DCAS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which clinical feature helps differentiate Bell's palsy from a stroke-related facial palsy? → Ability to wrinkle the forehead on the affected side in stroke
2. A patient opens their eyes to voice, makes confused verbal responses, and localises to pain. What is their GCS score? → 11
3. The 'sniffing position' for intubation aligns: → The oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes to provide the best laryngoscopic view
4. In blunt abdominal trauma, which organ is most commonly injured? → Spleen
5. Open chest wounds ('sucking chest wounds') are treated with: → 3-sided occlusive dressing (or vented chest seal) to allow air out but not in
6. What is the primary role of a paramedic in the pre-hospital environment? → Assess, stabilise, and transport patients to definitive care
7. Which ECG finding during cardiac arrest indicates a shockable rhythm? → Ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT)
8. The 'START' triage system categorises patients into which four groups? → Immediate (Red), Delayed (Yellow), Minor (Green), Expectant/Deceased (Black)
9. Amiodarone is given in ACLS for shock-refractory VF/pVT at which dose? → 300mg IV bolus first dose, followed by 150mg if needed
10. What is the recommended energy level for the first defibrillation shock in adult cardiac arrest using a biphasic defibrillator? → 120-200 joules depending on manufacturer
11. In pre-hospital care, which intravenous fluid is considered first-line for hypovolaemic shock resuscitation? → Isotonic crystalloid (e.g., 0.9% sodium chloride or Lactated Ringer's)
12. In PALS, adenosine dosing for SVT is: → 0.1mg/kg rapid IV push (maximum 6mg first dose) followed by a rapid saline flush
13. The current thrombolysis (tPA) time window from symptom onset for eligible ischaemic stroke patients is generally: → Up to 3–4.5 hours
14. Cardioversion for unstable tachyarrhythmia is performed 'synchronised' meaning: → The shock is delivered on the R wave to avoid inducing VF
15. For infants in cardiac arrest when two rescuers are present, compressions are performed using: → Two-thumb encircling technique (thumbs on lower sternum, hands encircling the chest)
16. Cricothyrotomy is indicated in which situation? → Can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO) — failed airway with life-threatening hypoxia
17. Bronchospasm in a child with known asthma is initially treated with: → Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (salbutamol) via MDI and spacer or nebuliser
18. A child with meningococcal septicaemia is identified by: → Non-blanching petechial or purpuric rash with fever and signs of septic shock
19. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) secondary injury is caused by: → Hypoxia, hypotension, hypercapnia, hyperthermia, and seizures after the initial impact
20. A patient describes the worst headache of their life, with sudden onset ('thunderclap' headache). Which condition must be immediately suspected? → Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)
21. Which medication is the first-line treatment for suspected opioid overdose with respiratory depression in the pre-hospital setting? → Naloxone (Narcan) — opioid antagonist
22. Traction splints are specifically indicated for: → Isolated mid-shaft femur fractures
23. The DCAS 'Code Blue' designation in hospital handover refers to: → Cardiac or respiratory arrest — requiring immediate resuscitation team response on arrival
24. A tension pneumothorax causes tracheal deviation toward which side? → Away from the affected side (tension side)
25. In PALS, the primary cause of cardiac arrest in children differs from adults in that it is most commonly: → Respiratory failure or shock leading to hypoxic cardiac arrest
26. During ACLS, the rhythm check should occur every: → 2 minutes (after each CPR cycle)
27. Which drug is used to treat bradycardia caused by beta-blocker overdose refractory to atropine? → High-dose glucagon IV
28. The reversal agent for benzodiazepine overdose is: → Flumazenil — competitive GABA-A receptor antagonist
29. An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is contraindicated in: → Conscious patients with intact gag reflex
30. The Broselow tape is used in paediatric emergencies to: → Estimate weight-based drug doses and equipment sizes from the child's length