EMT Sample Questions Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In situations where a vehicle is tailgating an emergency unit, tapping the brakes briefly is a standard defensive driving maneuver to alert the driver behind to increase distance. It is less risky than slowing dramatically or pulling over, which could endanger crew or delay response.

Speeding up could reduce your reaction window or increase accident risk. EMS operators must follow safe driving practices per NFPA 1002 and DOT Emergency Vehicle Operation Guidelines.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Negligenceoccurs when an EMT:

Has aduty to act

Breaches that duty(e.g., by withholding basic care like warmth)

Causesharm or risk of harm

Establishescausation

The EMT’s failure to treat the patient with respect and dignity — even if the patient improved — still constitutesnegligence, especially if tied to a discriminatory or dismissive attitude.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The patient is in hypoperfusion (shock) from blood loss. In shock states, tissues are deprived of oxygen, leading to anaerobic metabolism, which produces lactic acid as a byproduct. This causes metabolic acidosis, which is a critical sign of systemic oxygen debt.

Carbon dioxide rises with respiratory failure, but lactic acid is a more specific indicator of cellular hypoxia.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

According toPediatric Basic Life Support (PBLS) guidelinesby theAmerican Heart Association (AHA), when a child becomes unresponsive due to foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), the immediate next step is to beginchest compressions. This is donebefore checking the airway or giving breathsbecause the airway is presumed obstructed. The compressions may dislodge the object.

After 30 compressions, open the airway and check for visible objects. If none are seen, attempt rescue breaths. This protocol reflects the high risk of complete airway blockage in children with sudden collapse following a choking episode.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Thereassessment phasein the EMT patient assessment model starts with repeating theprimary survey(also called the primary assessment), which includes:

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Disability (mental status)

Exposure/environment

The purpose is to identify any changes or deterioration in the patient’slife-threatening conditions, especially in dynamic or unstable patients. Only after this do EMTs check vitals and reevaluate secondary complaints.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Hepatitis Ais transmitted primarily via thefecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water. It leads to anacuteliver infection, not a chronic condition. Unlike Hepatitis C, which has no vaccine, Hepatitis Ahas an effective vaccineand is preventable with proper hygiene and immunization.

Hepatitis Bis spread through blood and sexual contact, not fecal-oral.Hepatitis Eis also fecal-oral but is rare in the U.S. and doesn't have a widely used vaccine.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The patient’sexcessively high respiratory rate (RR 50),hypoxia (SpO₂ 89%), anddecreased mental status(drowsiness) indicaterespiratory failure, which is theinability to maintain oxygenation or ventilation.

Respiratory distress: Increased effort but adequate compensation

Respiratory arrest: Complete absence of breathing

Respiratory alkalosis: Possible early finding, but not a condition diagnosis

This patient is tiring and losing the ability to ventilate effectively — a hallmark of failure.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Theposition of the patient’s headwithin the aircraft affectsaccess to airway managementandcrew maneuverability. If the head is oriented away from providers or toward a non-accessible bulkhead, this candelay critical interventions(airway suctioning, ventilations).

Use of air splints, maintaining oxygen saturation, or environmental humidity are not major complications relative tophysical positioningandin-cabin access limitations.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In infants, improper insertion of an OPA (oropharyngeal airway) can stimulate the vagus nerve, leading to bradycardia or even complete airway obstruction. If cyanosis and bradycardia develop after OPA insertion, immediate removal and resumption of ventilations with a bag-valve mask is critical.

The OPA must be properly sized and inserted only in patients without a gag reflex. Ventilations alone often reverse vagally induced bradycardia.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)in a physically active person, such as a mountain climber, strongly suggests apulmonary embolism (PE), particularly due to:

Dehydration

Prolonged exertion or immobility

High altitude increasing clot risk

Symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Tachypnea

Hemoptysis

Pulmonary edemagenerally causes pink frothy sputum and is more associated with heart failure.Neoplasm (lung cancer)is possible but much less acute in onset.Spontaneous pneumothoraxcauses dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain but not typically hemoptysis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Agonal respirations arenot effective breathingand can mimic gasping or snorting. They often occur incardiac arrest. However, before initiating chest compressions, the EMT mustconfirm pulselessnessby checking acarotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds(AHA 2020 BLS Guidelines).

Only after pulse confirmation (or absence) should compressions begin. Suctioning or ventilating is premature unless a pulse is found.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Clavicle deformity suggests potential rib or thoracic trauma. Unequal chest rise may indicate a flail segment, pneumothorax, or hemothorax. Subcutaneous emphysema, the presence of air under the skin, is a classic finding in pneumothorax or tracheobronchial injury.

Occipital depression is not chest related; epigastric distension is a GI symptom; and jugular vein distention would suggest tension pneumothorax or cardiac tamponade, which are more advanced complications.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The symptoms described areclassic for a stroke (CVA). Additional hallmark findings include:

Arm drift(motor weakness or hemiparesis)

Facial droop(Cranial nerve VII involvement)

Slurred speech(dysarthria or aphasia)

These form the basis of prehospital stroke assessment tools likeFAST:

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

Miosis (pupil constriction) and tremors are not associated with stroke in EMS context. Syncope is an isolated event and not a reliable CVA symptom.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

These symptoms are classic forendometriosis, whereendometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Symptoms often include:

Pelvic pain

Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)

Painful bowel movements or intercourse

Spontaneous abortion does not apply here due to lack of pregnancy. Premature menopause is rare at this age and presents differently. Infection is less likely in the absence of recent sexual activity or fever.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Altered mental status, combined withpale, cool, and clammy skin, is strongly suggestive ofhypoglycemia(low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is especially dangerous in diabetics who take insulin or oral hypoglycemics. The body'sadrenergic responsecauses the "cool and clammy" presentation.

Hyperglycemia typically presents withwarm, dry skinand develops more slowly. EMTs shouldadminister oral glucoseif the patient can swallow.