EMT REFRESHER CE EXAM 2026/2027 – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED STUDY
GUIDE WITH VERIFIED Q&A & DETAILED
RATIONALES
• This practice exam contains 200 verified EMT Refresher CE questions with detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE designed to reinforce clinical decision-making and test
readiness for the 2026/2027 certification cycle.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before checking the answer
— use the EXPERT RATIONALE to understand why the correct answer is right, not
just memorize it.
1. A patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally. After activating EMS,
what is your next step?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift
B. Give two rescue breaths
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Apply an AED
E. Check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds
C. Begin chest compressions
EXPERT RATIONALE: Current AHA guidelines prioritize compressions-first (C-A-B). For an
unresponsive, non-breathing adult, start chest compressions immediately at a rate of
100–120/min before opening the airway or giving breaths.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 5:1
,D. 15:1
E. 30:2
E. 30:2
EXPERT RATIONALE: The AHA recommends a 30:2 ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR to
maximize coronary perfusion pressure while allowing adequate ventilation.
3. A 45-year-old male complains of crushing chest pain radiating to the left
arm. His skin is pale and diaphoretic. What is your priority intervention?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 LPM
C. Assist with nitroglycerin immediately
D. Administer aspirin 324 mg if not contraindicated and apply oxygen if SpO₂ is
below 94%
E. Perform a 12-lead ECG and wait for ALS
D. Administer aspirin 324 mg if not contraindicated and apply oxygen if
SpO₂ is below 94%
EXPERT RATIONALE: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation in acute MI. Oxygen is
indicated only if SpO₂ <94%. This is the evidence-based BLS intervention for suspected
ACS.
4. Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of adequate chest
compressions?
A. Visible chest rise during compressions
B. A PETCO₂ reading of ≥10 mmHg
C. Palpable carotid pulse with each compression
D. Capnography reading of ≥35 mmHg
,E. Skin color improving during CPR
D. Capnography reading of ≥35 mmHg
EXPERT RATIONALE: ETCO₂ of ≥35 mmHg during CPR correlates with effective cardiac
output. Values below 10 mmHg suggest poor perfusion and are associated with poor
outcomes.
5. A patient has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute with shallow
breathing. What should you do?
A. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM
B. Place the patient in a position of comfort
C. Assist ventilations with a BVM at 10–12 breaths per minute
D. Monitor and reassess in 5 minutes
E. Administer supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula
C. Assist ventilations with a BVM at 10–12 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 6 with shallow breathing indicates inadequate
ventilation. BVM-assisted ventilation is required to prevent respiratory failure and
hypoxia.
6. What is the correct flow rate when using a non-rebreather mask?
A. 2–4 LPM
B. 6–8 LPM
C. 10–12 LPM
D. 15 LPM
E. 8–10 LPM
D. 15 LPM
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A non-rebreather mask requires 15 LPM to keep the reservoir bag
inflated and deliver approximately 90–95% FiO₂.
7. You arrive on scene to find a 3-year-old child who is unresponsive and not
breathing but has a pulse of 40 bpm. What do you do?
A. Begin CPR with 30:2 ratio
B. Begin rescue breathing at 12–20 breaths per minute
C. Apply an AED immediately
D. Begin CPR with 15:2 ratio
E. Perform a blind finger sweep to check the airway
B. Begin rescue breathing at 12–20 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pulse of 40 bpm in a child is adequate to defer compressions.
Rescue breathing alone is indicated for bradycardia with a perfusing rhythm in pediatric
patients.
8. When using a bag-valve mask, what is the ideal tidal volume to deliver?
A. Enough to cause visible, forceful chest rise
B. Enough to see chest rise — approximately 500–600 mL in adults
C. 1,000 mL per breath
D. 300 mL per breath
E. Enough to fill the mask reservoir
B. Enough to see chest rise — approximately 500–600 mL in adults
EXPERT RATIONALE: Over-ventilation causes gastric distension, aspiration risk, and
impairs venous return. The goal is modest chest rise with 500–600 mL tidal volume.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED STUDY
GUIDE WITH VERIFIED Q&A & DETAILED
RATIONALES
• This practice exam contains 200 verified EMT Refresher CE questions with detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE designed to reinforce clinical decision-making and test
readiness for the 2026/2027 certification cycle.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before checking the answer
— use the EXPERT RATIONALE to understand why the correct answer is right, not
just memorize it.
1. A patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally. After activating EMS,
what is your next step?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift
B. Give two rescue breaths
C. Begin chest compressions
D. Apply an AED
E. Check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds
C. Begin chest compressions
EXPERT RATIONALE: Current AHA guidelines prioritize compressions-first (C-A-B). For an
unresponsive, non-breathing adult, start chest compressions immediately at a rate of
100–120/min before opening the airway or giving breaths.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer
performing CPR on an adult?
A. 15:2
B. 30:1
C. 5:1
,D. 15:1
E. 30:2
E. 30:2
EXPERT RATIONALE: The AHA recommends a 30:2 ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR to
maximize coronary perfusion pressure while allowing adequate ventilation.
3. A 45-year-old male complains of crushing chest pain radiating to the left
arm. His skin is pale and diaphoretic. What is your priority intervention?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 LPM
C. Assist with nitroglycerin immediately
D. Administer aspirin 324 mg if not contraindicated and apply oxygen if SpO₂ is
below 94%
E. Perform a 12-lead ECG and wait for ALS
D. Administer aspirin 324 mg if not contraindicated and apply oxygen if
SpO₂ is below 94%
EXPERT RATIONALE: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation in acute MI. Oxygen is
indicated only if SpO₂ <94%. This is the evidence-based BLS intervention for suspected
ACS.
4. Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of adequate chest
compressions?
A. Visible chest rise during compressions
B. A PETCO₂ reading of ≥10 mmHg
C. Palpable carotid pulse with each compression
D. Capnography reading of ≥35 mmHg
,E. Skin color improving during CPR
D. Capnography reading of ≥35 mmHg
EXPERT RATIONALE: ETCO₂ of ≥35 mmHg during CPR correlates with effective cardiac
output. Values below 10 mmHg suggest poor perfusion and are associated with poor
outcomes.
5. A patient has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute with shallow
breathing. What should you do?
A. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM
B. Place the patient in a position of comfort
C. Assist ventilations with a BVM at 10–12 breaths per minute
D. Monitor and reassess in 5 minutes
E. Administer supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula
C. Assist ventilations with a BVM at 10–12 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 6 with shallow breathing indicates inadequate
ventilation. BVM-assisted ventilation is required to prevent respiratory failure and
hypoxia.
6. What is the correct flow rate when using a non-rebreather mask?
A. 2–4 LPM
B. 6–8 LPM
C. 10–12 LPM
D. 15 LPM
E. 8–10 LPM
D. 15 LPM
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A non-rebreather mask requires 15 LPM to keep the reservoir bag
inflated and deliver approximately 90–95% FiO₂.
7. You arrive on scene to find a 3-year-old child who is unresponsive and not
breathing but has a pulse of 40 bpm. What do you do?
A. Begin CPR with 30:2 ratio
B. Begin rescue breathing at 12–20 breaths per minute
C. Apply an AED immediately
D. Begin CPR with 15:2 ratio
E. Perform a blind finger sweep to check the airway
B. Begin rescue breathing at 12–20 breaths per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pulse of 40 bpm in a child is adequate to defer compressions.
Rescue breathing alone is indicated for bradycardia with a perfusing rhythm in pediatric
patients.
8. When using a bag-valve mask, what is the ideal tidal volume to deliver?
A. Enough to cause visible, forceful chest rise
B. Enough to see chest rise — approximately 500–600 mL in adults
C. 1,000 mL per breath
D. 300 mL per breath
E. Enough to fill the mask reservoir
B. Enough to see chest rise — approximately 500–600 mL in adults
EXPERT RATIONALE: Over-ventilation causes gastric distension, aspiration risk, and
impairs venous return. The goal is modest chest rise with 500–600 mL tidal volume.
