Comprehensive EMT Medical Assessment
Questions and Answers
A 14 y/o male is hot, dry, and complaining of nausea and vomiting after mowing
the lawn. What should you suspect?
A) hypothermia
B) heat exhaustion
C) heat stroke
D) hyperemesis - ANS-C) heat stroke
What occurs during compression of the inferior vena cava?
A) pre-eclampsia
B) supine hypotensive syndrome
C) pregnancy-induced hypertension
D) eclampsia - ANS-B) supine hypotensive syndrome
An unresponsive 32 y/o female was pulled from a frozen lake after 3 minutes of
submersion. Vitals are BP 90/70, HR 24 bpm, RR 8 breaths/min. Why is it important
to handle her gently when transporting?
A) any lung damage due to submersion is greatly reduced
B) she could go into shock
C) it prevents her from losing any limbs
D) she could convert into V-fib or V-tach - ANS-D) she could convert into V-fib or V-
tach
A 56 y/o male complains of chest pain after shoveling the driveway. He states that
his pain was a 9/10, but it is now a 5/10 after rest and taking 2 of his NTG. BP is
100/66, HR is 87 bpm, RR is 16 breaths/min. What should you do?
A) apply high-flow oxygen
B) apply pulse oximetry
C) obtain a second set of vitals
D) administer aspirin - ANS-D) administer aspirin
A 71 y/o female is short of breath and has lower leg pain. She took 2 doses of her
prescribed NTG and 324 mg ASA ten minutes ago. BP is 160/90, HR is 88 bpm, RR
is 24 breaths/min, and SpO2 is 88%. What should you do?
A) administer a third dose of NTG
B) apply oxygen via NRB
C) administer an additional dose of ASA
D) obtain a second set of vitals - ANS-B) apply oxygen via NRB
A 66 y/o female has shortness of breath and diffuse back pain. Auscultation of
lungs reveals crackles in the bases. BP is 170/110 and HR is 112 bpm. What should
you administer?
A) adenosine
B) furosemide
,C) albuterol
D) nitroglycerin - ANS-D) nitroglycerin
An unresponsive 2 day old female is in respiratory distress. Her skin is cyanotic,
pulse is 184 bpm, and RR is 72 breaths/min. What should you do?
A) assist her ventilations
B) administer albuterol
C) apply blow-by oxygen
D) assess for a blood pressure - ANS-A) assist her ventilations
A 22 y/o male complains of SOB with diminished lung sounds on the right side. BP
is 130/90, HR is 86 bpm, and RR is 24 breaths/min. What should you suspect?
A) asthma attack
B) pneumothorax
C) tension PTX
D) COPD exacerbation - ANS-B) pneumothorax
A 66 y/o female had a syncopal episode while attempting to stand up. She
describes a history of COPD, CHF, and gout. BP is 96/40, HR is 56 bpm, and RR is
18 breaths/min. What should you suspect?
A) rapid increase of insulin in the blood
B) increase in O2 levels
C) decrease in cerebral blood flow
D) hypoglycemic event - ANS-C) decrease in cerebral blood flow
What is the best protection from contracting a communicable disease from a
patient?
A) frequent hand washing
B) changing clothes after run
C) wearing goggles during run
D) putting on a mask - ANS-A) frequent hand washing
An anxious 55 y/o male is severely short of breath and is coughing up pink frothy
sputum. He is sitting upright and tells you that his "feet are more swollen than
normal". BP is 202/112, HR is 110 bpm, RR is 36 breaths/min with crackles. What
should you do?
A) obtain a detailed medical history
B) position him supine and apply high-flow oxygen
C) administer aspirin
D) assist his ventilations with a BVM - ANS-D) assist his ventilations with a BVM
A 34 y/o male complains that people are "out to hurt me". He thinks you are
attempting to kill him with poison gas while applying an NRB. What should you do?
A) position the mask for blow-by oxygen
B) forcefully restrain him, then apply the mask
C) switch to a nasal cannula
D) explain the benefits of oxygen - ANS-D) explain the benefits of oxygen
,What condition is caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, resulting in a sudden
onset of severe scrotal pain?
A) epididymitis
B) urinary calculi
C) priapism
D) testicular torsion - ANS-D) testicular torsion
How should you treat asystole in a patient?
A) shock with an AED
B) provide positive pressure ventilation
C) provide chest compressions
D) administer high-flow oxygen - ANS-C) provide chest compressions
A 45 y/o female had ROSC after 10 minutes in cardiac arrest. She is unresponsive.
BP is 96/40, HR is 88 bpm, RR is 18 breaths/min, and SpO2 is 74%. What should
you do?
A) assist ventilations with a BVM
B) continue to use the AED to analyze her pulse
C) position her in the recovery position and apply high-flow oxygen
D) provide low-flow oxygen by NRB - ANS-C) position her in the recovery position
and apply high-flow oxygen
A 16 y/o boy tells you that he "caught" his 40 y/o mother "holding a handful of
sleeping pills". The son explains that she is depressed, and he is convinced that she
meant to kill herself. She is extremely agitated and is refusing treatment. What
should you do?
A) carefully document the woman's refusal and have her sign the form
B) request law enforcement assistance to transport the patient
C) contact social services to recommend they follow up on the family
D) encourage the patient to see a mental health professional that day - ANS-B)
request law enforcement assistance to transport the patient
Patients who are a danger to themselves or others can usually be transported
against their will with direction from law enforcement. Check your area's laws and
local protocols for proper procedures.
A 76 y/o female complains of chest pain on the right side directly above her 4th
intercostal space. She states that she had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago,
and that she is recovering well. What should you suspect?
A) PE
B) ACS
C) PTX
D) MI - ANS-A) PE
A 22 y/o intoxicated male responds to voice by moaning. You note vomit in his
airway. What should you do?
A) insert a nasal airway
B) suction the mouth
, C) manually stabilize C-spine
D) turn the patient on his side - ANS-B) suction the mouth
What is the movement of drugs in the body as they are absorbed, distributed,
metabolized, and excreted called?
A) pharmacodynamics
B) pharmacokinetics
C) biotransformation
D) mechanism of action - ANS-B) pharmacokinetics
A 32 y/o female attempted suicide by taking sleeping pills and cutting her wrists.
She has dark red blood oozing from the wrist lacerations. BP is 90/52, HR is 130
bpm and weak, and RR is 18 breaths/min. What type of bleeding and shock is she
experiencing?
A) venous bleeding with hypovolemic shock
B) arterial bleeding with hypovolemic shock
C) capillary bleeding with cardiogenic shock
D) venous bleeding with neurogenic shock - ANS-A) venous bleeding with
hypovolemic shock
What is a sign of an upper GI bleed?
A) dark black emesis
B) dry warm skin
C) high blood pressure and dizziness
D) pain in the right shoulder - ANS-A) dark black emesis
A 40 y/o male was stung by a bee. His skin is pink and dry, his lungs are clear, and
he has equal chest rise. BP is 122/82, HR is 78 bpm, RR is 18 breaths/min, and
SpO2 is 98%. What should you do?
A) administer high-flow O2 by NRB
B) assist with administration of his EpiPen
C) contact poison control
D) perform a secondary assessment - ANS-D) perform a secondary assessment
A 2 y/o male is conscious after ingesting a small quantity of bleach. What should
you suspect?
A) hot, dry skin and diarrhea
B) chemical burns around the mouth
C) dilated pupils and labored breathing
D) bright red skin on the child's extremities - ANS-B) chemical burns around the
mouth
A 25 y/o female was stung by a bee. She complains of SOB and hives, and she has
audible wheezes. What should you do?
A) assist in use of her MDI
B) obtain an SpO2 reading
C) have family members confirm her allergy
D) remove the stinger using a credit card - ANS-D) remove the stinger using a
Questions and Answers
A 14 y/o male is hot, dry, and complaining of nausea and vomiting after mowing
the lawn. What should you suspect?
A) hypothermia
B) heat exhaustion
C) heat stroke
D) hyperemesis - ANS-C) heat stroke
What occurs during compression of the inferior vena cava?
A) pre-eclampsia
B) supine hypotensive syndrome
C) pregnancy-induced hypertension
D) eclampsia - ANS-B) supine hypotensive syndrome
An unresponsive 32 y/o female was pulled from a frozen lake after 3 minutes of
submersion. Vitals are BP 90/70, HR 24 bpm, RR 8 breaths/min. Why is it important
to handle her gently when transporting?
A) any lung damage due to submersion is greatly reduced
B) she could go into shock
C) it prevents her from losing any limbs
D) she could convert into V-fib or V-tach - ANS-D) she could convert into V-fib or V-
tach
A 56 y/o male complains of chest pain after shoveling the driveway. He states that
his pain was a 9/10, but it is now a 5/10 after rest and taking 2 of his NTG. BP is
100/66, HR is 87 bpm, RR is 16 breaths/min. What should you do?
A) apply high-flow oxygen
B) apply pulse oximetry
C) obtain a second set of vitals
D) administer aspirin - ANS-D) administer aspirin
A 71 y/o female is short of breath and has lower leg pain. She took 2 doses of her
prescribed NTG and 324 mg ASA ten minutes ago. BP is 160/90, HR is 88 bpm, RR
is 24 breaths/min, and SpO2 is 88%. What should you do?
A) administer a third dose of NTG
B) apply oxygen via NRB
C) administer an additional dose of ASA
D) obtain a second set of vitals - ANS-B) apply oxygen via NRB
A 66 y/o female has shortness of breath and diffuse back pain. Auscultation of
lungs reveals crackles in the bases. BP is 170/110 and HR is 112 bpm. What should
you administer?
A) adenosine
B) furosemide
,C) albuterol
D) nitroglycerin - ANS-D) nitroglycerin
An unresponsive 2 day old female is in respiratory distress. Her skin is cyanotic,
pulse is 184 bpm, and RR is 72 breaths/min. What should you do?
A) assist her ventilations
B) administer albuterol
C) apply blow-by oxygen
D) assess for a blood pressure - ANS-A) assist her ventilations
A 22 y/o male complains of SOB with diminished lung sounds on the right side. BP
is 130/90, HR is 86 bpm, and RR is 24 breaths/min. What should you suspect?
A) asthma attack
B) pneumothorax
C) tension PTX
D) COPD exacerbation - ANS-B) pneumothorax
A 66 y/o female had a syncopal episode while attempting to stand up. She
describes a history of COPD, CHF, and gout. BP is 96/40, HR is 56 bpm, and RR is
18 breaths/min. What should you suspect?
A) rapid increase of insulin in the blood
B) increase in O2 levels
C) decrease in cerebral blood flow
D) hypoglycemic event - ANS-C) decrease in cerebral blood flow
What is the best protection from contracting a communicable disease from a
patient?
A) frequent hand washing
B) changing clothes after run
C) wearing goggles during run
D) putting on a mask - ANS-A) frequent hand washing
An anxious 55 y/o male is severely short of breath and is coughing up pink frothy
sputum. He is sitting upright and tells you that his "feet are more swollen than
normal". BP is 202/112, HR is 110 bpm, RR is 36 breaths/min with crackles. What
should you do?
A) obtain a detailed medical history
B) position him supine and apply high-flow oxygen
C) administer aspirin
D) assist his ventilations with a BVM - ANS-D) assist his ventilations with a BVM
A 34 y/o male complains that people are "out to hurt me". He thinks you are
attempting to kill him with poison gas while applying an NRB. What should you do?
A) position the mask for blow-by oxygen
B) forcefully restrain him, then apply the mask
C) switch to a nasal cannula
D) explain the benefits of oxygen - ANS-D) explain the benefits of oxygen
,What condition is caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, resulting in a sudden
onset of severe scrotal pain?
A) epididymitis
B) urinary calculi
C) priapism
D) testicular torsion - ANS-D) testicular torsion
How should you treat asystole in a patient?
A) shock with an AED
B) provide positive pressure ventilation
C) provide chest compressions
D) administer high-flow oxygen - ANS-C) provide chest compressions
A 45 y/o female had ROSC after 10 minutes in cardiac arrest. She is unresponsive.
BP is 96/40, HR is 88 bpm, RR is 18 breaths/min, and SpO2 is 74%. What should
you do?
A) assist ventilations with a BVM
B) continue to use the AED to analyze her pulse
C) position her in the recovery position and apply high-flow oxygen
D) provide low-flow oxygen by NRB - ANS-C) position her in the recovery position
and apply high-flow oxygen
A 16 y/o boy tells you that he "caught" his 40 y/o mother "holding a handful of
sleeping pills". The son explains that she is depressed, and he is convinced that she
meant to kill herself. She is extremely agitated and is refusing treatment. What
should you do?
A) carefully document the woman's refusal and have her sign the form
B) request law enforcement assistance to transport the patient
C) contact social services to recommend they follow up on the family
D) encourage the patient to see a mental health professional that day - ANS-B)
request law enforcement assistance to transport the patient
Patients who are a danger to themselves or others can usually be transported
against their will with direction from law enforcement. Check your area's laws and
local protocols for proper procedures.
A 76 y/o female complains of chest pain on the right side directly above her 4th
intercostal space. She states that she had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago,
and that she is recovering well. What should you suspect?
A) PE
B) ACS
C) PTX
D) MI - ANS-A) PE
A 22 y/o intoxicated male responds to voice by moaning. You note vomit in his
airway. What should you do?
A) insert a nasal airway
B) suction the mouth
, C) manually stabilize C-spine
D) turn the patient on his side - ANS-B) suction the mouth
What is the movement of drugs in the body as they are absorbed, distributed,
metabolized, and excreted called?
A) pharmacodynamics
B) pharmacokinetics
C) biotransformation
D) mechanism of action - ANS-B) pharmacokinetics
A 32 y/o female attempted suicide by taking sleeping pills and cutting her wrists.
She has dark red blood oozing from the wrist lacerations. BP is 90/52, HR is 130
bpm and weak, and RR is 18 breaths/min. What type of bleeding and shock is she
experiencing?
A) venous bleeding with hypovolemic shock
B) arterial bleeding with hypovolemic shock
C) capillary bleeding with cardiogenic shock
D) venous bleeding with neurogenic shock - ANS-A) venous bleeding with
hypovolemic shock
What is a sign of an upper GI bleed?
A) dark black emesis
B) dry warm skin
C) high blood pressure and dizziness
D) pain in the right shoulder - ANS-A) dark black emesis
A 40 y/o male was stung by a bee. His skin is pink and dry, his lungs are clear, and
he has equal chest rise. BP is 122/82, HR is 78 bpm, RR is 18 breaths/min, and
SpO2 is 98%. What should you do?
A) administer high-flow O2 by NRB
B) assist with administration of his EpiPen
C) contact poison control
D) perform a secondary assessment - ANS-D) perform a secondary assessment
A 2 y/o male is conscious after ingesting a small quantity of bleach. What should
you suspect?
A) hot, dry skin and diarrhea
B) chemical burns around the mouth
C) dilated pupils and labored breathing
D) bright red skin on the child's extremities - ANS-B) chemical burns around the
mouth
A 25 y/o female was stung by a bee. She complains of SOB and hives, and she has
audible wheezes. What should you do?
A) assist in use of her MDI
B) obtain an SpO2 reading
C) have family members confirm her allergy
D) remove the stinger using a credit card - ANS-D) remove the stinger using a
