EMT Emergency Medical Technicians Exam Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In pediatric START orJumpSTARTtriage, a "delayed" status is appropriate if the child is breathing adequately, has palpable pulses, and follows commands. The respiratory rate of 16 is normal for a 9-year-old, and being able to walk also supports the “delayed” tag.

"Mottled skin" and "breathing only after airway opening" would more likely lead to "immediate" or even "expectant" categories depending on associated symptoms.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

To establishnegligence, four legal elements must be proven:

Duty to act– a legal obligation to provide care.

Breach of duty– failing to meet the standard of care.

Damages– harm occurred.

Proximate causation– the breach directly caused the damage.

"Proximate causation" means the EMT’s action or inaction is closely linked to the harm suffered by the patient.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is a classic presentation ofhypovolemic shockdue to traumaticblood loss(open femur fracture, pelvic instability). Indicators include:

Low BP (86/42)= hypotension

High pulse (P 136)= compensation

Mental status decline (responsive only to voice)= indicatesdecompensatedshock

Obstructive and distributive shock are not applicable. Compensated shock would shownormal BPandalert mental status.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Forpediatric BLS with two rescuers, currentAHA Guidelines (2020)recommend:

Two-thumb encircling hands technique: Most effective for infants; provides consistent depth and control.

Compression ratio of 15:2: Enhances ventilation without compromising perfusion.

Compression depth: 1/3 of chest or approximatelyone-half the chest's depth.

CPR begins ifpulse <60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion, not at 72 bpm. Rate of180/minis excessive; ideal rate is100–120/min.

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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:

In anyunresponsive patient, the first step is toassess and open the airwayto determine patency and identify obstruction or inadequate breathing.

Gasping respirations (agonal) are not effective; they requireBVM ventilationsupport. The airway must be openbefore checking for a pulse or performing auscultation. A secondary assessment is performed onlyafter primary survey and stabilization.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Forsuspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB), the EMT should place asurgical mask on the patient, not a HEPA respirator. Surgical masks are used tocontain droplets from the patientand reduce airborne transmission.

The EMTshould wear aN95 or HEPA respiratorto protect against inhaling airborne particles. Notification to the CDC is not the EMT’s responsibility — that falls to public health officials.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Thetripod position— sitting upright, leaning forward, supporting the upper body with arms on knees — is a classic sign ofrespiratory distress. This position:

Maximizes diaphragmatic movement

Engages accessory muscles of respiration

Improves air exchange in patients with obstructive airway diseases (e.g., COPD, asthma)

It is rarely used by patients with abdominal pain or seizures and is not associated with cardiac arrest (where unconsciousness is expected).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In patients with asthma experiencing respiratory failure, improper ventilation (especially excessive rates) can lead to air trapping and increased intrathoracic pressure, reducing venous return and worsening hypotension. Thecorrect techniqueis to ventilate slowly to allow full exhalation — around1 breath every 5–6 secondsfor adults.

CPAPis contraindicated in unresponsive patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Anon-rebreather maskwould be insufficient for an unresponsive patient, andforceful ventilationrisks barotrauma.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Missing dialysis leads tofluid overload, causing:

Pulmonary edema, evident bycrackleson auscultation

Dyspnea and chest discomfort

Bradycardia is less likely; patients more often present withtachycardiadue to volume stress. Fever would suggest infection (not stated here), and hypotension can occur later, but hypertension is more common in early fluid overload.

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Pertinent negativesare findings that arenot present, butwould be clinically relevant if they were. For example:

“No neck or back pain”helps rule out spinal injury

“No loss of consciousness”informs head trauma assessment

Statements about behavior or initial refusal (B, E) may be documented under patient behavior or refusal, but they are not pertinent negatives. Positive findings like abdominal tenderness arepertinent positives.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Givenfall with head traumaandabsent respirations, the most concerning cause isspinal injury, particularly acervical spine fracture. Ahigh cervical injury (C1–C4)canparalyze the diaphragm, leading toapnea despite a beating heart.

Brain herniation can also depress respirations but often presents withunequal pupils,posturing, andCushing’s triad(not described here).Commotio cordisis sudden cardiac arrest from blunt chest trauma (not head).Open pneumothoraxaffects chest mechanics, not directly linked here.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Anepidural hematomaclassically presents with a“lucid interval”— a brief period of regained consciousness following head trauma, followed by rapid deterioration. This is due to arterial bleeding, often from themiddle meningeal artery, leading to increasing intracranial pressure.

Signs include:

High blood pressure

Decreasing respiratory rate

Altered LOC or unresponsiveness

Subdural hemorrhages are slower venous bleeds, common in elderly patients. Subarachnoid hemorrhage often presents with "worst headache of life." Intracerebral bleeds are less commonly linked to lucid intervals.

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:

Heat exhaustionresults from prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, leading tofluid and electrolyte loss(especially sodium and water), causinghypovolemia. This can result in:

Tachycardia

Weakness

Dizziness

Profuse sweating

Unlikeheat stroke, mental status is typically preserved in heat exhaustion. Hypertension and bradycardia are not characteristic.