Chelan County EMS Protocols Exam With
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. On arrival at an EMS scene, what should the provider do first?
A. Begin obtaining a detailed medical history
B. Determine scene safety
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Apply a cardiac monitor
Correct Answer: B. Determine scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority. Providers must identify
hazards and ensure the environment is safe before entering and
beginning patient care.
,2. Which approach is most appropriate when initially assessing a
critically ill patient?
A. Obtain a complete SAMPLE history first
B. Perform a focused secondary examination
C. Perform an immediate primary assessment
D. Obtain a complete medication history
Correct Answer: C. Perform an immediate primary assessment
Rationale: The primary assessment rapidly identifies life threats
involving airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and other immediate
priorities.
3. A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. What is
the priority?
A. Obtain a temperature
B. Begin resuscitation according to cardiac-arrest procedures
C. Obtain a complete history
,D. Transport without treatment
Correct Answer: B. Begin resuscitation according to cardiac-arrest procedures
Rationale: An unresponsive patient without normal breathing requires
immediate recognition and management of cardiac arrest.
4. What is the primary purpose of an initial scene size-up?
A. Determine the patient's insurance status
B. Identify hazards, mechanism, number of patients, and resources
needed
C. Determine the patient's final diagnosis
D. Complete the patient care report
Correct Answer: B. Identify hazards, mechanism, number of patients, and
resources needed
Rationale: Size-up establishes scene safety and identifies the
mechanism, number of patients, hazards, and additional resources
required.
, 5. Which finding most strongly indicates an airway emergency?
A. Mild nausea
B. Clear speech
C. Complete airway obstruction
D. Mild headache
Correct Answer: C. Complete airway obstruction
Rationale: A complete airway obstruction can rapidly cause hypoxia,
respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest and requires immediate
intervention.
6. A conscious adult has a severe airway obstruction and cannot speak
or cough effectively. What is indicated?
A. Give water
B. Encourage the patient to lie down
C. Perform appropriate airway-obstruction maneuvers
D. Wait for spontaneous resolution
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. On arrival at an EMS scene, what should the provider do first?
A. Begin obtaining a detailed medical history
B. Determine scene safety
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Apply a cardiac monitor
Correct Answer: B. Determine scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is the first priority. Providers must identify
hazards and ensure the environment is safe before entering and
beginning patient care.
,2. Which approach is most appropriate when initially assessing a
critically ill patient?
A. Obtain a complete SAMPLE history first
B. Perform a focused secondary examination
C. Perform an immediate primary assessment
D. Obtain a complete medication history
Correct Answer: C. Perform an immediate primary assessment
Rationale: The primary assessment rapidly identifies life threats
involving airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and other immediate
priorities.
3. A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. What is
the priority?
A. Obtain a temperature
B. Begin resuscitation according to cardiac-arrest procedures
C. Obtain a complete history
,D. Transport without treatment
Correct Answer: B. Begin resuscitation according to cardiac-arrest procedures
Rationale: An unresponsive patient without normal breathing requires
immediate recognition and management of cardiac arrest.
4. What is the primary purpose of an initial scene size-up?
A. Determine the patient's insurance status
B. Identify hazards, mechanism, number of patients, and resources
needed
C. Determine the patient's final diagnosis
D. Complete the patient care report
Correct Answer: B. Identify hazards, mechanism, number of patients, and
resources needed
Rationale: Size-up establishes scene safety and identifies the
mechanism, number of patients, hazards, and additional resources
required.
, 5. Which finding most strongly indicates an airway emergency?
A. Mild nausea
B. Clear speech
C. Complete airway obstruction
D. Mild headache
Correct Answer: C. Complete airway obstruction
Rationale: A complete airway obstruction can rapidly cause hypoxia,
respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest and requires immediate
intervention.
6. A conscious adult has a severe airway obstruction and cannot speak
or cough effectively. What is indicated?
A. Give water
B. Encourage the patient to lie down
C. Perform appropriate airway-obstruction maneuvers
D. Wait for spontaneous resolution
