EMT Emergency Medical Technicians Exam Questions and Answers

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:

Laundry detergent ingestion — especially in the case ofliquid detergent pods— is associated withcaustic airway and gastrointestinal injuries. The presence ofcracklesanddrowsinessare signs of aspiration and possiblerespiratory failure. Vomiting increases the risk ofaspiration pneumonitis, andesophageal perforationis a life-threatening complication from corrosive ingestion.

While seizure and hypoglycemia are possible complications of toxic ingestion, they are not as immediately linked to the detergent profile as airway injury and aspiration risk.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Pulmonary edemais caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli, impairing gas exchange. It is typically due to:

Left-sided heart failure: Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation

Hypertensive crisis: Increases hydrostatic pressure in the lungs

Anaphylaxis causesvasodilation and bronchospasm, not fluid overload. Increased oncotic pressure wouldretainfluid in capillaries — the opposite of edema.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

If achoking patient becomes unresponsive, EMTs should:

Check for a pulse

Begin chest compressionsif no pulse is foundChest compressions can helpdislodge the object. After compressions, the airway should be opened and inspected. Back blows are not appropriate for unconscious patients.

Ventilation is attempted after clearing the airway or if no object is seen.Do not withhold compressions waiting for object removal.

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:

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:

This patient is showing signs ofepiglottitisor aserious upper airway obstruction— drooling, difficulty swallowing, fever, and tripod positioning.

EMT actions should include:

Position of comfortto avoid airway agitation

Gentle suctioningif secretions threaten airway

Do not force the patient to lie flat, as this mayworsen airway compromise.CPAPandhumidified oxygenmay be considered in hospital care but not as first-line interventions during prehospital airway management in epiglottitis.

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:

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:

The symptoms and vital signs (wheezing, hypotension, high pulse rate, respiratory distress) are strongly indicative ofanaphylaxis, which is alife-threatening allergic reaction. Bilateral wheezing and hypotension further confirm systemic involvement. Thefirst-line treatment is intramuscular epinephrine, which:

Reverses bronchospasm (via beta-2 adrenergic effects)

Raises blood pressure (via alpha-1 vasoconstriction)

Improves airway tone and reduces mucosal edema

A metered-dose inhaler may help in mild bronchospasm but is insufficient duringanaphylactic shock. Positive pressure ventilations are a secondary measure if respiratory failure occurs. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated due to low BP.

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:

Sickle cell crisis(vaso-occlusive crisis) occurs when abnormally shaped red blood cells obstruct blood flow, leading to:

Severe localized or generalized pain(most common symptom)

Often in the back, chest, abdomen, or long bones

Hypoxia may be a contributing factor, but pain is themost reported reasonfor EMS activation. Cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension arenot primary symptomsof sickle cell crisis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Mechanism of Injury (MOI)assessment is a cornerstone of trauma care. It helps providers determine:

Extent of injury: High-speed collisions, falls from height, or penetrating trauma suggest internal injuries even if external signs are limited.

Need for additional resources: MOI may indicate the necessity ofALS backup,air transport, ortechnical rescue.

MOI cannot determine a patient’smedical historyor guarantee survival predictions. Thedestination facilitydepends on multiple factors including triage protocols, vital signs, and local trauma system regulations.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is ahigh-risk cardiac eventdue to unstable angina or possiblemyocardial infarction. The EMT should:

Administer oxygenif SpO₂ is <94%

Avoid nitroglycerinif systolic BP is <90 mmHg

Obtain a 12-lead ECGto identify ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and transmit it if trained and authorized

CPAP is indicated forpulmonary edema, and albuterol is forbronchospasm, neither of which applies here.

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.