LA COUNTY PARAMEDIC ACCREDITATION
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER✔✨-S GRADED A+ REAL EXAM!!!
Question 1
Which of the following is a reason for a hospital to divert a BLS unit?
A) Hospital is on diversion status for all ambulance traffic
B) Hospital has reached maximum capacity in the emergency department
C) BLS units transport to a MAR REGARDLESS of diversion status with the exception of internal disaster
D) Hospital is experiencing a staffing shortage
ANSWER✔✨-: C) BLS units transport to a MAR REGARDLESS of diversion status with the exception of
internal disaster
Rationale: BLS units in LA County must transport to the most appropriate receiving facility (MAR)
regardless of diversion status. The only exception is when the hospital is experiencing an internal
disaster. Diversion status does not apply to BLS units as they are required to follow MAR protocols.
Option A is incorrect because diversion status does not prevent BLS transport. Option B is incorrect
because capacity issues do not override MAR requirements for BLS units. Option D is incorrect because
staffing shortages do not constitute a valid reason to divert BLS units.
Question 2
When should a paramedic report abuse of a dependent adult or child?
A) Only when there is physical evidence of abuse
B) When there is reasonable SUSPICION that abuse has occurred
C) Only after consulting with a supervisor
,D) When the victim requests that a report be filed
ANSWER✔✨-: B) When there is reasonable SUSPICION that abuse has occurred
Rationale: California law mandates that healthcare providers, including paramedics, report suspected
abuse when there is reasonable suspicion. You do not need definitive proof or physical evidence. Option
A is incorrect because physical evidence is not required to make a report. Option C is incorrect because
reporting is mandatory and should not be delayed for consultation. Option D is incorrect because
reporting is required regardless of victim consent.
Question 3
When transporting a patient with a gunshot wound to the abdomen who goes into CARDIAC ARREST
during transport, where should you transport?
A) Nearest hospital
B) Trauma Center
C) Community hospital
D) Stop transport and pronounce death in the field
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Trauma Center
Rationale: Patients with penetrating trauma who arrest during transport should still be transported to a
Trauma Center as they may have reversible causes of arrest that require surgical intervention. Option A
is incorrect because the nearest hospital may not have surgical capabilities. Option C is incorrect
because community hospitals lack trauma surgical teams. Option D is incorrect because penetrating
trauma arrests may be salvageable with immediate surgical intervention.
Question 4
What is the most accurate description of a MAR?
A) The closest hospital to the patient's location
B) A facility MOST appropriate to suite the patients' needs and chief complaint
,C) Any hospital that accepts ambulance patients
D) The hospital where the patient has insurance coverage
ANSWER✔✨-: B) A facility MOST appropriate to suite the patients' needs and chief complaint
Rationale: MAR (Most Appropriate Receiving facility) is determined by matching the patient's clinical
needs with available hospital capabilities. Option A is incorrect because proximity alone does not
determine appropriateness. Option C is incorrect because not all hospitals are appropriate for all patient
conditions. Option D is incorrect because insurance coverage is not a factor in MAR determination.
Question 5
What must you assess in order to pronounce death in the field?
A) Carotid pulse for 30 seconds
B) Apical pulse for 60 seconds
C) Radial pulse for 45 seconds
D) Femoral pulse for 15 seconds
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Apical pulse for 60 seconds
Rationale: LA County protocols require assessment of the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds to confirm
absence of cardiac activity. Option A is incorrect because 30 seconds is insufficient time. Option C is
incorrect because radial pulse may be absent in peripheral shutdown. Option D is incorrect because 15
seconds is inadequate for determination.
Question 6
What is required to function as a paramedic or MICN in LA County?
A) Only a current California state license
B) Employed with an approved LA County provider and possess a current CA state license
C) Completion of an internship program
, D) National Registry certification only
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Employed with an approved LA County provider and possess a current CA state
license
Rationale: LA County requires paramedics and MICNs to be employed by an approved provider and hold
a valid California state license. Option A is incorrect because employment with an approved provider is
also required. Option C is incorrect because internship alone is not sufficient. Option D is incorrect
because National Registry certification without state licensure and county approval is insufficient.
Question 7
What is the maximum time allowed for scene time in a cardiac arrest patient?
A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
ANSWER✔✨-: C) 20 minutes
Rationale: LA County protocols recommend limiting scene time for cardiac arrest patients to 20 minutes
to facilitate rapid transport to a receiving facility. Option A is incorrect because 10 minutes is too short
for adequate resuscitation efforts. Option B is incorrect because 15 minutes may not allow for full
protocol implementation. Option D is incorrect because 30 minutes exceeds the recommended scene
time.
Question 8
Which of the following patients should be transported to a STEMI receiving center?
A) Patient with chest pain and normal ECG
B) Patient with ST elevation in two contiguous leads
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER✔✨-S GRADED A+ REAL EXAM!!!
Question 1
Which of the following is a reason for a hospital to divert a BLS unit?
A) Hospital is on diversion status for all ambulance traffic
B) Hospital has reached maximum capacity in the emergency department
C) BLS units transport to a MAR REGARDLESS of diversion status with the exception of internal disaster
D) Hospital is experiencing a staffing shortage
ANSWER✔✨-: C) BLS units transport to a MAR REGARDLESS of diversion status with the exception of
internal disaster
Rationale: BLS units in LA County must transport to the most appropriate receiving facility (MAR)
regardless of diversion status. The only exception is when the hospital is experiencing an internal
disaster. Diversion status does not apply to BLS units as they are required to follow MAR protocols.
Option A is incorrect because diversion status does not prevent BLS transport. Option B is incorrect
because capacity issues do not override MAR requirements for BLS units. Option D is incorrect because
staffing shortages do not constitute a valid reason to divert BLS units.
Question 2
When should a paramedic report abuse of a dependent adult or child?
A) Only when there is physical evidence of abuse
B) When there is reasonable SUSPICION that abuse has occurred
C) Only after consulting with a supervisor
,D) When the victim requests that a report be filed
ANSWER✔✨-: B) When there is reasonable SUSPICION that abuse has occurred
Rationale: California law mandates that healthcare providers, including paramedics, report suspected
abuse when there is reasonable suspicion. You do not need definitive proof or physical evidence. Option
A is incorrect because physical evidence is not required to make a report. Option C is incorrect because
reporting is mandatory and should not be delayed for consultation. Option D is incorrect because
reporting is required regardless of victim consent.
Question 3
When transporting a patient with a gunshot wound to the abdomen who goes into CARDIAC ARREST
during transport, where should you transport?
A) Nearest hospital
B) Trauma Center
C) Community hospital
D) Stop transport and pronounce death in the field
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Trauma Center
Rationale: Patients with penetrating trauma who arrest during transport should still be transported to a
Trauma Center as they may have reversible causes of arrest that require surgical intervention. Option A
is incorrect because the nearest hospital may not have surgical capabilities. Option C is incorrect
because community hospitals lack trauma surgical teams. Option D is incorrect because penetrating
trauma arrests may be salvageable with immediate surgical intervention.
Question 4
What is the most accurate description of a MAR?
A) The closest hospital to the patient's location
B) A facility MOST appropriate to suite the patients' needs and chief complaint
,C) Any hospital that accepts ambulance patients
D) The hospital where the patient has insurance coverage
ANSWER✔✨-: B) A facility MOST appropriate to suite the patients' needs and chief complaint
Rationale: MAR (Most Appropriate Receiving facility) is determined by matching the patient's clinical
needs with available hospital capabilities. Option A is incorrect because proximity alone does not
determine appropriateness. Option C is incorrect because not all hospitals are appropriate for all patient
conditions. Option D is incorrect because insurance coverage is not a factor in MAR determination.
Question 5
What must you assess in order to pronounce death in the field?
A) Carotid pulse for 30 seconds
B) Apical pulse for 60 seconds
C) Radial pulse for 45 seconds
D) Femoral pulse for 15 seconds
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Apical pulse for 60 seconds
Rationale: LA County protocols require assessment of the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds to confirm
absence of cardiac activity. Option A is incorrect because 30 seconds is insufficient time. Option C is
incorrect because radial pulse may be absent in peripheral shutdown. Option D is incorrect because 15
seconds is inadequate for determination.
Question 6
What is required to function as a paramedic or MICN in LA County?
A) Only a current California state license
B) Employed with an approved LA County provider and possess a current CA state license
C) Completion of an internship program
, D) National Registry certification only
ANSWER✔✨-: B) Employed with an approved LA County provider and possess a current CA state
license
Rationale: LA County requires paramedics and MICNs to be employed by an approved provider and hold
a valid California state license. Option A is incorrect because employment with an approved provider is
also required. Option C is incorrect because internship alone is not sufficient. Option D is incorrect
because National Registry certification without state licensure and county approval is insufficient.
Question 7
What is the maximum time allowed for scene time in a cardiac arrest patient?
A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
ANSWER✔✨-: C) 20 minutes
Rationale: LA County protocols recommend limiting scene time for cardiac arrest patients to 20 minutes
to facilitate rapid transport to a receiving facility. Option A is incorrect because 10 minutes is too short
for adequate resuscitation efforts. Option B is incorrect because 15 minutes may not allow for full
protocol implementation. Option D is incorrect because 30 minutes exceeds the recommended scene
time.
Question 8
Which of the following patients should be transported to a STEMI receiving center?
A) Patient with chest pain and normal ECG
B) Patient with ST elevation in two contiguous leads
