West Coast EMT Block 2 Review Exam | Latest Update
2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified Answers |
NREMTAligned Practice Test | A+ Graded
1. A 60yearold man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. What is the EMT's priority
action?
A) Check for a medical alert bracelet
B) Begin chest compressions
C) Open the airway with a headtilt chinlift
D) Attach the AED
Answer: B) Begin chest compressions
Explanation: In an unresponsive, pulseless, apneic patient, highquality CPR should be initiated
immediately. Chest compressions are the priority to restore perfusion to vital organs. The sequence is
compressions, airway, breathing (CAB) for adults per current AHA guidelines.
2. Which of the following is the correct compressiontoventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Answer: B) 30:2
,Explanation: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an adult, the compressiontoventilation ratio is 30:2.
For tworescuer adult CPR, the ratio is also 30:2. For pediatric patients, the ratio changes to 15:2 for two
rescuers.
3. What is the recommended depth for chest compressions in an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Answer: B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Explanation: The AHA recommends compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4
inches (6 cm) for adults. Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
4. A patient is in respiratory arrest but has a pulse. What is the appropriate ventilation rate for an adult?
A) 810 breaths per minute
B) 1012 breaths per minute
C) 1220 breaths per minute
D) 2024 breaths per minute
Answer: B) 1012 breaths per minute
Explanation: For an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse, provide one ventilation every 56 seconds
(1012 breaths per minute). Each ventilation should be delivered over 1 second and produce visible chest
rise.
,5. Which of the following is an indication for using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A) Severe facial trauma with suspected skull fracture
B) Unresponsive patient with an intact gag reflex
C) Conscious patient with a gag reflex
D) Suspected basilar skull fracture
Answer: B) Unresponsive patient with an intact gag reflex
Explanation: An NPA can be used in patients who are unresponsive or have an altered level of
consciousness with an intact gag reflex. It is contraindicated in patients with suspected skull fractures or
severe facial trauma due to the risk of penetrating the brain.
6. What is the maximum suctioning time for an adult patient?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: C) 15 seconds
Explanation: Suctioning should not exceed 15 seconds in adults to prevent hypoxia. For pediatric
patients, the maximum is 10 seconds, and for infants, it is 5 seconds.
, 7. A patient is wheezing and has a history of asthma. Which medication would the EMT most likely assist
the patient in administering?
A) Albuterol
B) Epinephrine
C) Nitroglycerin
D) Aspirin
Answer: A) Albuterol
Explanation: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat bronchospasm in asthma and COPD. EMTs may
assist patients with prescribed metereddose inhalers (MDIs). Epinephrine is used for anaphylaxis, not
routine asthma exacerbations.
8. What is the primary indication for administering oxygen via a nonrebreather mask?
A) Mild respiratory distress with SpO2 > 95%
B) Severe respiratory distress or hypoxia
C) Routine oxygen administration
D) Suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
Answer: B) Severe respiratory distress or hypoxia
Explanation: A nonrebreather mask delivers highconcentration oxygen (up to 9095%) and is indicated
for patients with severe respiratory distress, hypoxia, or when highflow oxygen is needed. It should be
used with a reservoir bag and flow rate of 1015 L/min.
9. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing?
2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified Answers |
NREMTAligned Practice Test | A+ Graded
1. A 60yearold man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. What is the EMT's priority
action?
A) Check for a medical alert bracelet
B) Begin chest compressions
C) Open the airway with a headtilt chinlift
D) Attach the AED
Answer: B) Begin chest compressions
Explanation: In an unresponsive, pulseless, apneic patient, highquality CPR should be initiated
immediately. Chest compressions are the priority to restore perfusion to vital organs. The sequence is
compressions, airway, breathing (CAB) for adults per current AHA guidelines.
2. Which of the following is the correct compressiontoventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing
CPR on an adult?
A) 15:2
B) 30:2
C) 30:1
D) 15:1
Answer: B) 30:2
,Explanation: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an adult, the compressiontoventilation ratio is 30:2.
For tworescuer adult CPR, the ratio is also 30:2. For pediatric patients, the ratio changes to 15:2 for two
rescuers.
3. What is the recommended depth for chest compressions in an adult during CPR?
A) At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C) At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D) At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Answer: B) At least 2 inches (5 cm)
Explanation: The AHA recommends compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4
inches (6 cm) for adults. Adequate depth ensures sufficient blood flow to vital organs.
4. A patient is in respiratory arrest but has a pulse. What is the appropriate ventilation rate for an adult?
A) 810 breaths per minute
B) 1012 breaths per minute
C) 1220 breaths per minute
D) 2024 breaths per minute
Answer: B) 1012 breaths per minute
Explanation: For an adult in respiratory arrest with a pulse, provide one ventilation every 56 seconds
(1012 breaths per minute). Each ventilation should be delivered over 1 second and produce visible chest
rise.
,5. Which of the following is an indication for using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A) Severe facial trauma with suspected skull fracture
B) Unresponsive patient with an intact gag reflex
C) Conscious patient with a gag reflex
D) Suspected basilar skull fracture
Answer: B) Unresponsive patient with an intact gag reflex
Explanation: An NPA can be used in patients who are unresponsive or have an altered level of
consciousness with an intact gag reflex. It is contraindicated in patients with suspected skull fractures or
severe facial trauma due to the risk of penetrating the brain.
6. What is the maximum suctioning time for an adult patient?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
Answer: C) 15 seconds
Explanation: Suctioning should not exceed 15 seconds in adults to prevent hypoxia. For pediatric
patients, the maximum is 10 seconds, and for infants, it is 5 seconds.
, 7. A patient is wheezing and has a history of asthma. Which medication would the EMT most likely assist
the patient in administering?
A) Albuterol
B) Epinephrine
C) Nitroglycerin
D) Aspirin
Answer: A) Albuterol
Explanation: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat bronchospasm in asthma and COPD. EMTs may
assist patients with prescribed metereddose inhalers (MDIs). Epinephrine is used for anaphylaxis, not
routine asthma exacerbations.
8. What is the primary indication for administering oxygen via a nonrebreather mask?
A) Mild respiratory distress with SpO2 > 95%
B) Severe respiratory distress or hypoxia
C) Routine oxygen administration
D) Suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
Answer: B) Severe respiratory distress or hypoxia
Explanation: A nonrebreather mask delivers highconcentration oxygen (up to 9095%) and is indicated
for patients with severe respiratory distress, hypoxia, or when highflow oxygen is needed. It should be
used with a reservoir bag and flow rate of 1015 L/min.
9. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing?
