WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 EXAM REVIEW – QUESTIONS AND
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1. You are treating a 45-year-old male who complains of sudden onset shortness of breath
and left-sided chest pain. During your primary assessment, you note absent breath sounds
on the left side of the chest and tracheal deviation to the right. Which of the following is the
most appropriate immediate field intervention?
A. Administering high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask and preparing for rapid transport
B. Performing a needle chest decompression at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line
C. Applying a three-sided occlusive dressing and monitoring for clinical improvement
D. Initiating positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve-mask device at a rate of 12 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B. Performing a needle chest decompression at the second intercostal
space, midclavicular line
The clinical presentation of absent breath sounds and tracheal deviation indicates a tension
pneumothorax, which compromises venous return and causes obstructive shock. Immediate
needle decompression relieves the intrapleural pressure. Option A delays life-saving
intervention, option C is for an open pneumothorax, and option D can worsen intrathoracic
pressure.
2. An EMT is assessing an unresponsive 60-year-old female found slumped over in a chair.
There is no trauma suspected. What is the very first step the EMT should take in managing
this patient?
A. Check for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Open the airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver without head extension
C. Assess the patient's level of responsiveness using the AVPU scale
D. Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask immediately
Correct Answer: C. Assess the patient's level of responsiveness using the AVPU scale
The initial step of the primary assessment in any patient encounter is determining
responsiveness (Alert, Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive). Option A is performed during the
,secondary/circulation check if unresponsive, option B is for trauma, and option D is
premature before establishing airway and breathing status.
3. You respond to a motor vehicle collision and find a driver complaining of severe neck
pain. When you approach, you notice gasoline leaking from the engine compartment and
smoke starting to emerge. What is your immediate priority?
A. Perform a rapid trauma assessment while still inside the vehicle
B. Immediately apply a cervical collar and secure the patient to a long backboard
C. Rapidly extricate the patient from the vehicle due to immediate environmental hazard
D. Wait for the fire department to completely suppress any potential fire before touching the vehicle
Correct Answer: C. Rapidly extricate the patient from the vehicle due to immediate
environmental hazard
Scene safety is paramount. When an immediate life hazard like fire or hazardous material
leak is present, rapid extrication takes precedence over standard spinal immobilization
protocols to prevent patient harm. Waiting or performing prolonged in-car assessments puts
the crew and patient at severe risk.
4. A 22-year-old male has sustained a deep laceration to his right forearm with bright red
blood spurting rhythmically from the wound. Direct pressure applied by a bystander has
failed to control the hemorrhage. What is the next most appropriate step?
A. Elevate the affected arm above the level of the heart while maintaining pressure
B. Apply a manufactured arterial tourniquet proximal to the bleeding site
C. Apply pressure points at the brachial artery using digital compression
D. Pack the wound tightly with plain sterile gauze and wrap loosely with a roller bandage
Correct Answer: B. Apply a manufactured arterial tourniquet proximal to the bleeding site
According to current evidence-based trauma guidelines, severe extremity hemorrhage that is
not controlled by direct pressure should be treated immediately with a proximal arterial
tourniquet. Elevation and pressure points are no longer recommended as primary
interventions for life-threatening arterial bleeding.
5. During the assessment of a trauma patient, you check for the "pulse pressure." Which of
the following best defines pulse pressure?
A. The sum of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings divided by two
B. The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure
, C. The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body's arteries during ventricular
contraction
D. The lowest pressure in the arteries that occurs when the ventricles are relaxing
Correct Answer: B. The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic
blood pressure
Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure. A
narrowing pulse pressure can indicate compensatory shock or cardiac tamponade, whereas a
widening pulse pressure can indicate increased intracranial pressure.
6. An EMT is ventilating an adult patient in cardiac arrest using a bag-valve-mask device
attached to high-flow oxygen. An advanced airway has not been placed. What is the correct
ventilation rate and delivery duration?
A. 10 to 12 breaths per minute, delivered over 1 second
B. 8 to 10 breaths per minute, delivered over 1 second, coordinated with compressions
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute), delivered over 1 second, asynchronous with
compressions
D. 12 to 20 breaths per minute, delivered over 2 seconds to ensure alveolar recruitment
Correct Answer: C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute), delivered over 1
second, asynchronous with compressions
For an adult in cardiac arrest with an unprotected airway, ventilations should be delivered at
a rate of 10 breaths per minute (one breath every 6 seconds) over 1 second. High ventilation
rates or excessive volume increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce coronary and cerebral
perfusion.
7. You are assessing a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals high-pitched, whistling sounds primarily heard during expiration. How
should you document these breath sounds?
A. Rhonchi
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Wheezes
Correct Answer: D. Wheezes
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE |
EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST| DOWNLOAD
INSTANT PDF
1. You are treating a 45-year-old male who complains of sudden onset shortness of breath
and left-sided chest pain. During your primary assessment, you note absent breath sounds
on the left side of the chest and tracheal deviation to the right. Which of the following is the
most appropriate immediate field intervention?
A. Administering high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask and preparing for rapid transport
B. Performing a needle chest decompression at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line
C. Applying a three-sided occlusive dressing and monitoring for clinical improvement
D. Initiating positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve-mask device at a rate of 12 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B. Performing a needle chest decompression at the second intercostal
space, midclavicular line
The clinical presentation of absent breath sounds and tracheal deviation indicates a tension
pneumothorax, which compromises venous return and causes obstructive shock. Immediate
needle decompression relieves the intrapleural pressure. Option A delays life-saving
intervention, option C is for an open pneumothorax, and option D can worsen intrathoracic
pressure.
2. An EMT is assessing an unresponsive 60-year-old female found slumped over in a chair.
There is no trauma suspected. What is the very first step the EMT should take in managing
this patient?
A. Check for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Open the airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver without head extension
C. Assess the patient's level of responsiveness using the AVPU scale
D. Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask immediately
Correct Answer: C. Assess the patient's level of responsiveness using the AVPU scale
The initial step of the primary assessment in any patient encounter is determining
responsiveness (Alert, Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive). Option A is performed during the
,secondary/circulation check if unresponsive, option B is for trauma, and option D is
premature before establishing airway and breathing status.
3. You respond to a motor vehicle collision and find a driver complaining of severe neck
pain. When you approach, you notice gasoline leaking from the engine compartment and
smoke starting to emerge. What is your immediate priority?
A. Perform a rapid trauma assessment while still inside the vehicle
B. Immediately apply a cervical collar and secure the patient to a long backboard
C. Rapidly extricate the patient from the vehicle due to immediate environmental hazard
D. Wait for the fire department to completely suppress any potential fire before touching the vehicle
Correct Answer: C. Rapidly extricate the patient from the vehicle due to immediate
environmental hazard
Scene safety is paramount. When an immediate life hazard like fire or hazardous material
leak is present, rapid extrication takes precedence over standard spinal immobilization
protocols to prevent patient harm. Waiting or performing prolonged in-car assessments puts
the crew and patient at severe risk.
4. A 22-year-old male has sustained a deep laceration to his right forearm with bright red
blood spurting rhythmically from the wound. Direct pressure applied by a bystander has
failed to control the hemorrhage. What is the next most appropriate step?
A. Elevate the affected arm above the level of the heart while maintaining pressure
B. Apply a manufactured arterial tourniquet proximal to the bleeding site
C. Apply pressure points at the brachial artery using digital compression
D. Pack the wound tightly with plain sterile gauze and wrap loosely with a roller bandage
Correct Answer: B. Apply a manufactured arterial tourniquet proximal to the bleeding site
According to current evidence-based trauma guidelines, severe extremity hemorrhage that is
not controlled by direct pressure should be treated immediately with a proximal arterial
tourniquet. Elevation and pressure points are no longer recommended as primary
interventions for life-threatening arterial bleeding.
5. During the assessment of a trauma patient, you check for the "pulse pressure." Which of
the following best defines pulse pressure?
A. The sum of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings divided by two
B. The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure
, C. The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body's arteries during ventricular
contraction
D. The lowest pressure in the arteries that occurs when the ventricles are relaxing
Correct Answer: B. The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic
blood pressure
Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure. A
narrowing pulse pressure can indicate compensatory shock or cardiac tamponade, whereas a
widening pulse pressure can indicate increased intracranial pressure.
6. An EMT is ventilating an adult patient in cardiac arrest using a bag-valve-mask device
attached to high-flow oxygen. An advanced airway has not been placed. What is the correct
ventilation rate and delivery duration?
A. 10 to 12 breaths per minute, delivered over 1 second
B. 8 to 10 breaths per minute, delivered over 1 second, coordinated with compressions
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute), delivered over 1 second, asynchronous with
compressions
D. 12 to 20 breaths per minute, delivered over 2 seconds to ensure alveolar recruitment
Correct Answer: C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute), delivered over 1
second, asynchronous with compressions
For an adult in cardiac arrest with an unprotected airway, ventilations should be delivered at
a rate of 10 breaths per minute (one breath every 6 seconds) over 1 second. High ventilation
rates or excessive volume increase intrathoracic pressure and reduce coronary and cerebral
perfusion.
7. You are assessing a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals high-pitched, whistling sounds primarily heard during expiration. How
should you document these breath sounds?
A. Rhonchi
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Wheezes
Correct Answer: D. Wheezes
