AIIMS Paramedical cheat sheet
AIIMS Paramedical · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Paramedical Technical Knowledge
Normal adult vital signs: temperature 36.5-37.5 C, pulse 60-100/min, respiration 12-20/min, blood pressure about 120/80 mmHg, SpO2 95-100%.
Universal precautions treat all blood and body fluids as infectious; gloves, gown, mask and eye protection are chosen by anticipated exposure, and hand hygiene is the single most effective prevention step.
Needle-stick injury protocol: wash with soap and water, do not squeeze or scrub, report immediately, and start post-exposure prophylaxis assessment within hours (HIV PEP ideally within 2 hours).
Injection sites: deltoid for small volumes (up to about 1 mL), ventrogluteal is the safest intramuscular site for adults, and the Z-track technique prevents leakage of irritating drugs.
Sterilisation versus disinfection: autoclaving (121 C, 15 psi, 15-20 minutes) destroys spores; alcohol and chlorine are disinfectants and do not reliably kill spores.
Blood groups: O negative is the universal red-cell donor and AB positive the universal recipient; AB plasma is the universal plasma donor.
ECG basics: P wave = atrial depolarisation, QRS = ventricular depolarisation, T = ventricular repolarisation; normal PR interval 0.12-0.20 s and QRS under 0.12 s.
First aid rules: CPR at 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adults at 100-120/min and 5-6 cm depth; burns are cooled with running water for about 20 minutes, never with ice.