trochanter area of a bedridden client. Which is the nurse's
next best action?
A) Probe for a larger pocket of necrotic tissue.
B) Apply alginate dressing daily.
C) Apply a transparent film dressing.
D) Measure the reddened area on the skin surface.. Answer: A
This "hidden" wound may first be observed as a small opening in the skin
through which purulent drainage exudes. Applying a transparent film
dressing would not help this type of wound to heal. Measuring the
reddened area would not assist in determining the actual size of the wound,
because internal damage has occurred. Alginate dressings could not be
applied if the area were not opened.
▶ When reviewing an older client's medical record, which findings lead the
nurse to perform a nutrition assessment? (Select all that apply.)
A) Widow/widower status
B) Chronic constipation
C) Cholecystectomy 4 years ago
D) Random blood sugar level of 198 mg/dL
E) History of depression
F) Inability to afford a new pair of glasses. Answer: A,B,E,F
, Many factors contribute to malnutrition in older clients. Depression and
loneliness from the loss of a spouse; constipation; poor eyesight; chronic
medical problems, including depression; and taking prescription and/or
over-the-counter medications can contribute to malnutrition. Blood glucose
levels and a previous cholecystectomy would not necessarily contribute.
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and
weighs 115 pounds. The client asks the nurse if she needs to lose weight.
Which response by the nurse is best?
A) "No. In fact, your body mass index suggests that you are already
underweight."
B) "Yes. Your body mass index suggests you are slightly overweight."
C) "Your weight is just fine. Don't worry about it."
D) "Maybe. Let's look at your risks for cardiovascular disease.". Answer: A
The client's body mass index (BMI) is 18.0, so she is already underweight.
It is inaccurate to tell the client she is overweight, and it is unnecessary to
consider her weight in light of any cardiovascular risk factors. The nurse
should not reassure the client that her weight is just fine because she is
underweight.
▶ A client who has type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide (Glucotrol).
Which precautions does the nurse include in the teaching plan related to
this medication?
A) "Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs."
B) "Change positions slowly when you get up."
C) "If you miss a dose of this drug, you can double the next dose."
D) "Discontinue the medication if you develop an infection.". Answer: A
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs potentiate the hypoglycemic effects of
sulfonylurea agents. Glipizide is a sulfonylurea. The other statements are
not applicable to glipizide.
▶ The nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke. Which nursing
intervention does the nurse implement during the first 72 hours to prevent
complications?
A) Position with the head of the bed flat to enhance cerebral perfusion.
