CPC Maternal and Child Health

Question 1

A community paramedic visits a 28-year-old patient at 32 weeks gestation who reports a sudden onset headache, visual changes, and upper right quadrant abdominal pain. Blood pressure is 158/106 mmHg. These findings are MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome requiring immediate emergency escalation

Answer

BP ≥160/110 mmHg with headache, visual changes, and right upper quadrant pain (hepatic capsule distension) in a pregnant patient indicates severe preeclampsia with possible HELLP syndrome — a life-threatening obstetric emergency requiring immediate transport.

Question 2

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is used by community paramedics during postpartum home visits to screen for:

Accepted Answer

Postpartum depression and anxiety in new mothers

Answer

The EPDS is a validated 10-item self-report screening tool specifically designed to detect postpartum depression and anxiety. A score ≥13 suggests probable major depressive disorder requiring referral.

Question 3

A community paramedic is conducting a well-child home visit for a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the infant TYPICALLY be demonstrating by this age?

Accepted Answer

Sitting without support and transferring objects between hands

Answer

By 9 months, typical developmental milestones include sitting without support, transferring objects between hands, crawling or pulling to stand, and social behaviors like stranger anxiety. Walking and 2-word phrases occur at 12–24 months.

Question 4

Safe sleep recommendations for infants to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) include placing the infant:

Accepted Answer

Supine (on back) on a firm, flat surface, in their own sleep space, without soft bedding

Answer

The 'Back to Sleep' (now 'Safe Sleep') guidelines recommend: supine (back) position, firm flat surface (not inclined), own sleep space (crib/bassinet), no soft bedding (pillows, bumpers, loose blankets), room-sharing without bed-sharing.

Question 5

A community paramedic conducts a home visit for a pregnant patient with gestational diabetes who has been monitoring her blood glucose. A fasting glucose consistently above 95 mg/dL or 1-hour post-meal glucose above 130 mg/dL indicates:

Accepted Answer

Glucose targets not being met, requiring care team escalation for medication adjustment

Answer

GDM management targets are: fasting BG <95 mg/dL and 1-hour post-meal BG <130 mg/dL (or 2-hour <120 mg/dL). Values consistently above these thresholds indicate inadequate glycemic control, requiring dietary adjustment or initiation/titration of insulin.

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

CPC Maternal and Child Health