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TL;DR

Study cardiac assessment techniques, pathophysiology, and emergency management of cardiovascular conditions. Cardiology is one of the most heavily weighted domains on the NREMT Paramedic Certification.

By Valenke Exam Prep Team·Last updated 2026-06-03

Free Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs Practice Questions

NREMT Paramedic Certification · Pharmacology

This module covers Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs as part of the Pharmacology section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.

ExamNREMT Paramedic Certification
Pass Rate67%
Duration150 minutes
ModuleCardiac & Respiratory Drugs

Why Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs matters

Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs is one of the most tested areas because medication errors are among the most preventable causes of patient harm.

Sample Practice Questions (5)

1. Adenosine is used to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The correct initial dose and administration technique is:

  • 6 mg rapid IV push followed by a 20 mL rapid normal saline flush; if ineffective, 12 mg may be given
  • 12 mg slow IV infusion over 10 minutes
  • 6 mg IM injection into the deltoid
  • 1 mg IV push every 5 minutes up to 3 doses

2. Atropine 0.5 mg IV is indicated for:

  • Symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate <60 with hypotension, altered mental status, or chest pain)
  • Ventricular fibrillation
  • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
  • Hypertension with headache

3. Lidocaine may be used as an alternative to amiodarone for refractory VF/pulseless VT. The correct first dose is:

  • 1-1.5 mg/kg IV/IO, with additional doses of 0.5-0.75 mg/kg every 5-10 minutes up to a maximum of 3 mg/kg
  • 300 mg IV/IO bolus, identical to amiodarone dosing
  • 0.5 mg IV push every 3 minutes
  • 5 mg/kg IV push as a single dose

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4. During resuscitation of a patient in refractory ventricular fibrillation, amiodarone has been administered. What is the correct first dose?

  • 300 mg IV/IO bolus; a second dose of 150 mg may be given if VF/VT persists
  • 150 mg IV/IO bolus as the first dose; no repeat dose
  • 300 mg slow IV infusion over 30 minutes
  • 1 mg/kg IV push as the first dose

5. During cardiac arrest (VF/pulseless VT), the standard dose and frequency of epinephrine is:

  • 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes
  • 0.3 mg IM every 15 minutes
  • 1 mg IV push once, then do not repeat
  • 5 mg IV/IO every 10 minutes

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs questions are on the NREMT Paramedic Certification?
The Pharmacology section, which includes Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs, typically represents a significant portion of the exam. Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorizing exact question counts, as the exam uses adaptive testing.
How should I memorize all the drugs in Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs?
Group medications by class and learn the common suffixes (e.g., -olol for beta-blockers, -pril for ACE inhibitors). Focus on the most commonly prescribed drugs first and learn the key side effects and interactions for each class.
Is Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs one of the harder sections on the exam?
Yes, Cardiac & Respiratory Drugs is considered one of the more challenging areas because it requires both knowledge recall and clinical reasoning. Many questions present scenarios where you must prioritize interventions, not just identify the correct treatment.