Page 1 of 28
NEW PARAMEDIC FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS HIGHLIGHTED RATED A
WITH BEST GRADES/ PARAMEDIC FINAL
EXAM PRACTICAL QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 LATEST
UPDATE
1. A 66-year-old man with chronic bronchitis presents with severe
respiratory distress. The patient's wife tells you that he takes
medications for high blood pressure and bronchitis, is on home
oxygen therapy, and has recently been taking an over-thecounter
antitussive. She further tells you that he has not been compliant
with his oxygen therapy. Auscultation of his lungs reveals diffuse
rhonchi. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's respiratory
distress? - ANSWER Recent antitussive use
2. A 76-year-old woman with emphysema presents with respiratory
distress that has worsened progressively over the past 2 days. She
is breathing through pursed lips and has a prolonged expiratory
phase and an oxygen saturation of 76%. She is on home oxygen at
2 L/min. Your initial action should be to? - ANSWER place her in a
position that facilitates breathing.
, Page 2 of 28
3. Common clinical findings in patients with obstructive lung disease
include all of the following, EXCEPT: - ANSWER a decreased
expiratory phase
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized
by: - ANSWER changes in pulmonary structure and function that
are progressive and irreversible
5. The hypoxic drive is a phenomenon in which - ANSWER
bicarbonate ions migrate into the cerebrospinal fluid of a
chronically hypoventilating patient, making the brain think that
acid and base are in balance
6. Pulmonary Embolism Characteristics - ANSWER Sudden dyspnea
& cyanosis, and perhaps, a sharp pain in the chest. A hallmark of
pulmonary embolism is that the cyanosis does not resolve with
oxygen therapy.
7. You are dispatched to a residence for a young woman with
difficulty breathing. When you arrive, you find the patient sitting in
a tripod position, noticeably dyspneic and tachypneic. She tells you
that she experienced a sudden sharp pain to the left side of her
chest and then started having trouble breathing. She denies any past
medical history and states that she only takes birth control pills.
Based on this patient's clinical presentation, you should be MOST
suspicious for: - ANSWER acute pulmonary embolism
, Page 3 of 28
8. One of the hallmarks of a pulmonary embolism is: - ANSWER
cyanosis that does not resolve with oxygen therapy.
9. Paradoxial Respiratory Movement is - ANSWER the inward
movement of a segment of the chest during inhalation and a
outward movement of the chest during exhalation,
opposite normal chest movement and a indication of flail chest.
10. Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: - ANSWER
the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions
11. Cor pulmonale is defined as: - ANSWER right heart failure
secondary to chronic lung disease
12. Right Side Heart Failure Characteristics: . - ANSWER (pg. 1020)-
Distention with external jugular veins, Serum forced out producing
edema (feet and/or lower back), right upper quadrant swelling
(hepatomegaly, eg. Liver), abdominal distention, (eg, Ascites),end
enspiratory crackles, a progressive increase in dyspnea over several
days, greater than usual fluid intake, and improper use of diuretics
13. An elderly woman with COPD presents with peripheral edema.
The patient is conscious but agitated. She is breathing with slight
NEW PARAMEDIC FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS HIGHLIGHTED RATED A
WITH BEST GRADES/ PARAMEDIC FINAL
EXAM PRACTICAL QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 LATEST
UPDATE
1. A 66-year-old man with chronic bronchitis presents with severe
respiratory distress. The patient's wife tells you that he takes
medications for high blood pressure and bronchitis, is on home
oxygen therapy, and has recently been taking an over-thecounter
antitussive. She further tells you that he has not been compliant
with his oxygen therapy. Auscultation of his lungs reveals diffuse
rhonchi. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's respiratory
distress? - ANSWER Recent antitussive use
2. A 76-year-old woman with emphysema presents with respiratory
distress that has worsened progressively over the past 2 days. She
is breathing through pursed lips and has a prolonged expiratory
phase and an oxygen saturation of 76%. She is on home oxygen at
2 L/min. Your initial action should be to? - ANSWER place her in a
position that facilitates breathing.
, Page 2 of 28
3. Common clinical findings in patients with obstructive lung disease
include all of the following, EXCEPT: - ANSWER a decreased
expiratory phase
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized
by: - ANSWER changes in pulmonary structure and function that
are progressive and irreversible
5. The hypoxic drive is a phenomenon in which - ANSWER
bicarbonate ions migrate into the cerebrospinal fluid of a
chronically hypoventilating patient, making the brain think that
acid and base are in balance
6. Pulmonary Embolism Characteristics - ANSWER Sudden dyspnea
& cyanosis, and perhaps, a sharp pain in the chest. A hallmark of
pulmonary embolism is that the cyanosis does not resolve with
oxygen therapy.
7. You are dispatched to a residence for a young woman with
difficulty breathing. When you arrive, you find the patient sitting in
a tripod position, noticeably dyspneic and tachypneic. She tells you
that she experienced a sudden sharp pain to the left side of her
chest and then started having trouble breathing. She denies any past
medical history and states that she only takes birth control pills.
Based on this patient's clinical presentation, you should be MOST
suspicious for: - ANSWER acute pulmonary embolism
, Page 3 of 28
8. One of the hallmarks of a pulmonary embolism is: - ANSWER
cyanosis that does not resolve with oxygen therapy.
9. Paradoxial Respiratory Movement is - ANSWER the inward
movement of a segment of the chest during inhalation and a
outward movement of the chest during exhalation,
opposite normal chest movement and a indication of flail chest.
10. Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: - ANSWER
the epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions
11. Cor pulmonale is defined as: - ANSWER right heart failure
secondary to chronic lung disease
12. Right Side Heart Failure Characteristics: . - ANSWER (pg. 1020)-
Distention with external jugular veins, Serum forced out producing
edema (feet and/or lower back), right upper quadrant swelling
(hepatomegaly, eg. Liver), abdominal distention, (eg, Ascites),end
enspiratory crackles, a progressive increase in dyspnea over several
days, greater than usual fluid intake, and improper use of diuretics
13. An elderly woman with COPD presents with peripheral edema.
The patient is conscious but agitated. She is breathing with slight
