USAF EMS PROTOCOLS 2026| 120
QUESTIONS| COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Course
EMS
1. A patient is found unconscious and not breathing normally. What should the EMS
provider do first?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Begin CPR and activate emergency response procedures
C. Administer oral medication
D. Transport immediately without treatment
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR and activate emergency response procedures
Rationale:
An unresponsive patient with abnormal or absent breathing requires immediate life-saving
intervention. Early CPR and rapid activation of emergency response systems improve survival
outcomes.
2. Which assessment approach is used first in a life-threatening emergency?
A. Secondary assessment
B. SAMPLE history
C. Primary assessment (ABCDE)
D. Detailed physical examination
Correct Answer: C. Primary assessment (ABCDE)
Rationale:
The primary assessment identifies and treats immediate threats to life by evaluating Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
3. During airway management, which intervention is appropriate for an unconscious
patient without suspected spinal injury?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
B. Giving fluids by mouth
C. Placing the patient face down
D. Delaying airway evaluation
,Correct Answer: A. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
Rationale:
The head-tilt chin-lift opens the airway by moving the tongue away from the posterior pharynx
when spinal injury is not suspected.
4. Which device is used to provide high-concentration oxygen to a patient with severe
respiratory distress?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Non-rebreather mask
C. Simple face mask only
D. No oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: B. Non-rebreather mask
Rationale:
A non-rebreather mask delivers a high concentration of oxygen and is commonly used for
patients with significant hypoxia or respiratory compromise.
5. A patient experiencing chest pain is suspected of having acute coronary syndrome.
Which medication may be administered if allowed by protocol and no contraindications
exist?
A. Aspirin
B. Insulin
C. Antibiotics
D. Antacid only
Correct Answer: A. Aspirin
Rationale:
Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and may reduce clot progression in suspected cardiac
ischemia when appropriate.
6. What is the primary purpose of triage during a mass casualty incident?
A. Treat the loudest patient first
B. Prioritize patients based on severity and available resources
C. Transport only ambulatory patients
D. Delay patient assessment
,Correct Answer: B. Prioritize patients based on severity and available resources
Rationale:
Triage ensures limited medical resources are directed toward patients with the greatest chance of
survival.
7. Which finding indicates inadequate breathing requiring immediate intervention?
A. Normal respiratory rate and effort
B. Clear speech and normal oxygenation
C. Cyanosis and altered mental status
D. Mild anxiety only
Correct Answer: C. Cyanosis and altered mental status
Rationale:
Cyanosis and altered mental status suggest poor oxygen delivery and possible respiratory failure
requiring rapid intervention.
8. What is the purpose of spinal motion restriction during trauma care?
A. Prevent movement that may worsen spinal injury
B. Increase patient discomfort
C. Delay emergency treatment
D. Replace airway management
Correct Answer: A. Prevent movement that may worsen spinal injury
Rationale:
Spinal motion restriction minimizes movement of potentially injured spinal structures while
allowing appropriate treatment.
9. Which information is included in a SAMPLE patient history?
A. Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, past history, last intake, events
B. Only blood pressure readings
C. Insurance information only
D. Transportation details only
Correct Answer: A. Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, past history, last intake,
events
, Rationale:
The SAMPLE mnemonic provides important background information that helps guide EMS
assessment and treatment decisions.
10. After providing patient care, what is an important EMS responsibility?
A. Complete accurate documentation
B. Ignore treatment details
C. Discard patient records
D. Avoid reporting changes in condition
Correct Answer: A. Complete accurate documentation
Rationale:
Accurate documentation supports continuity of care, quality improvement, legal requirements,
and medical oversight.
11. A trauma patient has severe external bleeding from an extremity. What is the first
intervention?
A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
B. Obtain a complete medical history
C. Administer oral fluids
D. Delay treatment until transport
Correct Answer: A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
Rationale:
Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for controlling severe external bleeding. Rapid
hemorrhage control prevents shock and death.
12. Which vital sign change may indicate early shock?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Slow breathing with normal skin
C. Increased urine output
D. Lower temperature only
Correct Answer: A. Increased heart rate
Rationale:
Tachycardia is often an early compensatory response as the body attempts to maintain circulation
during shock.
QUESTIONS| COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Course
EMS
1. A patient is found unconscious and not breathing normally. What should the EMS
provider do first?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Begin CPR and activate emergency response procedures
C. Administer oral medication
D. Transport immediately without treatment
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR and activate emergency response procedures
Rationale:
An unresponsive patient with abnormal or absent breathing requires immediate life-saving
intervention. Early CPR and rapid activation of emergency response systems improve survival
outcomes.
2. Which assessment approach is used first in a life-threatening emergency?
A. Secondary assessment
B. SAMPLE history
C. Primary assessment (ABCDE)
D. Detailed physical examination
Correct Answer: C. Primary assessment (ABCDE)
Rationale:
The primary assessment identifies and treats immediate threats to life by evaluating Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
3. During airway management, which intervention is appropriate for an unconscious
patient without suspected spinal injury?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
B. Giving fluids by mouth
C. Placing the patient face down
D. Delaying airway evaluation
,Correct Answer: A. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
Rationale:
The head-tilt chin-lift opens the airway by moving the tongue away from the posterior pharynx
when spinal injury is not suspected.
4. Which device is used to provide high-concentration oxygen to a patient with severe
respiratory distress?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Non-rebreather mask
C. Simple face mask only
D. No oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: B. Non-rebreather mask
Rationale:
A non-rebreather mask delivers a high concentration of oxygen and is commonly used for
patients with significant hypoxia or respiratory compromise.
5. A patient experiencing chest pain is suspected of having acute coronary syndrome.
Which medication may be administered if allowed by protocol and no contraindications
exist?
A. Aspirin
B. Insulin
C. Antibiotics
D. Antacid only
Correct Answer: A. Aspirin
Rationale:
Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and may reduce clot progression in suspected cardiac
ischemia when appropriate.
6. What is the primary purpose of triage during a mass casualty incident?
A. Treat the loudest patient first
B. Prioritize patients based on severity and available resources
C. Transport only ambulatory patients
D. Delay patient assessment
,Correct Answer: B. Prioritize patients based on severity and available resources
Rationale:
Triage ensures limited medical resources are directed toward patients with the greatest chance of
survival.
7. Which finding indicates inadequate breathing requiring immediate intervention?
A. Normal respiratory rate and effort
B. Clear speech and normal oxygenation
C. Cyanosis and altered mental status
D. Mild anxiety only
Correct Answer: C. Cyanosis and altered mental status
Rationale:
Cyanosis and altered mental status suggest poor oxygen delivery and possible respiratory failure
requiring rapid intervention.
8. What is the purpose of spinal motion restriction during trauma care?
A. Prevent movement that may worsen spinal injury
B. Increase patient discomfort
C. Delay emergency treatment
D. Replace airway management
Correct Answer: A. Prevent movement that may worsen spinal injury
Rationale:
Spinal motion restriction minimizes movement of potentially injured spinal structures while
allowing appropriate treatment.
9. Which information is included in a SAMPLE patient history?
A. Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, past history, last intake, events
B. Only blood pressure readings
C. Insurance information only
D. Transportation details only
Correct Answer: A. Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, past history, last intake,
events
, Rationale:
The SAMPLE mnemonic provides important background information that helps guide EMS
assessment and treatment decisions.
10. After providing patient care, what is an important EMS responsibility?
A. Complete accurate documentation
B. Ignore treatment details
C. Discard patient records
D. Avoid reporting changes in condition
Correct Answer: A. Complete accurate documentation
Rationale:
Accurate documentation supports continuity of care, quality improvement, legal requirements,
and medical oversight.
11. A trauma patient has severe external bleeding from an extremity. What is the first
intervention?
A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
B. Obtain a complete medical history
C. Administer oral fluids
D. Delay treatment until transport
Correct Answer: A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
Rationale:
Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for controlling severe external bleeding. Rapid
hemorrhage control prevents shock and death.
12. Which vital sign change may indicate early shock?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Slow breathing with normal skin
C. Increased urine output
D. Lower temperature only
Correct Answer: A. Increased heart rate
Rationale:
Tachycardia is often an early compensatory response as the body attempts to maintain circulation
during shock.
