WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 REVIEW EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
Cardiovascular Emergencies and Resuscitation
*Medical Emergencies (Diabetic, Allergic, Poisoning) *
Trauma Systems and Shock Management
Obstetrics and Pediatric Emergencies
Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Crises
EMS Operations and Incident Command
Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Prehospital Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge base and critical decision-making skills
of the emergency medical technician (EMT) student following the completion of Block 2 curriculum. It moves beyond
simple recall, challenging you to apply foundational theories, clinical protocols, and ethical standards to complex, real-
world prehospital scenarios. The exam is structured as a series of multiple-choice questions that mirror the format and
cognitive demand of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Each question
emphasizes clinical reasoning, scene safety, patient advocacy, and the practical application of life-saving interventions,
preparing you not just for a test, but for the dynamic and demanding environment of emergency medical services.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. A 45-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to his back. He is
diaphoretic and reports a pulsating mass in his abdomen. His blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg and heart rate is
120 bpm. What is the most likely underlying condition?
A. Acute Myocardial Infarction
B. Pulmonary Embolism
C. Aortic Dissection
D. Pericarditis
🟢 C. Aortic Dissection
🔴 Explanation: The classic presentation of an aortic dissection is sudden, severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to
the back. The presence of a pulsatile abdominal mass and hypotension suggests a dissecting aneurysm that may
have compromised blood flow or is leaking. The symptoms of an MI (A) can be similar but typically do not involve
radiating back pain or a pulsatile mass. Pulmonary embolism (B) usually presents with sudden dyspnea and pleuritic
chest pain. Pericarditis (D) pain is typically pleuritic, sharp, and relieved by leaning forward.
2. Which of the following is the most accurate method to assess for adequate ventilation in a patient with a bag-
valve mask (BVM)?
A. Observing for bilateral chest rise and fall
B. Monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation level
C. Listening for breath sounds over the epigastrium
D. Checking the reservoir bag for adequate inflation
🟢 A. Observing for bilateral chest rise and fall
🔴 Explanation: The primary and most immediate indicator of effective BVM ventilation is visible, bilateral, and
symmetrical chest rise. This confirms that air is entering the lungs and not the stomach. While oxygen saturation (B)
,is important, it is a lagging indicator. Listening to the epigastrium (C) is to detect gastric insufflation. Reservoir bag
inflation (D) indicates the device is functioning, not the effectiveness of ventilation.
3. In which of the following situations is an EMT justified in breaching a patient’s confidentiality?
A. When the patient’s family member requests information
B. When reporting a case of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
C. When a law enforcement officer requests the information for a routine investigation
D. When the patient owes a debt to the ambulance service
🟢 B. When reporting a case of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
🔴 Explanation: The duty to report suspected child abuse is a legal and ethical exception to patient confidentiality.
The EMT is mandated to report this to the appropriate authorities (e.g., child protective services or law enforcement).
Family requests (A), routine police inquiries (C), and financial disputes (D) do not legally or ethically permit a breach
of confidentiality.
4. A 68-year-old female complains of a sudden, severe headache, nausea, and blurred vision. She has a history of
hypertension. Her blood pressure is 210/130 mmHg. Which of the following medications is MOST likely to be
administered by the patient for this condition?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Albuterol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
🟢 A. Nitroglycerin
🔴 Explanation: The patient is experiencing a hypertensive emergency, evidenced by dangerously high blood
pressure and severe symptoms. Nitroglycerin is a medication that can be prescribed to lower blood pressure by
dilating blood vessels. While EMTs may assist with a patient’s own prescription, this drug is relevant here. Albuterol
(B) is for bronchospasm, Insulin (C) for hyperglycemia, and Epinephrine (D) is for severe allergic reactions.
, 5. A 3-year-old child is in cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR is being performed. The child has a palpable femoral
pulse, but no carotid pulse can be felt. Which action should the EMT take?
A. Continue CPR as the carotid pulse is more difficult to palpate in children
B. Stop CPR and re-assess the carotid pulse in 2 minutes
C. Stop CPR as the presence of a femoral pulse indicates adequate perfusion
D. Switch to performing ventilations only
🟢 A. Continue CPR as the carotid pulse is more difficult to palpate in children
🔴 Explanation: In a cardiac arrest, the absence of a central carotid pulse in a child is the standard indicator for
starting CPR. If there is a question of a carotid pulse, it is safer to continue CPR. The presence of a palpable femoral
pulse (C) is not a sufficient reason to stop CPR in a pulseless patient. Ventilations alone (D) are inadequate for a
pulseless patient.
6. Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A. Unconscious patient
B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
C. Excessive oral secretions
D. Trismus
🟢 B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
🔴 Explanation: The presence of a suspected basilar skull fracture is a contraindication for inserting an NPA due to
the risk of the device penetrating the cranial vault through a fracture in the cribriform plate. An unconscious patient
(A) is a common indication for an NPA. Excessive secretions (C) are a relative contraindication to an NPA but not as
absolute as a skull fracture. Trismus (D) is a contraindication for an oral airway, not an NPA.
7. An EMT is on the scene of a motor vehicle collision. The patient was the unrestrained driver and is now outside
the vehicle, walking around, and appears intoxicated. He is refusing care and transport. Which of the following
actions is MOST appropriate?
A. Physically restrain the patient to perform an assessment
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
Cardiovascular Emergencies and Resuscitation
*Medical Emergencies (Diabetic, Allergic, Poisoning) *
Trauma Systems and Shock Management
Obstetrics and Pediatric Emergencies
Behavioral Health and Psychiatric Crises
EMS Operations and Incident Command
Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Prehospital Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge base and critical decision-making skills
of the emergency medical technician (EMT) student following the completion of Block 2 curriculum. It moves beyond
simple recall, challenging you to apply foundational theories, clinical protocols, and ethical standards to complex, real-
world prehospital scenarios. The exam is structured as a series of multiple-choice questions that mirror the format and
cognitive demand of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Each question
emphasizes clinical reasoning, scene safety, patient advocacy, and the practical application of life-saving interventions,
preparing you not just for a test, but for the dynamic and demanding environment of emergency medical services.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. A 45-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to his back. He is
diaphoretic and reports a pulsating mass in his abdomen. His blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg and heart rate is
120 bpm. What is the most likely underlying condition?
A. Acute Myocardial Infarction
B. Pulmonary Embolism
C. Aortic Dissection
D. Pericarditis
🟢 C. Aortic Dissection
🔴 Explanation: The classic presentation of an aortic dissection is sudden, severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to
the back. The presence of a pulsatile abdominal mass and hypotension suggests a dissecting aneurysm that may
have compromised blood flow or is leaking. The symptoms of an MI (A) can be similar but typically do not involve
radiating back pain or a pulsatile mass. Pulmonary embolism (B) usually presents with sudden dyspnea and pleuritic
chest pain. Pericarditis (D) pain is typically pleuritic, sharp, and relieved by leaning forward.
2. Which of the following is the most accurate method to assess for adequate ventilation in a patient with a bag-
valve mask (BVM)?
A. Observing for bilateral chest rise and fall
B. Monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation level
C. Listening for breath sounds over the epigastrium
D. Checking the reservoir bag for adequate inflation
🟢 A. Observing for bilateral chest rise and fall
🔴 Explanation: The primary and most immediate indicator of effective BVM ventilation is visible, bilateral, and
symmetrical chest rise. This confirms that air is entering the lungs and not the stomach. While oxygen saturation (B)
,is important, it is a lagging indicator. Listening to the epigastrium (C) is to detect gastric insufflation. Reservoir bag
inflation (D) indicates the device is functioning, not the effectiveness of ventilation.
3. In which of the following situations is an EMT justified in breaching a patient’s confidentiality?
A. When the patient’s family member requests information
B. When reporting a case of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
C. When a law enforcement officer requests the information for a routine investigation
D. When the patient owes a debt to the ambulance service
🟢 B. When reporting a case of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
🔴 Explanation: The duty to report suspected child abuse is a legal and ethical exception to patient confidentiality.
The EMT is mandated to report this to the appropriate authorities (e.g., child protective services or law enforcement).
Family requests (A), routine police inquiries (C), and financial disputes (D) do not legally or ethically permit a breach
of confidentiality.
4. A 68-year-old female complains of a sudden, severe headache, nausea, and blurred vision. She has a history of
hypertension. Her blood pressure is 210/130 mmHg. Which of the following medications is MOST likely to be
administered by the patient for this condition?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Albuterol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
🟢 A. Nitroglycerin
🔴 Explanation: The patient is experiencing a hypertensive emergency, evidenced by dangerously high blood
pressure and severe symptoms. Nitroglycerin is a medication that can be prescribed to lower blood pressure by
dilating blood vessels. While EMTs may assist with a patient’s own prescription, this drug is relevant here. Albuterol
(B) is for bronchospasm, Insulin (C) for hyperglycemia, and Epinephrine (D) is for severe allergic reactions.
, 5. A 3-year-old child is in cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR is being performed. The child has a palpable femoral
pulse, but no carotid pulse can be felt. Which action should the EMT take?
A. Continue CPR as the carotid pulse is more difficult to palpate in children
B. Stop CPR and re-assess the carotid pulse in 2 minutes
C. Stop CPR as the presence of a femoral pulse indicates adequate perfusion
D. Switch to performing ventilations only
🟢 A. Continue CPR as the carotid pulse is more difficult to palpate in children
🔴 Explanation: In a cardiac arrest, the absence of a central carotid pulse in a child is the standard indicator for
starting CPR. If there is a question of a carotid pulse, it is safer to continue CPR. The presence of a palpable femoral
pulse (C) is not a sufficient reason to stop CPR in a pulseless patient. Ventilations alone (D) are inadequate for a
pulseless patient.
6. Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A. Unconscious patient
B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
C. Excessive oral secretions
D. Trismus
🟢 B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
🔴 Explanation: The presence of a suspected basilar skull fracture is a contraindication for inserting an NPA due to
the risk of the device penetrating the cranial vault through a fracture in the cribriform plate. An unconscious patient
(A) is a common indication for an NPA. Excessive secretions (C) are a relative contraindication to an NPA but not as
absolute as a skull fracture. Trismus (D) is a contraindication for an oral airway, not an NPA.
7. An EMT is on the scene of a motor vehicle collision. The patient was the unrestrained driver and is now outside
the vehicle, walking around, and appears intoxicated. He is refusing care and transport. Which of the following
actions is MOST appropriate?
A. Physically restrain the patient to perform an assessment
