CPC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What should a paramedic do if a patient refuses care? → Respect the refusal and document it thoroughly
2. When using the PRAPARE (Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patient Assets, Risks, and Experiences) tool, the community paramedic is assessing: → Social determinants of health risk factors
3. A community paramedic observes a sacral wound with undermining noted at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. What does 'undermining' mean in wound assessment? → Tissue destruction extending beyond the wound edges under intact skin
4. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Action Plan, often taught to first responders, is represented by the acronym ALGEE. What does the 'L' in ALGEE stand for? → Listen non-judgmentally.
5. What is the primary goal of preventive care in community paramedicine? → Preventing illness and promoting wellness
6. Which approach best supports patients with chronic mental health conditions? → Build trust and provide consistent follow-up
7. Which community resource is MOST appropriate for a patient experiencing housing insecurity that is exacerbating their mental health condition? → Refer to a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continuum of care program
8. What is considered a key social determinant of health? → Access to housing
9. Which target HbA1c is recommended by the American Diabetes Association for most non-pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes? → <7.0%
10. Which of the following is the PRIMARY function of a 211 call center in community paramedicine resource coordination? → Providing free, confidential information and referrals to health and social services
11. A community paramedic is assessing respiratory rate in a patient. What is the correct technique for measuring respiratory rate? → Count breaths for a full 60 seconds without informing the patient
12. A community paramedic is visiting a patient with confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which PPE must be worn during the encounter? → N95 respirator, gloves, and gown
13. A community paramedic program partners with a local hospital to follow up with patients discharged with CHF. This type of arrangement is BEST described as: → A post-discharge transitional care partnership
14. Which technique is most effective when communicating with a person experiencing a mental health crisis? → Maintain a calm tone and actively listen
15. Under HIPAA, a community paramedic may share patient mental health information with another treating provider WITHOUT specific patient authorization when: → The disclosure is for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations (TPO)
16. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) is used in community paramedicine primarily to: → Estimate a patient's 10-year risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
17. The GOLD ABCD assessment in COPD management combines spirometric grade with which two additional parameters? → Symptom burden (CAT/mMRC score) and exacerbation history
18. Which communication strategy builds trust with patients? → Active listening and empathy
19. A community paramedic is assessing a patient for medication-related falls. Which combination of medications represents the HIGHEST fall risk? → A benzodiazepine, an antihypertensive, and a diuretic taken together
20. Why is it important for community paramedics to educate patients on lifestyle changes? → To support self-management and prevention
21. Which SBAR element contains the clinical assessment and recommendation for the patient? → R — Recommendation
22. When conducting a home visit as a lone worker, which of the following represents a critical safety protocol for a community paramedic? → Maintain situational awareness, including identifying an unobstructed path to an exit.
23. What is the priority concern when assessing a patient with suicidal ideation? → Determine safety and access to means
24. In a remote patient monitoring program for COPD, which parameter, if chronically abnormal, MOST reliably predicts an upcoming exacerbation? → A sustained decline in daily step count combined with increasing respiratory rate trend
25. Which of the following pathogens is classified as a bloodborne pathogen under OSHA standards? → Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
26. In a Mobile Integrated Healthcare program, which metric BEST demonstrates a reduction in system utilization? → Decrease in 30-day hospital readmission rates
27. A community paramedic responds to a patient in acute psychosis who is agitated but not violent. Which de-escalation approach is MOST appropriate? → Use a calm, quiet voice, maintain distance, limit stimulation, and offer choices
28. Which of the following diseases requires mandatory reporting to the local or state public health authority in the US? → Pertussis (whooping cough)
29. How can paramedics assess the impact of social determinants of health? → Inquire about social conditions
30. Which of the following is the correct hand hygiene technique after removing contaminated gloves? → Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand rub