Florida Paramedic Certification Exam Test
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A 56-year-old male with sudden onset chest pain becomes unresponsive
and has no palpable pulse. After calling for ALS backup, you should first:
A. Check blood glucose.
B. Begin high-quality CPR (chest compressions).
C. Give 324 mg aspirin PO.
D. Place a nasopharyngeal airway.
High-quality chest compressions are the immediate priority in cardiac
arrest to maintain perfusion while other interventions are prepared.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests a tension pneumothorax in a trauma
patient?
A. Bilateral breath sounds equal.
B. Slowly improving oxygen saturation with oxygen.
C. Jugular venous distention with tracheal deviation away from the
injured side.
D. Productive cough with hemoptysis.
Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure → JVD and
tracheal deviation as intrathoracic structures shift.
,3. A paramedic anticipates intubation difficulty when the patient has:
A. Full range of neck motion and loose teeth.
B. Limited mouth opening and a large tongue (Mallampati IV).
C. Normal airway anatomy and cooperative patient.
D. Short neck with ability to extend.
Limited mouth opening and a high Mallampati score predict a difficult
laryngoscopy and intubation.
4. For a patient with suspected opioid overdose and respiratory depression,
naloxone administration should be titrated because:
A. It permanently reverses all opioid effects.
B. It causes immediate long-term seizure risk.
C. Rapid full reversal may precipitate acute withdrawal and agitation;
titration restores adequate ventilation while minimizing withdrawal.
D. It has no effect on ventilation.
Titrated naloxone balances restoration of adequate respirations with
avoiding sudden severe withdrawal.
5. In an adult with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the
earliest prehospital action that improves outcome is:
A. Administering IV fluids.
B. Obtaining and transmitting a 12-lead ECG to receiving hospital.
C. Giving morphine routinely.
D. Waiting for hospital to give aspirin.
Early 12-lead ECG and hospital notification speed reperfusion decisions
(PCI/thrombolysis) and improve outcomes.
,6. A 22-year-old with severe anaphylaxis and hypotension should receive first-
line:
A. Diphenhydramine IV.
B. Albuterol nebulization only.
C. Intramuscular epinephrine (0.3–0.5 mg of 1:1,000).
D. IV hydrocortisone only.
IM epinephrine is the immediate life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis to
reverse bronchospasm and vasodilation.
7. Which ECG rhythm requires immediate synchronized cardioversion if the
patient is hypotensive and unstable?
A. Sinus bradycardia.
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with pulse and hypotension.
D. Atrial fibrillation with controlled rate.
Unstable monomorphic VT with a pulse calls for synchronized
cardioversion to restore perfusing rhythm.
8. A patient with suspected acute stroke arrives within 2 hours of symptom
onset. Prehospital priority is:
A. Give aspirin immediately.
B. Perform full lab tests in field.
C. Rapidly assess using a validated stroke scale and transport to a stroke
center.
D. Defer blood glucose check.
Rapid recognition and transport to an appropriate stroke center (and
, glucose check) are priorities; aspirin is withheld until hemorrhage
excluded in many protocols.
9. During rapid sequence intubation (RSI), the primary purpose of giving a
paralytic agent after induction is to:
A. Provide sedation.
B. Facilitate optimal intubating conditions by relaxing muscles.
C. Reverse hypoxia.
D. Prevent aspiration forever.
Paralytics produce muscle relaxation to permit easier laryngoscopy and
tube placement; sedation provides unconsciousness.
10.A crushed limb with ischemic pain and swelling after prolonged entrapment
is at highest immediate risk for:
A. Simple contusion only.
B. Crush syndrome with hyperkalemia and renal injury after reperfusion.
C. Immediate hypovolemia only.
D. Migraine headache.
Reperfusion of crushed muscle releases potassium and myoglobin risking
life-threatening hyperkalemia and renal failure.
11.For pediatric cardiac arrest secondary to respiratory failure, the most
important initial action is:
A. Give epinephrine immediately.
B. Ensure effective ventilation and oxygenation.
C. Defibrillate at adult energy.
D. Start vasopressors.
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 56-year-old male with sudden onset chest pain becomes unresponsive
and has no palpable pulse. After calling for ALS backup, you should first:
A. Check blood glucose.
B. Begin high-quality CPR (chest compressions).
C. Give 324 mg aspirin PO.
D. Place a nasopharyngeal airway.
High-quality chest compressions are the immediate priority in cardiac
arrest to maintain perfusion while other interventions are prepared.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests a tension pneumothorax in a trauma
patient?
A. Bilateral breath sounds equal.
B. Slowly improving oxygen saturation with oxygen.
C. Jugular venous distention with tracheal deviation away from the
injured side.
D. Productive cough with hemoptysis.
Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure → JVD and
tracheal deviation as intrathoracic structures shift.
,3. A paramedic anticipates intubation difficulty when the patient has:
A. Full range of neck motion and loose teeth.
B. Limited mouth opening and a large tongue (Mallampati IV).
C. Normal airway anatomy and cooperative patient.
D. Short neck with ability to extend.
Limited mouth opening and a high Mallampati score predict a difficult
laryngoscopy and intubation.
4. For a patient with suspected opioid overdose and respiratory depression,
naloxone administration should be titrated because:
A. It permanently reverses all opioid effects.
B. It causes immediate long-term seizure risk.
C. Rapid full reversal may precipitate acute withdrawal and agitation;
titration restores adequate ventilation while minimizing withdrawal.
D. It has no effect on ventilation.
Titrated naloxone balances restoration of adequate respirations with
avoiding sudden severe withdrawal.
5. In an adult with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the
earliest prehospital action that improves outcome is:
A. Administering IV fluids.
B. Obtaining and transmitting a 12-lead ECG to receiving hospital.
C. Giving morphine routinely.
D. Waiting for hospital to give aspirin.
Early 12-lead ECG and hospital notification speed reperfusion decisions
(PCI/thrombolysis) and improve outcomes.
,6. A 22-year-old with severe anaphylaxis and hypotension should receive first-
line:
A. Diphenhydramine IV.
B. Albuterol nebulization only.
C. Intramuscular epinephrine (0.3–0.5 mg of 1:1,000).
D. IV hydrocortisone only.
IM epinephrine is the immediate life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis to
reverse bronchospasm and vasodilation.
7. Which ECG rhythm requires immediate synchronized cardioversion if the
patient is hypotensive and unstable?
A. Sinus bradycardia.
B. Ventricular fibrillation.
C. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with pulse and hypotension.
D. Atrial fibrillation with controlled rate.
Unstable monomorphic VT with a pulse calls for synchronized
cardioversion to restore perfusing rhythm.
8. A patient with suspected acute stroke arrives within 2 hours of symptom
onset. Prehospital priority is:
A. Give aspirin immediately.
B. Perform full lab tests in field.
C. Rapidly assess using a validated stroke scale and transport to a stroke
center.
D. Defer blood glucose check.
Rapid recognition and transport to an appropriate stroke center (and
, glucose check) are priorities; aspirin is withheld until hemorrhage
excluded in many protocols.
9. During rapid sequence intubation (RSI), the primary purpose of giving a
paralytic agent after induction is to:
A. Provide sedation.
B. Facilitate optimal intubating conditions by relaxing muscles.
C. Reverse hypoxia.
D. Prevent aspiration forever.
Paralytics produce muscle relaxation to permit easier laryngoscopy and
tube placement; sedation provides unconsciousness.
10.A crushed limb with ischemic pain and swelling after prolonged entrapment
is at highest immediate risk for:
A. Simple contusion only.
B. Crush syndrome with hyperkalemia and renal injury after reperfusion.
C. Immediate hypovolemia only.
D. Migraine headache.
Reperfusion of crushed muscle releases potassium and myoglobin risking
life-threatening hyperkalemia and renal failure.
11.For pediatric cardiac arrest secondary to respiratory failure, the most
important initial action is:
A. Give epinephrine immediately.
B. Ensure effective ventilation and oxygenation.
C. Defibrillate at adult energy.
D. Start vasopressors.
