CEP Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A patient presents with sudden unilateral weakness and slurred speech. Blood glucose is 45 mg/dL. Your first intervention should be: → Administer dextrose or glucagon to correct hypoglycemia
2. Which of the following is the most appropriate prehospital intervention for a patient with suspected cardiac tamponade? → IV fluid bolus to maintain preload and rapid transport
3. Which regulatory requirement is UNIVERSAL across all Certified Emergency Paramedic practice settings? → Maintaining current certification and continuing education
4. A conscious patient presents with urticaria, wheezing, hypotension, and a history of bee sting 10 minutes ago. What is the first-line treatment? → Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM to the lateral thigh
5. A patient presents with altered mental status, temperature of 105.8°F, and anhidrosis after exercising in extreme heat. Which condition is most likely? → Exertional heat stroke
6. What role does calibration play in maintaining technical accuracy for Certified Emergency Paramedic professionals? → It ensures instruments produce accurate, consistent results over time
7. What does unequal chest rise indicate during ventilation? → Tube misplacement or pneumothorax
8. Which waveform capnography finding is MOST consistent with severe bronchospasm? → Shark-fin waveform with elevated plateau
9. A neonate has a heart rate of 80 bpm after 30 seconds of effective PPV. What is the next step? → Continue PPV and reassess in 30 seconds
10. Which pharmacologic agent is used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)? → Adenosine
11. Cushing's triad, indicating severely elevated intracranial pressure, includes: → Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
12. Which finding during a secondary assessment MOST suggests a diaphragmatic rupture? → Bowel sounds auscultated in the chest
13. A patient is transported in a left lateral recumbent position during the third trimester of pregnancy. What is the primary reason for this position? → To relieve aortocaval compression by the gravid uterus
14. A patient with suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage typically reports: → Sudden onset 'thunderclap' headache described as the worst of their life
15. What is the goal of administering nitroglycerin during chest pain? → To decrease preload and myocardial oxygen demand
16. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in which of the following clinical scenarios? → Inferior STEMI with suspected right ventricular infarction
17. What Apgar component assesses the infant's reflex irritability at 1 and 5 minutes after birth? → Grimace/reflex response
18. A patient with known COPD is in severe respiratory distress with SpO2 of 82%. What is the correct oxygen delivery approach? → Titrate oxygen to achieve SpO2 88–92%
19. A patient in cardiogenic shock has a BP of 70/50 and is in sinus rhythm at 100 bpm. Which vasopressor is most appropriate as initial therapy? → Norepinephrine infusion starting at 0.1 mcg/kg/min
20. What is the antidote combination used for nerve agent (organophosphate) poisoning in the field? → Atropine and pralidoxime (2-PAM)
21. In CEP practice, what happens when regulations are updated? → Professionals must update knowledge and practices to meet new requirements
22. Which is the most appropriate transport decision for a trauma patient with an unstable airway? → Transport to nearest facility with airway support
23. Which medication is first-line for anaphylaxis in a pediatric patient? → Epinephrine 1:1000 IM
24. Which presentation is most consistent with epiglottitis in a child? → Drooling, tripod position, high fever
25. What is the CORRECT target systolic blood pressure during permissive hypotension for a penetrating torso trauma patient without TBI? → 80–90 mmHg
26. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) principle applies to ALL CEP certified professionals regardless of their specific role? → PPE must be properly fitted, maintained, and replaced as needed
27. When a CEP professional encounters an unexpected result during a procedure, the FIRST action should be to: → Stop, assess the situation, and determine whether to proceed or seek guidance
28. Calcium chloride is the preferred form of calcium in cardiac arrest because: → It contains three times more elemental calcium than calcium gluconate
29. In a nerve agent (organophosphate) exposure, which finding is NOT expected? → Dry, flushed skin
30. During transport of a head-injured patient with suspected elevated ICP, you should position the patient: → Head elevated 30 degrees with the spine inline