WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 REVIEW EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD
AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
● Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
● Cardiovascular Emergencies and Resuscitation
● Medical Emergencies (Diabetic, Neurological, Allergic, etc.)
● Trauma and Shock Management
● Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics
● Behavioral Emergencies and Crisis Intervention
● EMS Operations, Safety, and Incident Command
● Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in EMS
Introduction
This comprehensive review examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
critical thinking skills of EMT students and practitioners in preparation for the West
Coast EMT Block 2 final exam. The assessment covers a wide range of foundational
theory and applied professional knowledge, emphasizing real-world application and
clinical decision-making in both medical and trauma emergencies. Each question is
framed as a multiple-choice or scenario-based item to test your ability to prioritize
care, recognize pathophysiology, and apply treatment protocols. The inclusion of
detailed rationales for each answer is intended to reinforce learning and clarify the
reasoning behind correct clinical actions. Success on this exam reflects readiness for
both certification and the dynamic challenges of prehospital care.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 1
A 45-year-old male with a history of type 2 diabetes is found unresponsive by his
wife. She states he took his insulin this morning but has not eaten anything. His
blood glucose reading is "LO" on the glucometer. He has a palpable radial pulse
and is breathing at 12 breaths per minute with adequate tidal volume. After
opening his airway and suctioning, what is your next priority?
A. Administer oral glucose paste between his cheek and gum
B. Administer 50% dextrose IV push
C. Assist his ventilations with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and 100% oxygen
D. Administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Assist his ventilations with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and
100% oxygen
🔴 Explanation: The patient is unresponsive, indicating a decreased level of
consciousness which can compromise the airway. Even though he is breathing,
the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation while preparing to
treat the hypoglycemia. The patient cannot protect his airway, and oral glucose is
contraindicated in an unresponsive patient. Dextrose or glucagon can be
administered after airway and breathing are secured.
Question 2
An 18-year-old female complains of chest pain and shortness of breath after a
long car ride. She is anxious and her respiratory rate is 28. She states the pain is
,sharp and worsens with deep inspiration. Her SpO2 is 94% on room air. Which of
the following should be at the top of your differential diagnosis?
A. Hyperventilation syndrome
B. Acute myocardial infarction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Spontaneous pneumothorax
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary embolism
🔴 Explanation: This patient has risk factors for a pulmonary embolism (PE),
including a long car ride (immobility) which can lead to deep vein thrombosis.
The acute onset of pleuritic chest pain (sharp pain with inspiration), tachypnea,
and hypoxia are classic signs of a PE. While hyperventilation is possible, hypoxia
makes it less likely. Myocardial infarction is rare in this age group without risk
factors.
Question 3
You are treating a 55-year-old male with a history of COPD who is in respiratory
distress. He is alert and oriented, speaking in 2-3 word sentences, and has a non-
productive cough. He is on home oxygen at 2 L/min. His vital signs are: HR 110,
RR 28, BP 150/90, SpO2 88% on room air. You apply a non-rebreather mask at 15
L/min. After 5 minutes, his SpO2 is 96% and he states he cannot breathe. What is
the most likely cause of his deterioration?
A. He is having a myocardial infarction
B. He is hyperventilating due to anxiety
C. He has lost his hypoxic drive to breathe
D. He has developed a tension pneumothorax
🟢 Correct Answer: C. He has lost his hypoxic drive to breathe
, 🔴 Explanation: Some patients with severe COPD rely on a hypoxic drive to
stimulate their respiratory center. Administering high-flow oxygen can reduce this
hypoxic stimulus, leading to decreased respiratory effort and CO2 retention,
which can cause respiratory failure. This is a classic complication of oxygen
administration in certain COPD patients. The treatment is to maintain oxygenation
at a target SpO2 of 88-92% and to assist ventilations if needed.
Question 4
You are assisting a 30-year-old female who is having a severe allergic reaction to
peanuts. She has generalized urticaria, facial swelling, and is wheezing. You have
just administered 0.3 mg of epinephrine via auto-injector. She becomes
unresponsive and stops breathing. What is your immediate action?
A. Prepare to administer a second dose of epinephrine
B. Begin chest compressions and ventilations with CPR
C. Reassess the airway and begin BVM ventilations
D. Place her in the recovery position and administer oxygen
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Reassess the airway and begin BVM ventilations
🔴 Explanation: The patient is now apneic and unresponsive. After an initial
intervention, the priority is to reassess and secure the airway, and begin
ventilatory support with a bag-valve-mask. Chest compressions are not initiated
unless the patient is pulseless. While a second dose of epinephrine may be
considered later, the immediate action is to support breathing, as the airway is
likely compromised due to swelling.
Question 5
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD
AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
● Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
● Cardiovascular Emergencies and Resuscitation
● Medical Emergencies (Diabetic, Neurological, Allergic, etc.)
● Trauma and Shock Management
● Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics
● Behavioral Emergencies and Crisis Intervention
● EMS Operations, Safety, and Incident Command
● Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in EMS
Introduction
This comprehensive review examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
critical thinking skills of EMT students and practitioners in preparation for the West
Coast EMT Block 2 final exam. The assessment covers a wide range of foundational
theory and applied professional knowledge, emphasizing real-world application and
clinical decision-making in both medical and trauma emergencies. Each question is
framed as a multiple-choice or scenario-based item to test your ability to prioritize
care, recognize pathophysiology, and apply treatment protocols. The inclusion of
detailed rationales for each answer is intended to reinforce learning and clarify the
reasoning behind correct clinical actions. Success on this exam reflects readiness for
both certification and the dynamic challenges of prehospital care.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 1
A 45-year-old male with a history of type 2 diabetes is found unresponsive by his
wife. She states he took his insulin this morning but has not eaten anything. His
blood glucose reading is "LO" on the glucometer. He has a palpable radial pulse
and is breathing at 12 breaths per minute with adequate tidal volume. After
opening his airway and suctioning, what is your next priority?
A. Administer oral glucose paste between his cheek and gum
B. Administer 50% dextrose IV push
C. Assist his ventilations with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and 100% oxygen
D. Administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Assist his ventilations with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and
100% oxygen
🔴 Explanation: The patient is unresponsive, indicating a decreased level of
consciousness which can compromise the airway. Even though he is breathing,
the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation while preparing to
treat the hypoglycemia. The patient cannot protect his airway, and oral glucose is
contraindicated in an unresponsive patient. Dextrose or glucagon can be
administered after airway and breathing are secured.
Question 2
An 18-year-old female complains of chest pain and shortness of breath after a
long car ride. She is anxious and her respiratory rate is 28. She states the pain is
,sharp and worsens with deep inspiration. Her SpO2 is 94% on room air. Which of
the following should be at the top of your differential diagnosis?
A. Hyperventilation syndrome
B. Acute myocardial infarction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Spontaneous pneumothorax
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary embolism
🔴 Explanation: This patient has risk factors for a pulmonary embolism (PE),
including a long car ride (immobility) which can lead to deep vein thrombosis.
The acute onset of pleuritic chest pain (sharp pain with inspiration), tachypnea,
and hypoxia are classic signs of a PE. While hyperventilation is possible, hypoxia
makes it less likely. Myocardial infarction is rare in this age group without risk
factors.
Question 3
You are treating a 55-year-old male with a history of COPD who is in respiratory
distress. He is alert and oriented, speaking in 2-3 word sentences, and has a non-
productive cough. He is on home oxygen at 2 L/min. His vital signs are: HR 110,
RR 28, BP 150/90, SpO2 88% on room air. You apply a non-rebreather mask at 15
L/min. After 5 minutes, his SpO2 is 96% and he states he cannot breathe. What is
the most likely cause of his deterioration?
A. He is having a myocardial infarction
B. He is hyperventilating due to anxiety
C. He has lost his hypoxic drive to breathe
D. He has developed a tension pneumothorax
🟢 Correct Answer: C. He has lost his hypoxic drive to breathe
, 🔴 Explanation: Some patients with severe COPD rely on a hypoxic drive to
stimulate their respiratory center. Administering high-flow oxygen can reduce this
hypoxic stimulus, leading to decreased respiratory effort and CO2 retention,
which can cause respiratory failure. This is a classic complication of oxygen
administration in certain COPD patients. The treatment is to maintain oxygenation
at a target SpO2 of 88-92% and to assist ventilations if needed.
Question 4
You are assisting a 30-year-old female who is having a severe allergic reaction to
peanuts. She has generalized urticaria, facial swelling, and is wheezing. You have
just administered 0.3 mg of epinephrine via auto-injector. She becomes
unresponsive and stops breathing. What is your immediate action?
A. Prepare to administer a second dose of epinephrine
B. Begin chest compressions and ventilations with CPR
C. Reassess the airway and begin BVM ventilations
D. Place her in the recovery position and administer oxygen
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Reassess the airway and begin BVM ventilations
🔴 Explanation: The patient is now apneic and unresponsive. After an initial
intervention, the priority is to reassess and secure the airway, and begin
ventilatory support with a bag-valve-mask. Chest compressions are not initiated
unless the patient is pulseless. While a second dose of epinephrine may be
considered later, the immediate action is to support breathing, as the airway is
likely compromised due to swelling.
Question 5
