LAFD Paramedic Examination Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
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1. A 56-year-old male presents with sudden onset crushing substernal chest pain radiating
to the left arm, diaphoresis, and nausea. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II,
III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Left circumflex artery
C. Right coronary artery
D. Posterior descending artery
C. Right coronary artery
This presentation is consistent with an inferior STEMI, which is most commonly caused
by occlusion of the right coronary artery supplying the inferior wall of the heart in
most individuals.
2. A 24-year-old female presents with wheezing, hypotension, and generalized urticaria
after eating peanuts. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Albuterol
C. Epinephrine
D. Methylprednisolone
C. Epinephrine
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it rapidly reverses
airway edema, bronchospasm, and hypotension through alpha and beta adrenergic
effects.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 6 L/min. He becomes
increasingly somnolent. What is the most likely cause?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypoxic drive suppression
, C. Pneumothorax
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
B. Hypoxic drive suppression
In some COPD patients, excessive oxygen administration can reduce respiratory drive
due to reliance on hypoxia-driven ventilation.
4. A trauma patient has tracheal deviation away from the right side, absent breath sounds
on the right, and hypotension. What is the priority intervention?
A. Needle decompression
B. Intubation
C. Chest tube insertion
D. Pericardiocentesis
A. Needle decompression
These signs indicate a tension pneumothorax requiring immediate decompression to
relieve intrathoracic pressure.
5. A 68-year-old male presents with irregularly irregular pulse and no discernible P waves
on ECG. What rhythm is most likely?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus arrhythmia
C. Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregularly irregular rhythm and absence of
organized atrial activity on ECG.
6. A patient presents with pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and decreased level of
consciousness. Which toxidrome is most likely?
A. Sympathomimetic
B. Anticholinergic
C. Opioid
D. Cholinergic
C. Opioid
The classic opioid toxidrome includes CNS depression, miosis, and respiratory
depression.
7. A 30-year-old patient has a seizure lasting 8 minutes. Which medication is most
appropriate to administer first?
A. Phenytoin
B. Diazepam
, C. Phenobarbital
D. Levetiracetam
B. Diazepam
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are first-line agents for acute seizure termination.
8. A patient has a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL and is unconscious. What is the best
intervention if IV access is available?
A. Glucagon IM
B. Dextrose IV
C. Insulin IV
D. Normal saline bolus
B. Dextrose IV
IV dextrose rapidly corrects hypoglycemia in patients with established intravenous
access.
9. A patient is found pulseless with ventricular fibrillation on the monitor. What is the
immediate next step?
A. Administer amiodarone
B. Defibrillate
C. Start epinephrine infusion
D. Intubate
B. Defibrillate
Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to
restore organized cardiac activity.
10. A patient presents with crushing chest pain and ST elevation in V1–V4. Which area of the
heart is affected?
A. Inferior wall
B. Lateral wall
C. Anterior wall
D. Posterior wall
C. Anterior wall
ST elevation in V1–V4 indicates anterior wall myocardial infarction, typically involving
the LAD artery.
11. A 45-year-old male has severe flank pain radiating to the groin. He is restless and unable
to find a comfortable position. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Appendicitis
B. Renal colic
C. Pancreatitis
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 56-year-old male presents with sudden onset crushing substernal chest pain radiating
to the left arm, diaphoresis, and nausea. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II,
III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Left circumflex artery
C. Right coronary artery
D. Posterior descending artery
C. Right coronary artery
This presentation is consistent with an inferior STEMI, which is most commonly caused
by occlusion of the right coronary artery supplying the inferior wall of the heart in
most individuals.
2. A 24-year-old female presents with wheezing, hypotension, and generalized urticaria
after eating peanuts. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Albuterol
C. Epinephrine
D. Methylprednisolone
C. Epinephrine
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it rapidly reverses
airway edema, bronchospasm, and hypotension through alpha and beta adrenergic
effects.
3. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 6 L/min. He becomes
increasingly somnolent. What is the most likely cause?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypoxic drive suppression
, C. Pneumothorax
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
B. Hypoxic drive suppression
In some COPD patients, excessive oxygen administration can reduce respiratory drive
due to reliance on hypoxia-driven ventilation.
4. A trauma patient has tracheal deviation away from the right side, absent breath sounds
on the right, and hypotension. What is the priority intervention?
A. Needle decompression
B. Intubation
C. Chest tube insertion
D. Pericardiocentesis
A. Needle decompression
These signs indicate a tension pneumothorax requiring immediate decompression to
relieve intrathoracic pressure.
5. A 68-year-old male presents with irregularly irregular pulse and no discernible P waves
on ECG. What rhythm is most likely?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus arrhythmia
C. Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregularly irregular rhythm and absence of
organized atrial activity on ECG.
6. A patient presents with pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and decreased level of
consciousness. Which toxidrome is most likely?
A. Sympathomimetic
B. Anticholinergic
C. Opioid
D. Cholinergic
C. Opioid
The classic opioid toxidrome includes CNS depression, miosis, and respiratory
depression.
7. A 30-year-old patient has a seizure lasting 8 minutes. Which medication is most
appropriate to administer first?
A. Phenytoin
B. Diazepam
, C. Phenobarbital
D. Levetiracetam
B. Diazepam
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are first-line agents for acute seizure termination.
8. A patient has a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL and is unconscious. What is the best
intervention if IV access is available?
A. Glucagon IM
B. Dextrose IV
C. Insulin IV
D. Normal saline bolus
B. Dextrose IV
IV dextrose rapidly corrects hypoglycemia in patients with established intravenous
access.
9. A patient is found pulseless with ventricular fibrillation on the monitor. What is the
immediate next step?
A. Administer amiodarone
B. Defibrillate
C. Start epinephrine infusion
D. Intubate
B. Defibrillate
Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation to
restore organized cardiac activity.
10. A patient presents with crushing chest pain and ST elevation in V1–V4. Which area of the
heart is affected?
A. Inferior wall
B. Lateral wall
C. Anterior wall
D. Posterior wall
C. Anterior wall
ST elevation in V1–V4 indicates anterior wall myocardial infarction, typically involving
the LAD artery.
11. A 45-year-old male has severe flank pain radiating to the groin. He is restless and unable
to find a comfortable position. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Appendicitis
B. Renal colic
C. Pancreatitis
