PARAMEDIC STUDY GUIDE: KEY MEDICAL
CONCEPTS AND EMERGENCIES INSIDER ACCESS OF
2025/2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% SUCCESS
RATE
Nervous System - Body's principal control system that regulates bodily functions via electrical
impulses transmitted through nerves.
Endocrine System - Related to the nervous system, exerts control via hormones.
Circulatory System - Assists in regulatory functions by distributing hormones and chemical
messengers.
Soma - Central cell body of a neuron.
Dendrites - Receive chemical messages from other neurons which are then converted into
impulses.
Axon - Sends messages (impulses) to other neurons.
Synapse - Small gaps that separate neurons, located between the axon of one neuron and the
dendrites of another.
Axon Terminal - Buds at the end of the axon from which chemical messages (impulses) are sent.
Peripheral Nervous System - Provides nearly every organ with a double set of nerve fibers.
Sympathetic Nervous System - Adrenergic, fibers exit from thoracic and lumbar regions of spinal
cord.
,Parasympathetic Nervous System - Cholinergic, fibers exit from cranial and sacral portions of
spinal cord.
Function of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Maintain vegetative state, normal body
activities.
Function of Sympathetic Nervous System - Fight or Flight, increase body activity.
Neurotransmitter of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Acetylcholine.
Neurotransmitter of Sympathetic Nervous System - Norepinephrine.
Major Nerves of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Vagus Nerves (CN X).
Deactivating Enzyme of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Acetylcholinesterase.
Deactivating Enzymes of Sympathetic Nervous System - Monoamine Oxidase (MAO), Catechol-
o-methytransferase (COMT).
Parasympatholytic - Blocks the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system (Atropine).
Sympathomimetic - Mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (epinephrine).
Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors - Two types: Alpha 1 and Alpha 2.
Beta-Adrenergic Receptors - Two types: Beta 1 and Beta 2.
,Alpha 1 Receptors - Causes vasoconstriction, pupillary dilation, decreased renin secretion.
Beta 1 Receptors - Increased heart rate (Chronotropy) and increased contraction (Inotropy).
Beta 2 Receptors - Causes bronchodilation and vasodilation.
Selective Beta 2 Agonist - Albuterol.
Nonselective Beta 2 Agonist - Dopamine.
Selective Beta-Blocking Agents - Beta 1 - cardioselective agents - metoprolol, atenolol.
Nonselective Beta-Blocking Agents - Beta 1 and Beta 2 Blocking - labetalol, nadolol, propranolol.
Cervical Spine - 7 vertebrae.
Thoracic Spine - 12 vertebrae.
Lumbar Spine - 5 vertebrae.
Sacral Spine - 5 vertebrae.
Coccyx Spine - 4 vertebrae.
Meninges - Main job is to protect or 'PAD'.
, Pia Mater - Innermost layer, directly on CNS.
Arachnoid Mater - Middle layer, web-like (arachnoid = spider).
Dura Mater - Outermost layer ('durable').
Cranial Nerves - CN I: Olfactory: Smell, CN II: Optic: Vision, CN III: Oculomotor: eye movement,
pupillary constriction, CN IV: Trochlear: down and inward eye movement, CN V: Trigeminal: jaw
movement, CN VI: Abducens: lateral eye movement, CN VII: Facial: facial movement, CN VIII:
Vestibulocochlear: hearing and equilibrium, CN IX: Glossopharyngeal: swallow, phonation, CN X:
Vagus: parasympathetic nervous system, CN XI: Accessory: shoulder shrug, CN XII: Hypoglossal:
tongue movement.
Glasgow Coma Score - This is a must know!
Decorticate Posturing - Deep cerebral brainstem injury - flexes towards the 'cord'
Decerebrate Posturing - Deep cerebral brainstem injury (more severe than decorticate)
Eupnea - Normal respirations
Tachypnea - Increased (fast) respirations
Bradypnea - Decreased (slow) respirations
Apnea - No respirations (not breathing)
CONCEPTS AND EMERGENCIES INSIDER ACCESS OF
2025/2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% SUCCESS
RATE
Nervous System - Body's principal control system that regulates bodily functions via electrical
impulses transmitted through nerves.
Endocrine System - Related to the nervous system, exerts control via hormones.
Circulatory System - Assists in regulatory functions by distributing hormones and chemical
messengers.
Soma - Central cell body of a neuron.
Dendrites - Receive chemical messages from other neurons which are then converted into
impulses.
Axon - Sends messages (impulses) to other neurons.
Synapse - Small gaps that separate neurons, located between the axon of one neuron and the
dendrites of another.
Axon Terminal - Buds at the end of the axon from which chemical messages (impulses) are sent.
Peripheral Nervous System - Provides nearly every organ with a double set of nerve fibers.
Sympathetic Nervous System - Adrenergic, fibers exit from thoracic and lumbar regions of spinal
cord.
,Parasympathetic Nervous System - Cholinergic, fibers exit from cranial and sacral portions of
spinal cord.
Function of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Maintain vegetative state, normal body
activities.
Function of Sympathetic Nervous System - Fight or Flight, increase body activity.
Neurotransmitter of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Acetylcholine.
Neurotransmitter of Sympathetic Nervous System - Norepinephrine.
Major Nerves of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Vagus Nerves (CN X).
Deactivating Enzyme of Parasympathetic Nervous System - Acetylcholinesterase.
Deactivating Enzymes of Sympathetic Nervous System - Monoamine Oxidase (MAO), Catechol-
o-methytransferase (COMT).
Parasympatholytic - Blocks the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system (Atropine).
Sympathomimetic - Mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (epinephrine).
Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors - Two types: Alpha 1 and Alpha 2.
Beta-Adrenergic Receptors - Two types: Beta 1 and Beta 2.
,Alpha 1 Receptors - Causes vasoconstriction, pupillary dilation, decreased renin secretion.
Beta 1 Receptors - Increased heart rate (Chronotropy) and increased contraction (Inotropy).
Beta 2 Receptors - Causes bronchodilation and vasodilation.
Selective Beta 2 Agonist - Albuterol.
Nonselective Beta 2 Agonist - Dopamine.
Selective Beta-Blocking Agents - Beta 1 - cardioselective agents - metoprolol, atenolol.
Nonselective Beta-Blocking Agents - Beta 1 and Beta 2 Blocking - labetalol, nadolol, propranolol.
Cervical Spine - 7 vertebrae.
Thoracic Spine - 12 vertebrae.
Lumbar Spine - 5 vertebrae.
Sacral Spine - 5 vertebrae.
Coccyx Spine - 4 vertebrae.
Meninges - Main job is to protect or 'PAD'.
, Pia Mater - Innermost layer, directly on CNS.
Arachnoid Mater - Middle layer, web-like (arachnoid = spider).
Dura Mater - Outermost layer ('durable').
Cranial Nerves - CN I: Olfactory: Smell, CN II: Optic: Vision, CN III: Oculomotor: eye movement,
pupillary constriction, CN IV: Trochlear: down and inward eye movement, CN V: Trigeminal: jaw
movement, CN VI: Abducens: lateral eye movement, CN VII: Facial: facial movement, CN VIII:
Vestibulocochlear: hearing and equilibrium, CN IX: Glossopharyngeal: swallow, phonation, CN X:
Vagus: parasympathetic nervous system, CN XI: Accessory: shoulder shrug, CN XII: Hypoglossal:
tongue movement.
Glasgow Coma Score - This is a must know!
Decorticate Posturing - Deep cerebral brainstem injury - flexes towards the 'cord'
Decerebrate Posturing - Deep cerebral brainstem injury (more severe than decorticate)
Eupnea - Normal respirations
Tachypnea - Increased (fast) respirations
Bradypnea - Decreased (slow) respirations
Apnea - No respirations (not breathing)
