FLORIDA PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATION EXAM
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT 200 MULTIPLE-CHOICE
TEST QUESTIONS WITH KEY ANSWERS AND WELL
ELABORATED RATIONALES\2026 STUDY GUIDE
FINAL REVIEW PRACTICE MOCK EXAM (RELIABLE
ANSWERS) LATEST VERSION
SECTION ONE: AIRWAY, RESPIRATION, AND VENTILATION
1. Which maneuver is most appropriate for a suspected cervical spine
injury when the patient is unconscious?
A) Head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Jaw-thrust
C) Reverse-Trendelenburg
D) Valsalva maneuver
B) Jaw-thrust
Jaw-thrust opens the airway while minimizing neck movement,
protecting a potential C-spine injury.
,2. The primary purpose of a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is to:
A) Provide definitive airway
B) Deliver medication intranasally
C) Maintain patency in an unconscious patient with an intact gag reflex
D) Replace an endotracheal tube after intubation
C) Maintain patency in an unconscious patient with an intact gag
reflex
An NPA is used when the patient lacks a gag reflex but is not fully
intubated, allowing airflow without stimulating gag.
3. Which of the following best describes the physiological effect of
positive pressure ventilation via a BVM?
A) Increases functional residual capacity
B) Decreases alveolar ventilation
C) Reduces cardiac output by increasing intrathoracic pressure
D) Promotes bronchodilation via beta-agonist effect
C) Reduces cardiac output by increasing intrathoracic pressure
Positive pressure raises intrathoracic pressure, which can impede
venous return and lower cardiac output.
,4. A patient with severe asthma is receiving CPAP at 10 cm H₂O. The
most likely benefit is:
A) Decreasing airway resistance by stenting open collapsed bronchi
B) Increasing tidal volume by delivering higher FiO₂
C) Reducing respiratory rate through sedation
D) Eliminating the need for bronchodilators
A) Decreasing airway resistance by stenting open collapsed bronchi
CPAP provides continuous positive pressure that helps keep small
airways open, reducing resistance.
5. Which capnography waveform pattern indicates a rapid shallow
breathing pattern?
A) Low, square-wave EtCO₂ with a small tidal volume peak
B) High, prolonged plateau with increased alveolar slope
C) Normal sinusoidal shape with a steady rise and fall
D) No waveform (flat line)
A) Low, square-wave EtCO₂ with a small tidal volume peak
, Shallow breaths produce low tidal volumes, resulting in a low-
amplitude, square-wave EtCO₂ trace.
6. In a patient with suspected tension pneumothorax, the immediate
treatment is:
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular
line
B) Chest tube insertion in the 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C) Immediate intubation with a cuffed tube
D) Administration of high-flow oxygen only
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular
line
Needle decompression relieves the pressure and allows the lung to re-
expand; it is a life-saving intervention for tension pneumothorax.
7. Which airway adjunct is most appropriate for an unconscious
patient without a gag reflex?
A) Nasopharyngeal airway
B) Oropharyngeal airway
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT 200 MULTIPLE-CHOICE
TEST QUESTIONS WITH KEY ANSWERS AND WELL
ELABORATED RATIONALES\2026 STUDY GUIDE
FINAL REVIEW PRACTICE MOCK EXAM (RELIABLE
ANSWERS) LATEST VERSION
SECTION ONE: AIRWAY, RESPIRATION, AND VENTILATION
1. Which maneuver is most appropriate for a suspected cervical spine
injury when the patient is unconscious?
A) Head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Jaw-thrust
C) Reverse-Trendelenburg
D) Valsalva maneuver
B) Jaw-thrust
Jaw-thrust opens the airway while minimizing neck movement,
protecting a potential C-spine injury.
,2. The primary purpose of a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is to:
A) Provide definitive airway
B) Deliver medication intranasally
C) Maintain patency in an unconscious patient with an intact gag reflex
D) Replace an endotracheal tube after intubation
C) Maintain patency in an unconscious patient with an intact gag
reflex
An NPA is used when the patient lacks a gag reflex but is not fully
intubated, allowing airflow without stimulating gag.
3. Which of the following best describes the physiological effect of
positive pressure ventilation via a BVM?
A) Increases functional residual capacity
B) Decreases alveolar ventilation
C) Reduces cardiac output by increasing intrathoracic pressure
D) Promotes bronchodilation via beta-agonist effect
C) Reduces cardiac output by increasing intrathoracic pressure
Positive pressure raises intrathoracic pressure, which can impede
venous return and lower cardiac output.
,4. A patient with severe asthma is receiving CPAP at 10 cm H₂O. The
most likely benefit is:
A) Decreasing airway resistance by stenting open collapsed bronchi
B) Increasing tidal volume by delivering higher FiO₂
C) Reducing respiratory rate through sedation
D) Eliminating the need for bronchodilators
A) Decreasing airway resistance by stenting open collapsed bronchi
CPAP provides continuous positive pressure that helps keep small
airways open, reducing resistance.
5. Which capnography waveform pattern indicates a rapid shallow
breathing pattern?
A) Low, square-wave EtCO₂ with a small tidal volume peak
B) High, prolonged plateau with increased alveolar slope
C) Normal sinusoidal shape with a steady rise and fall
D) No waveform (flat line)
A) Low, square-wave EtCO₂ with a small tidal volume peak
, Shallow breaths produce low tidal volumes, resulting in a low-
amplitude, square-wave EtCO₂ trace.
6. In a patient with suspected tension pneumothorax, the immediate
treatment is:
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular
line
B) Chest tube insertion in the 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C) Immediate intubation with a cuffed tube
D) Administration of high-flow oxygen only
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular
line
Needle decompression relieves the pressure and allows the lung to re-
expand; it is a life-saving intervention for tension pneumothorax.
7. Which airway adjunct is most appropriate for an unconscious
patient without a gag reflex?
A) Nasopharyngeal airway
B) Oropharyngeal airway
