PCP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PCP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Signs of dehydration in a pediatric patient include all of the following EXCEPT: → Bounding peripheral pulses
2. What flow rate should a nasal cannula have? → 1-6 LPM
3. When ventilating a pediatric patient with a BVM, you should use: → Only enough volume to produce visible chest rise
4. A neonate is born limp, not breathing, and blue. Your first action is: → Stimulate and dry the infant, then reassess
5. Post-partum hemorrhage is defined as blood loss exceeding: → 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after C-section
6. The first-line treatment for stable narrow-complex SVT is: → Valsalva maneuver or carotid sinus massage
7. Which method of patient transfer is MOST appropriate for a patient with a suspected spinal injury found in a vehicle? → Rapid extrication technique
8. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer infant CPR? → 15:2
9. Paradoxical chest wall movement (a segment moving inward on inspiration) is characteristic of: → Flail chest
10. Supine hypotensive syndrome in a pregnant patient is caused by: → Aortocaval compression by the gravid uterus
11. What is the primary side effect of nitroglycerin that the paramedic must monitor for? → Hypotension and headache
12. Which principle of the Incident Command System (ICS) limits the number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage? → Span of control
13. Which of the following is NOT considered a part of the patient's Signs and Symptoms? → The patient's last oral intake
14. When approaching a helicopter landing zone (LZ), EMS personnel should approach from which direction? → From the front or side as directed by the pilot
15. In the Unified Command structure of ICS, who sets the overall incident objectives? → All participating agency commanders together
16. What is one thing you should NOT do when treating a patient with an acute abdomen? → Attempt to diagnose the cause of the problem.
17. A patient at 10 weeks gestation presents with unilateral pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, and hypotension. You suspect: → Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
18. Which of the following is the MOST reliable method to confirm airway patency in an unresponsive patient? → End-tidal CO2 waveform capnography
19. Aspirin is contraindicated in which patient population? → Children under 16 with viral illness (Reye's syndrome risk)
20. Every squad should contact dispatch a certain minimum number of times on every call. What is this number? → 6
21. What is the adult dose of epinephrine 1:1000 for anaphylaxis? → 0.3–0.5 mg IM
22. Which of the following fractures is most likely to cause life-threatening hemorrhage? → Femur fracture
23. What is the appropriate oxygen flow rate when using a non-rebreather mask? → 10–15 L/min
24. What is the first step you should take when you start to size up a scene? → Do a Body Substance Isolation (BSI).
25. On a 12-lead ECG, ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF suggests an infarction in which territory? → Inferior wall
26. An ectopic pregnancy most commonly implants in the: → Fallopian tube (ampulla)
27. After delivery of the baby's head, the paramedic should immediately: → Check for a nuchal cord and suction if needed
28. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is defined as: → Organized ECG activity without a palpable pulse
29. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) evaluates which three components? → Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation to Skin
30. In a patient with a traumatic brain injury, you should avoid: → Hypotension and hypoxia