1|Page
West Coast EMT Block 4 Exam Study Guide ALL QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ - LATEST UPDATE 2026
WEST COAST EMT – BLOCK 4
PRACTICE EXAM
1. The MOST common cause of shock in trauma patients is
A. Neurogenic
B. Cardiogenic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Anaphylactic
Answer: C
Rationale: Trauma patients most often lose blood volume.
2. The FIRST step when approaching a trauma patient is
A. Apply oxygen
B. Control bleeding
C. Scene safety
D. Take vital signs
Answer: C
Rationale: EMT safety is always the priority.
3. Which finding is an EARLY sign of shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Altered mental status
C. Slow pulse
D. Cyanosis
UPDATED exam 2026
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status changes occur before blood pressure drops.
4. A patient with uncontrolled external bleeding should be treated FIRST by
A. Applying a pressure bandage
B. Elevating the extremity
C. Applying direct pressure
D. Applying ice
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line bleeding control.
5. When is a tourniquet indicated?
A. Minor bleeding
B. Bleeding controlled with pressure
C. Life-threatening bleeding not controlled by pressure
D. Internal bleeding
Answer: C
6. Which injury is MOST likely to cause internal bleeding?
A. Femur fracture
B. Wrist fracture
C. Ankle sprain
D. Finger laceration
Answer: A
Rationale: The femur can hold large volumes of blood.
7. A rapid trauma assessment is MOST appropriate for
A. Stable medical patients
B. Unresponsive trauma patients
C. Minor injuries
D. Chronic conditions
UPDATED exam 2026
,3|Page
Answer: B
8. Signs of hypovolemic shock include
A. Warm, flushed skin
B. Slow heart rate
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
9. Which position is BEST for a patient in shock without spinal injury?
A. Supine
B. Sitting
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: A
Rationale: Supine helps maintain perfusion.
10. The MOST effective way to prevent shock is
A. Keep the patient warm
B. Control bleeding
C. Give oxygen
D. Rapid transport
Answer: B
11. A patient with an impaled object in the abdomen should
A. Have the object removed
B. Be placed prone
C. Have the object stabilized
D. Have ice applied
Answer: C
UPDATED exam 2026
, 4|Page
12. Which sign suggests a spinal injury?
A. Isolated leg pain
B. Tingling in extremities
C. Minor bleeding
D. Normal sensation
Answer: B
13. Manual cervical spine stabilization should be initiated
A. After vitals are taken
B. If spinal injury is suspected
C. Only if patient complains of pain
D. After applying oxygen
Answer: B
14. Which mechanism of injury suggests possible spinal trauma?
A. Fall from standing height
B. Rear-end collision at low speed
C. Fall from greater than 10 feet
D. Minor sports injury
Answer: C
15. Paradoxical movement of the chest indicates
A. Pneumothorax
B. Flail chest
C. Hemothorax
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
West Coast EMT Block 4 Exam Study Guide ALL QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+ - LATEST UPDATE 2026
WEST COAST EMT – BLOCK 4
PRACTICE EXAM
1. The MOST common cause of shock in trauma patients is
A. Neurogenic
B. Cardiogenic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Anaphylactic
Answer: C
Rationale: Trauma patients most often lose blood volume.
2. The FIRST step when approaching a trauma patient is
A. Apply oxygen
B. Control bleeding
C. Scene safety
D. Take vital signs
Answer: C
Rationale: EMT safety is always the priority.
3. Which finding is an EARLY sign of shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Altered mental status
C. Slow pulse
D. Cyanosis
UPDATED exam 2026
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Mental status changes occur before blood pressure drops.
4. A patient with uncontrolled external bleeding should be treated FIRST by
A. Applying a pressure bandage
B. Elevating the extremity
C. Applying direct pressure
D. Applying ice
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line bleeding control.
5. When is a tourniquet indicated?
A. Minor bleeding
B. Bleeding controlled with pressure
C. Life-threatening bleeding not controlled by pressure
D. Internal bleeding
Answer: C
6. Which injury is MOST likely to cause internal bleeding?
A. Femur fracture
B. Wrist fracture
C. Ankle sprain
D. Finger laceration
Answer: A
Rationale: The femur can hold large volumes of blood.
7. A rapid trauma assessment is MOST appropriate for
A. Stable medical patients
B. Unresponsive trauma patients
C. Minor injuries
D. Chronic conditions
UPDATED exam 2026
,3|Page
Answer: B
8. Signs of hypovolemic shock include
A. Warm, flushed skin
B. Slow heart rate
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C
9. Which position is BEST for a patient in shock without spinal injury?
A. Supine
B. Sitting
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: A
Rationale: Supine helps maintain perfusion.
10. The MOST effective way to prevent shock is
A. Keep the patient warm
B. Control bleeding
C. Give oxygen
D. Rapid transport
Answer: B
11. A patient with an impaled object in the abdomen should
A. Have the object removed
B. Be placed prone
C. Have the object stabilized
D. Have ice applied
Answer: C
UPDATED exam 2026
, 4|Page
12. Which sign suggests a spinal injury?
A. Isolated leg pain
B. Tingling in extremities
C. Minor bleeding
D. Normal sensation
Answer: B
13. Manual cervical spine stabilization should be initiated
A. After vitals are taken
B. If spinal injury is suspected
C. Only if patient complains of pain
D. After applying oxygen
Answer: B
14. Which mechanism of injury suggests possible spinal trauma?
A. Fall from standing height
B. Rear-end collision at low speed
C. Fall from greater than 10 feet
D. Minor sports injury
Answer: C
15. Paradoxical movement of the chest indicates
A. Pneumothorax
B. Flail chest
C. Hemothorax
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
UPDATED exam 2026
