WEST COAST EMT BLOCK #2 EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
FOR EMT CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Which of the following statements regarding breathing adequacy is correct?
Select one:
A. The single most reliable sign of breathing adequacy in the adult is his or
her respiratory rate.
B. A patient with slow respirations and adequate depth will experience an
increase in minute volume.
C. Patients with a grossly irregular breathing pattern usually do not require
assisted ventilation.
D. Patients breathing shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a
normal respiratory rate. - CORRECT ANSWER -D. Patients breathing
shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a normal respiratory
rate.
Which of the following statements regarding normal gas exchange in the
lungs is correct?
Select one:
A. Blood that returns to the lungs from the body has low levels of carbon
dioxide.
B. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar walls and
capillaries.
,C. The oxygen content in the alveoli is highest during the exhalation phase.
D. The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the
capillaries. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse
across the alveolar walls and capillaries.
Which of the following statements regarding oxygen is correct?
Select one:
A. Oxygen supports the combustion process and may cause a fire.
B. Oxygen cylinders must always remain in an upright position.
C. Oxygen is most safely administered in an enclosed environment.
D. Oxygen is flammable and may explode if under high pressure. -
CORRECT ANSWER -A. Oxygen supports the combustion process and may
cause a fire.
Which of the following structures is NOT found in the upper airway?
Select one:
A. Larynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Bronchus
D. Pharynx - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Bronchus
You are performing mouth-to-mask ventilations with oxygen connected
and set at a flow rate of 15 L/min. What percentage of oxygen is your
patient receiving?
Select one:
A. 75%
,B. 65%
C. 55%
D. 45% - CORRECT ANSWER -C. 55%
You are ventilating a patient with a stoma; however, air is escaping from
the mouth and nose. To prevent this, you should:
Select one:
A. ventilate with less pressure.
B. thoroughly suction the stoma.
C. seal the mouth and nose.
D. thrust the jaw forward. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. seal the mouth and nose.
A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an
altercation at a bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is
conscious. He is screaming in pain and is attempting to control the
bleeding, which is bright red and spurting from his groin area. You should:
Select one:
A. elevate his legs and keep him warm.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
C. administer 100% supplemental oxygen.
D. ensure that his airway is patent. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. apply direct
pressure to the wound.
A palpable pulse is created by:
Select one:
A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction.
, B. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries.
C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. -
CORRECT ANSWER -C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by
cardiac contraction.
An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. Your initial care should focus
on:
Select one:
A. providing immediate transport.
B. obtaining baseline vital signs.
C. airway, breathing, and circulation.
D. gathering medical history data. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. airway,
breathing, and circulation
An injured patient is assigned a total score of 9 on the GCS. He is assigned a
score of 2 for eye opening, a score of 3 for verbal response, and a score of 4
for motor response. Which of the following clinical findings is consistent
with his GCS score?
Select one:
A. Opens eyes in response to voice, makes incomprehensible sounds,
localizes pain
B. Opens eyes spontaneously, is confused when spoken to, exhibits
abnormal flexion
C. Eyes remain closed, makes incomprehensible sounds, exhibits abnormal
extension
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
FOR EMT CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Which of the following statements regarding breathing adequacy is correct?
Select one:
A. The single most reliable sign of breathing adequacy in the adult is his or
her respiratory rate.
B. A patient with slow respirations and adequate depth will experience an
increase in minute volume.
C. Patients with a grossly irregular breathing pattern usually do not require
assisted ventilation.
D. Patients breathing shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a
normal respiratory rate. - CORRECT ANSWER -D. Patients breathing
shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a normal respiratory
rate.
Which of the following statements regarding normal gas exchange in the
lungs is correct?
Select one:
A. Blood that returns to the lungs from the body has low levels of carbon
dioxide.
B. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar walls and
capillaries.
,C. The oxygen content in the alveoli is highest during the exhalation phase.
D. The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the
capillaries. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse
across the alveolar walls and capillaries.
Which of the following statements regarding oxygen is correct?
Select one:
A. Oxygen supports the combustion process and may cause a fire.
B. Oxygen cylinders must always remain in an upright position.
C. Oxygen is most safely administered in an enclosed environment.
D. Oxygen is flammable and may explode if under high pressure. -
CORRECT ANSWER -A. Oxygen supports the combustion process and may
cause a fire.
Which of the following structures is NOT found in the upper airway?
Select one:
A. Larynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Bronchus
D. Pharynx - CORRECT ANSWER -C. Bronchus
You are performing mouth-to-mask ventilations with oxygen connected
and set at a flow rate of 15 L/min. What percentage of oxygen is your
patient receiving?
Select one:
A. 75%
,B. 65%
C. 55%
D. 45% - CORRECT ANSWER -C. 55%
You are ventilating a patient with a stoma; however, air is escaping from
the mouth and nose. To prevent this, you should:
Select one:
A. ventilate with less pressure.
B. thoroughly suction the stoma.
C. seal the mouth and nose.
D. thrust the jaw forward. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. seal the mouth and nose.
A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an
altercation at a bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is
conscious. He is screaming in pain and is attempting to control the
bleeding, which is bright red and spurting from his groin area. You should:
Select one:
A. elevate his legs and keep him warm.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
C. administer 100% supplemental oxygen.
D. ensure that his airway is patent. - CORRECT ANSWER -B. apply direct
pressure to the wound.
A palpable pulse is created by:
Select one:
A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction.
, B. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries.
C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. -
CORRECT ANSWER -C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by
cardiac contraction.
An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. Your initial care should focus
on:
Select one:
A. providing immediate transport.
B. obtaining baseline vital signs.
C. airway, breathing, and circulation.
D. gathering medical history data. - CORRECT ANSWER -C. airway,
breathing, and circulation
An injured patient is assigned a total score of 9 on the GCS. He is assigned a
score of 2 for eye opening, a score of 3 for verbal response, and a score of 4
for motor response. Which of the following clinical findings is consistent
with his GCS score?
Select one:
A. Opens eyes in response to voice, makes incomprehensible sounds,
localizes pain
B. Opens eyes spontaneously, is confused when spoken to, exhibits
abnormal flexion
C. Eyes remain closed, makes incomprehensible sounds, exhibits abnormal
extension
