AEMCA Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which two laws help you comprehend decompression sickness? → Boyle law and Henry law
2. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for administering oxytocin in the management of postpartum hemorrhage? → The placenta has not yet been delivered.
3. What is the Parkland formula used for in burn management? → Calculating fluid resuscitation volumes in the first 24 hours
4. Which of the following defines a hypertensive emergency, distinguishing it from hypertensive urgency? → The presence of acute end-organ damage.
5. A patient has ingested a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose. What is the most dangerous immediate complication? → Cardiac dysrhythmias from sodium channel blockade
6. What is the loop diuretics' mode of action? → Inhibits sodium and potassium re-absorption at the thick ascending limb of henle
7. A patient presents with pinpoint pupils, decreased respirations, and altered mental status. Which class of drugs is most likely responsible? → Opioids
8. Which prehospital intervention is most important for a patient with a suspected large ischemic stroke and last known well time of 1 hour? → Rapid transport to a stroke center with pre-notification
9. Which is the first-line pharmacological treatment for organophosphate (pesticide) poisoning in the prehospital setting? → Atropine
10. Which of the following is a key component of the 'L' in the SAMPLE history mnemonic? → Last oral intake.
11. Which of the following signs is characteristic of the cholinergic (SLUDGE) toxidrome? → Excessive salivation and lacrimation
12. Where does adult haematopoiesis take place? → pelvis, vertebral column, and cranium
13. How long would it take to transport a patient on a M tank at 600 psi and 8 L/min of flow? → 19.5 min
14. When should CPR be withheld in a hypothermic cardiac arrest patient in the prehospital setting? → Obvious lethal injury or the chest wall is non-compressible (frozen solid)
15. Beck's triad, a collection of signs associated with acute cardiac tamponade, consists of which of the following? → Hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds.
16. A patient in a lightning strike has cardiopulmonary arrest. In a mass casualty scenario involving multiple lightning strike victims, who is prioritized for CPR? → Patients in cardiopulmonary arrest (reverse triage)
17. A patient is found unconscious in a closed garage with a running engine. What pulse oximetry reading would you most likely expect? → SpO2 of 98–100% (falsely normal)
18. Where do nociceptors tend to be more prevalent? → fingers and toes
19. What qualifies as a green triage level? → minor injuries and patient is usually is ambulatory
20. When assessing a newborn's APGAR score, how is respiratory effort evaluated and scored? → A score of 1 is given for a slow or irregular cry; a score of 2 is for a vigorous cry.
21. Which medication class is contraindicated in a patient with suspected hemorrhagic stroke? → Anticoagulants and thrombolytics
22. Within what time frame after ingestion is activated charcoal most effective for most overdoses? → Within 1 hour of ingestion
23. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is best treated prehospitally with: → 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask
24. Which Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score indicates severe traumatic brain injury requiring aggressive airway management? → GCS ≤ 8
25. A patient's blood pressure is 220/120 mmHg after an ischemic stroke. In the prehospital setting, what is the correct approach? → Do not treat unless BP exceeds 220/120 or patient is symptomatic beyond stroke
26. How many lumbar vertebrae are there in a human? → 5
27. When using the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, which THREE components are assessed? → Facial droop, arm drift, and speech
28. Which class of substances accounts for the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in the United States? → Opioids (including synthetic opioids)
29. Upon arriving at the scene of a call, what is the paramedic's first and highest priority before making any patient contact? → Performing a scene size-up and ensuring the scene is safe for all responders.
30. A patient with an unknown ingestion has a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances, and elevated osmol gap. Which toxic ingestion is most likely? → Methanol