WEST COAST EMT BLOCK EXAM #2 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS UPDATED 2026 – 2027 .
What is the electrical conduction system of the heart? - correct Answers -- A network of
specialized tissue that is capable of conducting electrical current runs throughout the heart.
- The flow of electrical current causes smooth, coordinated heart contractions.
- The contractions produce the pumping action of the heart.
- Each mechanical contraction is associated with two electrical processes: 1. Depolarization:
electrical charges on the surface of the muscle cell change from positive to negative 2.
Repolarization: the heart returns to its resting state, and the positive charge is restored to the
surface
- Electrical impulses begin high in the atria at the sinoatrial node, travel to the atrioventricular
node and bundle of His, and then move through the Purkinje fibers to the ventricles.
What are the layers of the blood vessels? - correct Answers -Adventitia (outer layer), tunica
media (middle layer), tunica (intima) inner layer
What is the function of the adventitia (outlet layer)? - correct Answers -- provides structural
support and shape to the vessel
What is the function of the tunica media (middle layer)? - correct Answers -- composed of elastic
and muscular tissue which regulates the internal diameter of the vessel
What is the function of the tunica intima (inner layer)? - correct Answers -- consists of an
endothelial lining which provides a frictionless pathway for the movement of blood
1
,Name all 6 pulses - correct Answers -- Carotid artery pulse
- Femoral artery pulse
- Radial artery pulse
- Brachial artery pulse
- Posterior tibial artery pulse
- Dorsalis pedis pulse
Where is the Carotid artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- At the upper portion of the neck
Where is the femoral artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- In the groin
Where is the Radial pulse located? - correct Answers -- At the wrist at the base of the thumb
Where is the Brachial artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- Medial aspect of the arm,
midway between elbow and shoulder
Where is the Posterior tibia artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- Posterior to the medial
malleolus
Where is the Dorsalis pedis artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- On the top of the foot
What is Inhalation? - correct Answers -- Active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into
the airway and lungs
- Also a medication delivery route
What is Exhalation? - correct Answers -- Passive part of the breathing process
- Diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax
- forcing air out of the lungs
2
, What is Respiration? - correct Answers -- Physiologic process of exchanging oxygen and carbon
dioxide
- in context of environment emergencies it is the loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is
exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
What is Ventilation? - correct Answers -- Exchange of air between the lungs and the
environment
- Spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT
What is the Epiglottis? - correct Answers -- Thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into
the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering
What is the Pharynx? - correct Answers -- Upper airway
- also known as the throat
- extends from nose and mouth to the esophagus and trachea
- composed of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx
What is the Uvula? - correct Answers -- the teardrop-shaped piece of soft tissue that hangs down
from the roof of your mouth.
What is the anatomy of the upper airway and its main function? - correct Answers -- Consists of
the nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
- Major functions are to warm, filter, and humidify air as it enters the body through the nose and
mouth.
What is the anatomy of the lower airway and its main function? - correct Answers -- Main
function of the lower airway is to deliver oxygen to the alveoli.
- External boundaries consists of the fourth cervical vertebra and the xiphoid process.
- The trachea/windpipe is responsible for air entry into the lungs
- Bronchi and heart
- vena cava and aorta
3
WITH ANSWERS UPDATED 2026 – 2027 .
What is the electrical conduction system of the heart? - correct Answers -- A network of
specialized tissue that is capable of conducting electrical current runs throughout the heart.
- The flow of electrical current causes smooth, coordinated heart contractions.
- The contractions produce the pumping action of the heart.
- Each mechanical contraction is associated with two electrical processes: 1. Depolarization:
electrical charges on the surface of the muscle cell change from positive to negative 2.
Repolarization: the heart returns to its resting state, and the positive charge is restored to the
surface
- Electrical impulses begin high in the atria at the sinoatrial node, travel to the atrioventricular
node and bundle of His, and then move through the Purkinje fibers to the ventricles.
What are the layers of the blood vessels? - correct Answers -Adventitia (outer layer), tunica
media (middle layer), tunica (intima) inner layer
What is the function of the adventitia (outlet layer)? - correct Answers -- provides structural
support and shape to the vessel
What is the function of the tunica media (middle layer)? - correct Answers -- composed of elastic
and muscular tissue which regulates the internal diameter of the vessel
What is the function of the tunica intima (inner layer)? - correct Answers -- consists of an
endothelial lining which provides a frictionless pathway for the movement of blood
1
,Name all 6 pulses - correct Answers -- Carotid artery pulse
- Femoral artery pulse
- Radial artery pulse
- Brachial artery pulse
- Posterior tibial artery pulse
- Dorsalis pedis pulse
Where is the Carotid artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- At the upper portion of the neck
Where is the femoral artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- In the groin
Where is the Radial pulse located? - correct Answers -- At the wrist at the base of the thumb
Where is the Brachial artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- Medial aspect of the arm,
midway between elbow and shoulder
Where is the Posterior tibia artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- Posterior to the medial
malleolus
Where is the Dorsalis pedis artery pulse located? - correct Answers -- On the top of the foot
What is Inhalation? - correct Answers -- Active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into
the airway and lungs
- Also a medication delivery route
What is Exhalation? - correct Answers -- Passive part of the breathing process
- Diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax
- forcing air out of the lungs
2
, What is Respiration? - correct Answers -- Physiologic process of exchanging oxygen and carbon
dioxide
- in context of environment emergencies it is the loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is
exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
What is Ventilation? - correct Answers -- Exchange of air between the lungs and the
environment
- Spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT
What is the Epiglottis? - correct Answers -- Thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into
the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering
What is the Pharynx? - correct Answers -- Upper airway
- also known as the throat
- extends from nose and mouth to the esophagus and trachea
- composed of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx
What is the Uvula? - correct Answers -- the teardrop-shaped piece of soft tissue that hangs down
from the roof of your mouth.
What is the anatomy of the upper airway and its main function? - correct Answers -- Consists of
the nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
- Major functions are to warm, filter, and humidify air as it enters the body through the nose and
mouth.
What is the anatomy of the lower airway and its main function? - correct Answers -- Main
function of the lower airway is to deliver oxygen to the alveoli.
- External boundaries consists of the fourth cervical vertebra and the xiphoid process.
- The trachea/windpipe is responsible for air entry into the lungs
- Bronchi and heart
- vena cava and aorta
3
