EMT TRAUMA EXAM FISDAP EXAM LATEST
UPDATED VERSION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the most preventable cause of trauma death for
adults?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Hemorrhagic shock
C) Airway obstruction
D) Neurogenic shock
Correct Answer: B) Hemorrhagic shock
Rationale: Hemorrhagic shock from uncontrolled bleeding is the leading
preventable cause of death in trauma patients. Rapid recognition, direct pressure,
tourniquet application, and prompt transport are critical to improving survival.
2. To properly immobilize a forearm fracture, the EMT should splint which of the
following?
A) Wrist, elbow, and fracture site
B) Fracture site only
C) Wrist and elbow
D) Elbow and shoulder
Correct Answer: A) Wrist, elbow, and fracture site
,Rationale: Proper splinting of a long bone fracture requires immobilizing the joint
above and the joint below the injury, in addition to the fracture site itself, to
prevent movement and further damage.
3. While performing a rapid trauma assessment you discover crepitation.
Crepitation is defined as:
A) The sound of a bone breaking
B) When a bone is seen sticking out of the patient's skin
C) A type of long bone fracture
D) The sound when two bones rub together
Correct Answer: D) The sound when two bones rub together
Rationale: Crepitation is a grating or crackling sound or sensation felt when the
broken ends of a bone rub together. It is a key clinical sign of a fracture.
4. Which mechanism of injury suggests the greatest possibility of spinal injury?
A) Penetration injury to the upper torso
B) Restrained patient in a motor vehicle collision
C) Dislocated arm while playing basketball
D) Gunshot wound to the lower thigh
Correct Answer: B) Restrained patient in a motor vehicle collision
Rationale: Even restrained patients in motor vehicle collisions are subjected to
significant deceleration forces that can cause spinal injuries. A high index of
suspicion is required for all significant MOIs.
5. The primary treatment for an evisceration should include:
A) Apply a dry bulky dressing only
,B) Applying a wet dressing first, followed by a bulky dressing
C) Do not touch the evisceration, rapid transport only
D) Attempt to replace exposed organs and then cover with a bulky dressing
Correct Answer: B) Applying a wet dressing first, followed by a bulky dressing
Rationale: An evisceration (protrusion of abdominal organs) should never be
reinserted. The standard of care is to cover the exposed organs with a sterile,
moist (saline) dressing and then secure it with a dry, bulky dressing to keep it
warm and prevent drying.
6. When is the detailed physical exam usually performed?
A) Immediately after the rapid trauma assessment
B) On the scene after performing the initial assessment
C) Upon arrival to the hospital's emergency department
D) In the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital
Correct Answer: D) In the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital
Rationale: The detailed physical exam (secondary survey) is a head-to-toe
assessment performed during transport to identify any injuries that may have
been missed during the rapid trauma assessment.
7. It is appropriate to perform a head-tilt/chin-lift in a trauma patient only if:
A) Your partner is able to stabilize the spine
B) There is no other way to open the airway
C) This procedure should never be performed on a trauma patient
D) An advanced airway is not available
Correct Answer: B) There is no other way to open the airway
, Rationale: In trauma patients, the jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred method
to open the airway while maintaining spinal immobilization. The head-tilt/chin-lift
is only used if the jaw-thrust is ineffective and the airway cannot be opened
otherwise.
8. With regards to pedestrian versus motor vehicle collisions, which of the
following is typically true?
A) Adults tend to turn away from the impact and go down and under
B) Adults tend to turn toward the impact and go up and over
C) Children tend to turn away from the impact
D) Children tend to turn toward the impact and go down and under
Correct Answer: D) Children tend to turn toward the impact and go down and
under
Rationale: In pedestrian vs. vehicle impacts, children are shorter and often turn
toward the vehicle, leading to them being struck and going down and under the
vehicle. Adults typically turn away and are thrown up and over the hood.
9. After immobilizing your suspected spinal cord injury patient to a backboard, the
patient vomits. You should next:
A) Tilt the board and suction
B) Keep the patient secured to the board and suction the airway
C) Remove the patient from the board and log roll them
D) Immediately perform a head-tilt/chin-lift
Correct Answer: A) Tilt the board and suction
Rationale: If a patient vomits while secured to a long backboard, the entire board
should be tilted to one side to allow drainage and prevent aspiration, while
suctioning the airway.
UPDATED VERSION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the most preventable cause of trauma death for
adults?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Hemorrhagic shock
C) Airway obstruction
D) Neurogenic shock
Correct Answer: B) Hemorrhagic shock
Rationale: Hemorrhagic shock from uncontrolled bleeding is the leading
preventable cause of death in trauma patients. Rapid recognition, direct pressure,
tourniquet application, and prompt transport are critical to improving survival.
2. To properly immobilize a forearm fracture, the EMT should splint which of the
following?
A) Wrist, elbow, and fracture site
B) Fracture site only
C) Wrist and elbow
D) Elbow and shoulder
Correct Answer: A) Wrist, elbow, and fracture site
,Rationale: Proper splinting of a long bone fracture requires immobilizing the joint
above and the joint below the injury, in addition to the fracture site itself, to
prevent movement and further damage.
3. While performing a rapid trauma assessment you discover crepitation.
Crepitation is defined as:
A) The sound of a bone breaking
B) When a bone is seen sticking out of the patient's skin
C) A type of long bone fracture
D) The sound when two bones rub together
Correct Answer: D) The sound when two bones rub together
Rationale: Crepitation is a grating or crackling sound or sensation felt when the
broken ends of a bone rub together. It is a key clinical sign of a fracture.
4. Which mechanism of injury suggests the greatest possibility of spinal injury?
A) Penetration injury to the upper torso
B) Restrained patient in a motor vehicle collision
C) Dislocated arm while playing basketball
D) Gunshot wound to the lower thigh
Correct Answer: B) Restrained patient in a motor vehicle collision
Rationale: Even restrained patients in motor vehicle collisions are subjected to
significant deceleration forces that can cause spinal injuries. A high index of
suspicion is required for all significant MOIs.
5. The primary treatment for an evisceration should include:
A) Apply a dry bulky dressing only
,B) Applying a wet dressing first, followed by a bulky dressing
C) Do not touch the evisceration, rapid transport only
D) Attempt to replace exposed organs and then cover with a bulky dressing
Correct Answer: B) Applying a wet dressing first, followed by a bulky dressing
Rationale: An evisceration (protrusion of abdominal organs) should never be
reinserted. The standard of care is to cover the exposed organs with a sterile,
moist (saline) dressing and then secure it with a dry, bulky dressing to keep it
warm and prevent drying.
6. When is the detailed physical exam usually performed?
A) Immediately after the rapid trauma assessment
B) On the scene after performing the initial assessment
C) Upon arrival to the hospital's emergency department
D) In the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital
Correct Answer: D) In the back of the ambulance on the way to the hospital
Rationale: The detailed physical exam (secondary survey) is a head-to-toe
assessment performed during transport to identify any injuries that may have
been missed during the rapid trauma assessment.
7. It is appropriate to perform a head-tilt/chin-lift in a trauma patient only if:
A) Your partner is able to stabilize the spine
B) There is no other way to open the airway
C) This procedure should never be performed on a trauma patient
D) An advanced airway is not available
Correct Answer: B) There is no other way to open the airway
, Rationale: In trauma patients, the jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred method
to open the airway while maintaining spinal immobilization. The head-tilt/chin-lift
is only used if the jaw-thrust is ineffective and the airway cannot be opened
otherwise.
8. With regards to pedestrian versus motor vehicle collisions, which of the
following is typically true?
A) Adults tend to turn away from the impact and go down and under
B) Adults tend to turn toward the impact and go up and over
C) Children tend to turn away from the impact
D) Children tend to turn toward the impact and go down and under
Correct Answer: D) Children tend to turn toward the impact and go down and
under
Rationale: In pedestrian vs. vehicle impacts, children are shorter and often turn
toward the vehicle, leading to them being struck and going down and under the
vehicle. Adults typically turn away and are thrown up and over the hood.
9. After immobilizing your suspected spinal cord injury patient to a backboard, the
patient vomits. You should next:
A) Tilt the board and suction
B) Keep the patient secured to the board and suction the airway
C) Remove the patient from the board and log roll them
D) Immediately perform a head-tilt/chin-lift
Correct Answer: A) Tilt the board and suction
Rationale: If a patient vomits while secured to a long backboard, the entire board
should be tilted to one side to allow drainage and prevent aspiration, while
suctioning the airway.
