Page 1 of 67
NREMT EXAM PREP – VOLUME 2 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NREMT
Prepare effectively for the NREMT Exam with this focused exam prep resource. It
supports review of essential EMT concepts, patient assessment, airway and
respiratory care, trauma management, medical emergencies, pharmacology, and
emergency response procedures. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge,
review high-yield topics, and identify areas that may require additional study. This
resource is suited for EMT students, emergency medical technician trainees, and
candidates preparing for the NREMT certification examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Airway, Breathing, & Ventilation (Questions 1-20)
1. A 60-year-old male is found unresponsive with gurgling respirations.
What is your immediate priority?
• A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
• B. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
• C. Suction the oropharynx
• D. Start chest compressions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gurgling respirations indicate the presence of fluids (blood,
vomit, or secretions) in the upper airway. The immediate priority is to
clear the airway with suctioning. Airway adjuncts or oxygen will be
ineffective if the airway is obstructed by fluid.
2. Which of the following capnography waveforms indicates adequate
ventilation in a patient with a confirmed advanced airway?
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• A. A flat waveform at 0 mmHg
• B. A square waveform with ETCO₂ of 35–45 mmHg
• C. A sawtooth waveform with ETCO₂ of 20 mmHg
• D. A shark-fin waveform with ETCO₂ of 50 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal, square-wave capnography waveform with an ETCO₂
value between 35–45 mmHg indicates adequate ventilation and perfusion.
A flat waveform suggests apnea or dislodged tube. A "shark-fin" waveform
suggests bronchospasm (asthma/COPD).
3. A 6-year-old child is in severe respiratory distress with stridor and a
fever of 103°F. He is drooling and refuses to lie down. Which intervention
is MOST appropriate?
• A. Attempt an oral airway insertion
• B. Administer a nebulized albuterol treatment
• C. Allow the child to remain in a sitting position and transport
• D. Perform a finger sweep to check for a foreign body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This presentation is classic for epiglottitis. The child should be
kept calm and allowed to maintain a position of comfort (sitting up,
leaning forward). Do not attempt to visualize the airway, insert an airway
adjunct, or agitate the child, as this can cause complete airway closure.
4. What is the primary advantage of using a supraglottic airway (e.g., King
LT or iGel) over a bag-valve-mask?
• A. It provides a definitive, cuffed airway below the vocal cords
• B. It requires less skill to achieve adequate ventilation and can be
placed blindly
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• C. It allows for suctioning of the trachea
• D. It delivers higher concentrations of oxygen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Supraglottic airways are easier to insert than endotracheal
tubes and provide more reliable ventilation than a BVM, which often
leaks. They do not enter the trachea (so they are not definitive), do not
allow for deep tracheal suctioning, and oxygen concentration is
independent of the device.
5. A patient with a stoma breathes spontaneously but is in respiratory
distress. You apply a BVM. What type of mask must you use?
• A. Adult-sized mask
• B. Pediatric-sized mask
• C. Non-rebreather mask
• D. Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pediatric-sized mask fits better over a stoma than an adult
mask. Place the mask directly over the stoma and ventilate. Ensure a
good seal to prevent air leaks.
6. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate artificial ventilation?
• A. Gastric distension
• B. Absent or decreased breath sounds
• C. Cyanosis
• D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Inadequate ventilation can present with absent/decreased
breath sounds (air not moving), cyanosis (hypoxia), and gastric distension
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(air going into the stomach instead of the lungs, often from excessive
pressure or improper head position).
7. What is the proper suction catheter size for an adult?
• A. 6 French
• B. 10 French
• C. 14 French
• D. 18 French
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 14 French (or 14–16 Fr) suction catheter is appropriate for an
adult. The catheter should be no larger than half the internal diameter of
the endotracheal tube if applicable.
8. A patient is receiving CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). What
is the primary physiologic effect?
• A. It pushes oxygen into the bloodstream at high pressure
• B. It opens collapsed alveoli and increases functional residual capacity
• C. It forces carbon dioxide out of the lungs
• D. It decreases heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CPAP provides positive pressure throughout the respiratory
cycle, which stents open the alveoli, prevents collapse, and improves
oxygenation. It is commonly used for pulmonary edema and COPD
exacerbations.
9. A patient has a suspected spinal injury and is in a cervical collar. To
open the airway, you should use:
NREMT EXAM PREP – VOLUME 2 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NREMT
Prepare effectively for the NREMT Exam with this focused exam prep resource. It
supports review of essential EMT concepts, patient assessment, airway and
respiratory care, trauma management, medical emergencies, pharmacology, and
emergency response procedures. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge,
review high-yield topics, and identify areas that may require additional study. This
resource is suited for EMT students, emergency medical technician trainees, and
candidates preparing for the NREMT certification examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Airway, Breathing, & Ventilation (Questions 1-20)
1. A 60-year-old male is found unresponsive with gurgling respirations.
What is your immediate priority?
• A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
• B. Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
• C. Suction the oropharynx
• D. Start chest compressions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gurgling respirations indicate the presence of fluids (blood,
vomit, or secretions) in the upper airway. The immediate priority is to
clear the airway with suctioning. Airway adjuncts or oxygen will be
ineffective if the airway is obstructed by fluid.
2. Which of the following capnography waveforms indicates adequate
ventilation in a patient with a confirmed advanced airway?
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• A. A flat waveform at 0 mmHg
• B. A square waveform with ETCO₂ of 35–45 mmHg
• C. A sawtooth waveform with ETCO₂ of 20 mmHg
• D. A shark-fin waveform with ETCO₂ of 50 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal, square-wave capnography waveform with an ETCO₂
value between 35–45 mmHg indicates adequate ventilation and perfusion.
A flat waveform suggests apnea or dislodged tube. A "shark-fin" waveform
suggests bronchospasm (asthma/COPD).
3. A 6-year-old child is in severe respiratory distress with stridor and a
fever of 103°F. He is drooling and refuses to lie down. Which intervention
is MOST appropriate?
• A. Attempt an oral airway insertion
• B. Administer a nebulized albuterol treatment
• C. Allow the child to remain in a sitting position and transport
• D. Perform a finger sweep to check for a foreign body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This presentation is classic for epiglottitis. The child should be
kept calm and allowed to maintain a position of comfort (sitting up,
leaning forward). Do not attempt to visualize the airway, insert an airway
adjunct, or agitate the child, as this can cause complete airway closure.
4. What is the primary advantage of using a supraglottic airway (e.g., King
LT or iGel) over a bag-valve-mask?
• A. It provides a definitive, cuffed airway below the vocal cords
• B. It requires less skill to achieve adequate ventilation and can be
placed blindly
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• C. It allows for suctioning of the trachea
• D. It delivers higher concentrations of oxygen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Supraglottic airways are easier to insert than endotracheal
tubes and provide more reliable ventilation than a BVM, which often
leaks. They do not enter the trachea (so they are not definitive), do not
allow for deep tracheal suctioning, and oxygen concentration is
independent of the device.
5. A patient with a stoma breathes spontaneously but is in respiratory
distress. You apply a BVM. What type of mask must you use?
• A. Adult-sized mask
• B. Pediatric-sized mask
• C. Non-rebreather mask
• D. Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pediatric-sized mask fits better over a stoma than an adult
mask. Place the mask directly over the stoma and ventilate. Ensure a
good seal to prevent air leaks.
6. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate artificial ventilation?
• A. Gastric distension
• B. Absent or decreased breath sounds
• C. Cyanosis
• D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Inadequate ventilation can present with absent/decreased
breath sounds (air not moving), cyanosis (hypoxia), and gastric distension
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(air going into the stomach instead of the lungs, often from excessive
pressure or improper head position).
7. What is the proper suction catheter size for an adult?
• A. 6 French
• B. 10 French
• C. 14 French
• D. 18 French
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 14 French (or 14–16 Fr) suction catheter is appropriate for an
adult. The catheter should be no larger than half the internal diameter of
the endotracheal tube if applicable.
8. A patient is receiving CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). What
is the primary physiologic effect?
• A. It pushes oxygen into the bloodstream at high pressure
• B. It opens collapsed alveoli and increases functional residual capacity
• C. It forces carbon dioxide out of the lungs
• D. It decreases heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CPAP provides positive pressure throughout the respiratory
cycle, which stents open the alveoli, prevents collapse, and improves
oxygenation. It is commonly used for pulmonary edema and COPD
exacerbations.
9. A patient has a suspected spinal injury and is in a cervical collar. To
open the airway, you should use:
