San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
SAN DIEGO COUNTY EMS PROTOCOLS - FALCK | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | LATEST 2026/2027
San Diego County EMS Protocols (Falck Test
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO EMS TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
FALCK PROTOCOL
1. Under the 2026–2027 San Diego County protocol cycle, on what date
did the current treatment protocols take effect?
A. July 1, 2026
B. January 1, 2026
C. May 1, 2026
D. October 1, 2026
ANSWER : A. July 1, 2026
County treatment protocols run on a July 1 cycle; the 2026–2027 set
became effective July 1, 2026, after release of the changelog in May.
Page 1 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
2. Which category was added to the BLS/ALS transport criteria in S-100
for 2026–2027?
A. Minor allergic reactions with skin signs only
B. Isolated extremity fractures
C. Obstetrical emergencies such as active labor or suspected
preeclampsia/eclampsia
D. Uncomplicated hyperglycemia
ANSWER : C. Obstetrical emergencies such as active labor or
suspected preeclampsia/eclampsia
S-100 now lists obstetrical emergencies, including active labor and
suspected preeclampsia/eclampsia, under the transport criteria.
3. Which perilaryngeal airway is the approved option in San Diego
County after the 2026–2027 update?
A. Laryngeal mask airway Classic
B. Combitube
C. i-gel supraglottic airway
D. King LT retroglottic airway
ANSWER : C. i-gel supraglottic airway
The King Airway was removed from the glossary, ALS inventory and skills
list, leaving the i-gel as the perilaryngeal airway option.
4. What change was made to pulse oximetry on BLS ambulances in S-
103?
A. It moved from an optional item to a required item, with adult and
pediatric/infant probes
B. It became required only for interfacility transports
C. It is now required only on ALS units
D. It was removed entirely from BLS units
ANSWER : A. It moved from an optional item to a required item,
with adult and pediatric/infant probes
An SpO2 monitoring device with one adult probe and one pediatric/infant
probe is now a BLS requirement rather than optional equipment.
Page 2 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
5. Which medication was added to the ALS replaceable medication
inventory in 2026–2027?
A. Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL
B. Diltiazem 25 mg
C. Labetalol 20 mg
D. Hydralazine 20 mg
ANSWER : A. Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL
Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL, par level 1, was added to support the
new preeclampsia and eclampsia treatment.
6. After the S-103 revision, which stylet size remains in the ALS adult
airway inventory?
A. 10 French
B. 6 French
C. 14 French
D. 8 French
ANSWER : C. 14 French
The stylet line was revised from 6 and 14 French to 14 French only.
7. Under the updated S-104 skills list, when may an EMT or AEMT apply
CPAP?
A. Any time the EMT judges respiratory distress present
B. When directed by an on-scene paramedic after assessment shows a
clinical need
C. Only with direct base hospital physician order
D. EMTs are never permitted to apply CPAP
ANSWER : B. When directed by an on-scene paramedic after
assessment shows a clinical need
The 2026–2027 notes allow EMTs/AEMTs to perform CPAP when an on-
scene paramedic directs it after assessment.
Page 3 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
8. Regarding a PEEP valve on a BVM, what may an EMT do under the
revised skills list?
A. Ventilate with PEEP in place but never adjust it
B. Ventilate with the PEEP valve in place and adjust settings when
directed by an on-scene paramedic
C. Remove the valve whenever ventilation is difficult
D. Set PEEP independently up to 20 cmH2O
ANSWER : B. Ventilate with the PEEP valve in place and adjust
settings when directed by an on-scene paramedic
The note was revised so EMTs/AEMTs may adjust PEEP settings when a
paramedic on scene directs them.
9. How much should be aspirated from an indwelling vascular device or
dialysis catheter before infusing?
A. 20 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 1 mL
ANSWER : B. 5 mL
These devices hold a concentrated heparin lock, so 5 mL is aspirated first
to avoid giving the heparin as a bolus.
10. In P-115, what does a GREEN medication color code indicate?
A. Authorized only during declared disasters
B. Authorized by state regulation and local protocol
C. Not authorized
D. Authorized by the LEMSA Medical Director under local optional scope
ANSWER : B. Authorized by state regulation and local protocol
Green means authorized by state regulation and local protocol; yellow is
local optional scope and red is not authorized.
Page 4 of 56
SAN DIEGO COUNTY EMS PROTOCOLS - FALCK | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | LATEST 2026/2027
San Diego County EMS Protocols (Falck Test
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO EMS TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
FALCK PROTOCOL
1. Under the 2026–2027 San Diego County protocol cycle, on what date
did the current treatment protocols take effect?
A. July 1, 2026
B. January 1, 2026
C. May 1, 2026
D. October 1, 2026
ANSWER : A. July 1, 2026
County treatment protocols run on a July 1 cycle; the 2026–2027 set
became effective July 1, 2026, after release of the changelog in May.
Page 1 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
2. Which category was added to the BLS/ALS transport criteria in S-100
for 2026–2027?
A. Minor allergic reactions with skin signs only
B. Isolated extremity fractures
C. Obstetrical emergencies such as active labor or suspected
preeclampsia/eclampsia
D. Uncomplicated hyperglycemia
ANSWER : C. Obstetrical emergencies such as active labor or
suspected preeclampsia/eclampsia
S-100 now lists obstetrical emergencies, including active labor and
suspected preeclampsia/eclampsia, under the transport criteria.
3. Which perilaryngeal airway is the approved option in San Diego
County after the 2026–2027 update?
A. Laryngeal mask airway Classic
B. Combitube
C. i-gel supraglottic airway
D. King LT retroglottic airway
ANSWER : C. i-gel supraglottic airway
The King Airway was removed from the glossary, ALS inventory and skills
list, leaving the i-gel as the perilaryngeal airway option.
4. What change was made to pulse oximetry on BLS ambulances in S-
103?
A. It moved from an optional item to a required item, with adult and
pediatric/infant probes
B. It became required only for interfacility transports
C. It is now required only on ALS units
D. It was removed entirely from BLS units
ANSWER : A. It moved from an optional item to a required item,
with adult and pediatric/infant probes
An SpO2 monitoring device with one adult probe and one pediatric/infant
probe is now a BLS requirement rather than optional equipment.
Page 2 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
5. Which medication was added to the ALS replaceable medication
inventory in 2026–2027?
A. Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL
B. Diltiazem 25 mg
C. Labetalol 20 mg
D. Hydralazine 20 mg
ANSWER : A. Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL
Magnesium sulfate 5 gm/10 mL, par level 1, was added to support the
new preeclampsia and eclampsia treatment.
6. After the S-103 revision, which stylet size remains in the ALS adult
airway inventory?
A. 10 French
B. 6 French
C. 14 French
D. 8 French
ANSWER : C. 14 French
The stylet line was revised from 6 and 14 French to 14 French only.
7. Under the updated S-104 skills list, when may an EMT or AEMT apply
CPAP?
A. Any time the EMT judges respiratory distress present
B. When directed by an on-scene paramedic after assessment shows a
clinical need
C. Only with direct base hospital physician order
D. EMTs are never permitted to apply CPAP
ANSWER : B. When directed by an on-scene paramedic after
assessment shows a clinical need
The 2026–2027 notes allow EMTs/AEMTs to perform CPAP when an on-
scene paramedic directs it after assessment.
Page 3 of 56
, San Diego County EMS Protocols – Falck
8. Regarding a PEEP valve on a BVM, what may an EMT do under the
revised skills list?
A. Ventilate with PEEP in place but never adjust it
B. Ventilate with the PEEP valve in place and adjust settings when
directed by an on-scene paramedic
C. Remove the valve whenever ventilation is difficult
D. Set PEEP independently up to 20 cmH2O
ANSWER : B. Ventilate with the PEEP valve in place and adjust
settings when directed by an on-scene paramedic
The note was revised so EMTs/AEMTs may adjust PEEP settings when a
paramedic on scene directs them.
9. How much should be aspirated from an indwelling vascular device or
dialysis catheter before infusing?
A. 20 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 1 mL
ANSWER : B. 5 mL
These devices hold a concentrated heparin lock, so 5 mL is aspirated first
to avoid giving the heparin as a bolus.
10. In P-115, what does a GREEN medication color code indicate?
A. Authorized only during declared disasters
B. Authorized by state regulation and local protocol
C. Not authorized
D. Authorized by the LEMSA Medical Director under local optional scope
ANSWER : B. Authorized by state regulation and local protocol
Green means authorized by state regulation and local protocol; yellow is
local optional scope and red is not authorized.
Page 4 of 56