Illinois EMT–Basic Certification
Examination Practice Test Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of the primary assessment?
A. Identify allergies
B. Identify and treat life-threatening conditions
C. Obtain past medical history
D. Conduct a physical exam
Rationale: The primary assessment focuses on identifying and treating
immediately life-threatening conditions to stabilize the patient.
2. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing in an adult?
A. Calm appearance
B. Normal rate and depth
, C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Clear lung sounds
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates that the patient is struggling
to breathe and may require immediate intervention.
3. During a patient assessment, you find a carotid pulse that is weak and
irregular. You should:
A. Take a radial pulse instead
B. Begin CPR if the patient is unresponsive and not breathing
normally
C. Wait and monitor
D. Administer oxygen and transport
Rationale: A weak, irregular carotid pulse in an unresponsive patient may
indicate impending cardiac arrest, necessitating CPR.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 10–14 breaths/min
B. 16–22 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 20–28 breaths/min
Rationale: The normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
5. When should an EMT consider spinal immobilization?
A. Patient with minor bruising
B. Any patient with suspected spinal injury or mechanism of injury
, C. Patient with diabetes
D. Patient with chest pain
Rationale: Spinal immobilization is indicated when there is suspicion of
spinal injury or mechanism of injury that could cause spinal damage.
6. Which of the following is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Anxiety
B. Tachypnea
C. Restlessness
D. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes,
is a late sign of oxygen deprivation.
7. The proper compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single adult rescuer
performing CPR is:
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 30:2
D. 15:1
Rationale: For adults, one rescuer should perform 30 chest compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
8. A patient with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg, rapid weak pulse, and
cool clammy skin is most likely experiencing:
A. Hypertension
, B. Shock
C. Asthma
D. Seizure
Rationale: Low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, and cool clammy skin are
classic signs of shock.
9. When using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) on an adult patient, the
recommended ventilation rate is:
A. 6–8 breaths/min
B. 10–12 breaths/min
C. 10–12 breaths/min if the patient has a pulse, 30:2 during CPR
D. 20 breaths/min
Rationale: For a patient with a pulse, ventilate 10–12 times per minute;
during CPR, use 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
10. Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from a
non-rebreather mask?
A. Patient in cardiac arrest
B. Patient with no respiratory effort
C. Patient with moderate respiratory distress and SpO₂ below 94%
D. Patient with a minor laceration
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen to
patients in moderate respiratory distress.
Examination Practice Test Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download
1. What is the primary purpose of the primary assessment?
A. Identify allergies
B. Identify and treat life-threatening conditions
C. Obtain past medical history
D. Conduct a physical exam
Rationale: The primary assessment focuses on identifying and treating
immediately life-threatening conditions to stabilize the patient.
2. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing in an adult?
A. Calm appearance
B. Normal rate and depth
, C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Clear lung sounds
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates that the patient is struggling
to breathe and may require immediate intervention.
3. During a patient assessment, you find a carotid pulse that is weak and
irregular. You should:
A. Take a radial pulse instead
B. Begin CPR if the patient is unresponsive and not breathing
normally
C. Wait and monitor
D. Administer oxygen and transport
Rationale: A weak, irregular carotid pulse in an unresponsive patient may
indicate impending cardiac arrest, necessitating CPR.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 10–14 breaths/min
B. 16–22 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 20–28 breaths/min
Rationale: The normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
5. When should an EMT consider spinal immobilization?
A. Patient with minor bruising
B. Any patient with suspected spinal injury or mechanism of injury
, C. Patient with diabetes
D. Patient with chest pain
Rationale: Spinal immobilization is indicated when there is suspicion of
spinal injury or mechanism of injury that could cause spinal damage.
6. Which of the following is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Anxiety
B. Tachypnea
C. Restlessness
D. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes,
is a late sign of oxygen deprivation.
7. The proper compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single adult rescuer
performing CPR is:
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 30:2
D. 15:1
Rationale: For adults, one rescuer should perform 30 chest compressions
followed by 2 ventilations.
8. A patient with a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg, rapid weak pulse, and
cool clammy skin is most likely experiencing:
A. Hypertension
, B. Shock
C. Asthma
D. Seizure
Rationale: Low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, and cool clammy skin are
classic signs of shock.
9. When using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) on an adult patient, the
recommended ventilation rate is:
A. 6–8 breaths/min
B. 10–12 breaths/min
C. 10–12 breaths/min if the patient has a pulse, 30:2 during CPR
D. 20 breaths/min
Rationale: For a patient with a pulse, ventilate 10–12 times per minute;
during CPR, use 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
10. Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from a
non-rebreather mask?
A. Patient in cardiac arrest
B. Patient with no respiratory effort
C. Patient with moderate respiratory distress and SpO₂ below 94%
D. Patient with a minor laceration
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen to
patients in moderate respiratory distress.
