West Coast EMT Block 2 Review Exam –
Questions & Answers (Graded A+)
Question 1
A 62-year-old male complains of chest pressure, shortness of breath, and nausea.
He has a history of hypertension and diabetes. His blood pressure is 160/95, pulse
110, respirations 22, and SpO2 93%. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Administer high-flow oxygen
C. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
D. Prepare for immediate transport
Answer: C. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm.
Rationale: The patient has hypoxia (SpO2 93%) with chest pain and shortness of breath.
High-flow oxygen is the priority intervention. Aspirin administration is important but
should follow oxygen administration and assessment .
Question 2
A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The EMT should
immediately:
A. Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
B. Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute
C. Open the airway and give two rescue breaths
D. Apply an AED
Answer: B. Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
,Rationale: In cardiac arrest, high-quality CPR should begin immediately with chest
compressions. The AHA guidelines emphasize "CAB" (Compressions, Airway, Breathing)
over "ABC" .
Question 3
A patient with a respiratory rate of 6 with shallow depth and poor air movement
should receive:
A. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
B. Positive pressure ventilation with a BVM at 10-12 breaths per minute
C. Oxygen via nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm
D. Oxygen via simple face mask at 6-10 lpm
Answer: B. Positive pressure ventilation with a BVM at 10-12 breaths per minute.
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6 with shallow depth indicates respiratory failure
requiring immediate positive pressure ventilation. The correct ventilation rate for an adult
is 10-12 breaths per minute .
Question 4
A 45-year-old male complains of sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness
of breath after a long car ride. He has a history of deep vein thrombosis. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Costochondritis
Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism.
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism presents with sudden onset of sharp chest pain, shortness
of breath, and risk factors such as prolonged immobility (long car ride) and history of DVT
.
,Question 5
A patient with a history of COPD presents with respiratory distress. His SpO2 is
88%. What is the appropriate initial oxygen delivery?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
B. Nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm with target SpO2 88-92%
C. Simple face mask at 6 lpm
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Answer: B. Nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm with target SpO2 88-92%.
Rationale: COPD patients should receive oxygen with caution. The goal is to maintain
SpO2 at 88-92% to prevent suppressing the hypoxic drive. Non-rebreather mask may be
too aggressive initially .
Question 6
A patient with a respiratory rate of 30 with adequate tidal volume and SpO2 of
98% should receive:
A. No oxygen
B. Oxygen via nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm
C. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Answer: A. No oxygen.
Rationale: With adequate tidal volume and normal SpO2, oxygen is not indicated despite
the elevated respiratory rate. The patient may be in respiratory distress but is
compensating adequately .
Question 7
, A patient is choking and unable to speak. He is conscious. What is the correct
intervention?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Perform back blows
C. Perform finger sweeps
D. Administer oxygen
Answer: A. Perform abdominal thrusts.
Rationale: The conscious adult or child with a complete airway obstruction and inability
to speak should receive abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the obstruction is
cleared .
Question 8
A patient with suspected spinal injury requires ventilation. Which airway maneuver
should be used?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Neck extension
D. Head extension
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver.
Rationale: For patients with suspected spinal injury, the jaw-thrust maneuver is used to
open the airway without moving the cervical spine .
Question 9
An adult patient with a respiratory rate of 18 with adequate tidal volume and clear
breath sounds has:
A. Normal breathing
B. Tachypnea
Questions & Answers (Graded A+)
Question 1
A 62-year-old male complains of chest pressure, shortness of breath, and nausea.
He has a history of hypertension and diabetes. His blood pressure is 160/95, pulse
110, respirations 22, and SpO2 93%. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Administer high-flow oxygen
C. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
D. Prepare for immediate transport
Answer: C. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm.
Rationale: The patient has hypoxia (SpO2 93%) with chest pain and shortness of breath.
High-flow oxygen is the priority intervention. Aspirin administration is important but
should follow oxygen administration and assessment .
Question 2
A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse. The EMT should
immediately:
A. Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
B. Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute
C. Open the airway and give two rescue breaths
D. Apply an AED
Answer: B. Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
,Rationale: In cardiac arrest, high-quality CPR should begin immediately with chest
compressions. The AHA guidelines emphasize "CAB" (Compressions, Airway, Breathing)
over "ABC" .
Question 3
A patient with a respiratory rate of 6 with shallow depth and poor air movement
should receive:
A. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
B. Positive pressure ventilation with a BVM at 10-12 breaths per minute
C. Oxygen via nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm
D. Oxygen via simple face mask at 6-10 lpm
Answer: B. Positive pressure ventilation with a BVM at 10-12 breaths per minute.
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6 with shallow depth indicates respiratory failure
requiring immediate positive pressure ventilation. The correct ventilation rate for an adult
is 10-12 breaths per minute .
Question 4
A 45-year-old male complains of sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness
of breath after a long car ride. He has a history of deep vein thrombosis. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumothorax
D. Costochondritis
Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism.
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism presents with sudden onset of sharp chest pain, shortness
of breath, and risk factors such as prolonged immobility (long car ride) and history of DVT
.
,Question 5
A patient with a history of COPD presents with respiratory distress. His SpO2 is
88%. What is the appropriate initial oxygen delivery?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
B. Nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm with target SpO2 88-92%
C. Simple face mask at 6 lpm
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Answer: B. Nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm with target SpO2 88-92%.
Rationale: COPD patients should receive oxygen with caution. The goal is to maintain
SpO2 at 88-92% to prevent suppressing the hypoxic drive. Non-rebreather mask may be
too aggressive initially .
Question 6
A patient with a respiratory rate of 30 with adequate tidal volume and SpO2 of
98% should receive:
A. No oxygen
B. Oxygen via nasal cannula at 2-4 lpm
C. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 lpm
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Answer: A. No oxygen.
Rationale: With adequate tidal volume and normal SpO2, oxygen is not indicated despite
the elevated respiratory rate. The patient may be in respiratory distress but is
compensating adequately .
Question 7
, A patient is choking and unable to speak. He is conscious. What is the correct
intervention?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Perform back blows
C. Perform finger sweeps
D. Administer oxygen
Answer: A. Perform abdominal thrusts.
Rationale: The conscious adult or child with a complete airway obstruction and inability
to speak should receive abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the obstruction is
cleared .
Question 8
A patient with suspected spinal injury requires ventilation. Which airway maneuver
should be used?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Neck extension
D. Head extension
Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver.
Rationale: For patients with suspected spinal injury, the jaw-thrust maneuver is used to
open the airway without moving the cervical spine .
Question 9
An adult patient with a respiratory rate of 18 with adequate tidal volume and clear
breath sounds has:
A. Normal breathing
B. Tachypnea
