AEMT 2026 Clinical Judgment Exam
Prep: Practice Questions with Answer
Rationales — Airway, Trauma,
Cardiology, Medical, Obstetrics &
Clinical Operations Study Guide
SECTION 1: AIRWAY MANAGEMENT (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
An AEMT is suctioning a patient's airway. What is the maximum duration for a
single suction attempt in an adult?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction should be limited to 10 seconds or less per attempt to prevent
hypoxia and bradycardia. The patient should be hyperoxygenated before and after
suctioning. Longer attempts (C, D) increase the risk of hypoxia.
Question 2
An AEMT is selecting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) for an unresponsive adult.
How is the correct size determined?
A. Corner of the mouth to the earlobe
B. Corner of the mouth to the chin
C. Tip of the nose to the earlobe
D. Center of the mouth to the thyroid cartilage
Answer: A
,Rationale: The correct size for an OPA is measured from the corner of the mouth
to the earlobe (or angle of the jaw). An incorrectly sized OPA can obstruct the
airway or cause injury. The other measurements are incorrect.
Question 3
Which of the following is a contraindication to nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
insertion?
A. Unconscious patient
B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
C. Intact gag reflex
D. Cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Rationale: A suspected basilar skull fracture is a contraindication to NPA insertion
due to the risk of intracranial placement. An NPA can be used in unconscious
patients (A) and those with an intact gag reflex (C). Cardiac arrest (D) is not a
contraindication.
Question 4
An AEMT is preparing to insert a supraglottic airway (SGA). Which of the
following is a contraindication?
A. Patient is in cardiac arrest
B. Patient has an intact gag reflex
C. Patient has no facial trauma
D. Patient is unresponsive
Answer: B
Rationale: An intact gag reflex is a contraindication to SGA insertion because it
can cause vomiting, aspiration, and airway injury. Cardiac arrest (A) and
unresponsiveness (D) are indications. The absence of facial trauma (C) is
favorable.
,Question 5
An AEMT is performing bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation on an adult with an
advanced airway in place. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds
B. 1 breath every 4 seconds
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds
D. 1 breath every 10 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: With an advanced airway, the correct ventilation rate for an adult is 1
breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute). This rate minimizes interruptions
in chest compressions and prevents hyperventilation.
Question 6
Which of the following is a sign of inadequate ventilation during BVM use?
A. Visible chest rise
B. Improving oxygen saturation
C. Absent breath sounds
D. Normal skin color
Answer: C
Rationale: Absent breath sounds during BVM ventilation indicate inadequate
ventilation, possibly due to improper mask seal, airway obstruction, or esophageal
intubation. Visible chest rise (A), improving oxygen saturation (B), and normal
skin color (D) are signs of adequate ventilation.
Question 7
An AEMT is performing needle decompression for a tension pneumothorax. What
is the correct insertion site?
A. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
B. 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C. 5th intercostal space, midaxillary line
D. 6th intercostal space, posterior axillary line
, Answer: A
Rationale: The correct insertion site for needle decompression is the 2nd
intercostal space at the midclavicular line. The 4th or 5th intercostal space at the
anterior axillary line is an alternative site. The other sites (C, D) are not standard.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of tension pneumothorax?
A. Clear and equal breath sounds
B. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
C. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
D. Improved oxygen saturation
Answer: C
Rationale: In tension pneumothorax, the trachea deviates away from the affected
side due to increased pressure in the pleural space. Clear and equal breath sounds
(A) rule out pneumothorax. Improved oxygen saturation (D) suggests successful
treatment.
Question 9
An AEMT is administering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to a
patient with acute pulmonary edema. Which of the following is a contraindication?
A. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg
D. History of COPD
Answer: C
Rationale: CPAP is contraindicated in patients with hypotension (SBP < 90
mmHg) because positive pressure can further decrease venous return and worsen
hypotension. A respiratory rate of 28 (A), oxygen saturation of 88% (B), and
history of COPD (D) are not contraindications.
Prep: Practice Questions with Answer
Rationales — Airway, Trauma,
Cardiology, Medical, Obstetrics &
Clinical Operations Study Guide
SECTION 1: AIRWAY MANAGEMENT (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
An AEMT is suctioning a patient's airway. What is the maximum duration for a
single suction attempt in an adult?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction should be limited to 10 seconds or less per attempt to prevent
hypoxia and bradycardia. The patient should be hyperoxygenated before and after
suctioning. Longer attempts (C, D) increase the risk of hypoxia.
Question 2
An AEMT is selecting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) for an unresponsive adult.
How is the correct size determined?
A. Corner of the mouth to the earlobe
B. Corner of the mouth to the chin
C. Tip of the nose to the earlobe
D. Center of the mouth to the thyroid cartilage
Answer: A
,Rationale: The correct size for an OPA is measured from the corner of the mouth
to the earlobe (or angle of the jaw). An incorrectly sized OPA can obstruct the
airway or cause injury. The other measurements are incorrect.
Question 3
Which of the following is a contraindication to nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
insertion?
A. Unconscious patient
B. Suspected basilar skull fracture
C. Intact gag reflex
D. Cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Rationale: A suspected basilar skull fracture is a contraindication to NPA insertion
due to the risk of intracranial placement. An NPA can be used in unconscious
patients (A) and those with an intact gag reflex (C). Cardiac arrest (D) is not a
contraindication.
Question 4
An AEMT is preparing to insert a supraglottic airway (SGA). Which of the
following is a contraindication?
A. Patient is in cardiac arrest
B. Patient has an intact gag reflex
C. Patient has no facial trauma
D. Patient is unresponsive
Answer: B
Rationale: An intact gag reflex is a contraindication to SGA insertion because it
can cause vomiting, aspiration, and airway injury. Cardiac arrest (A) and
unresponsiveness (D) are indications. The absence of facial trauma (C) is
favorable.
,Question 5
An AEMT is performing bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation on an adult with an
advanced airway in place. What is the correct ventilation rate?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds
B. 1 breath every 4 seconds
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds
D. 1 breath every 10 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: With an advanced airway, the correct ventilation rate for an adult is 1
breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths per minute). This rate minimizes interruptions
in chest compressions and prevents hyperventilation.
Question 6
Which of the following is a sign of inadequate ventilation during BVM use?
A. Visible chest rise
B. Improving oxygen saturation
C. Absent breath sounds
D. Normal skin color
Answer: C
Rationale: Absent breath sounds during BVM ventilation indicate inadequate
ventilation, possibly due to improper mask seal, airway obstruction, or esophageal
intubation. Visible chest rise (A), improving oxygen saturation (B), and normal
skin color (D) are signs of adequate ventilation.
Question 7
An AEMT is performing needle decompression for a tension pneumothorax. What
is the correct insertion site?
A. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
B. 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C. 5th intercostal space, midaxillary line
D. 6th intercostal space, posterior axillary line
, Answer: A
Rationale: The correct insertion site for needle decompression is the 2nd
intercostal space at the midclavicular line. The 4th or 5th intercostal space at the
anterior axillary line is an alternative site. The other sites (C, D) are not standard.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of tension pneumothorax?
A. Clear and equal breath sounds
B. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
C. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
D. Improved oxygen saturation
Answer: C
Rationale: In tension pneumothorax, the trachea deviates away from the affected
side due to increased pressure in the pleural space. Clear and equal breath sounds
(A) rule out pneumothorax. Improved oxygen saturation (D) suggests successful
treatment.
Question 9
An AEMT is administering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to a
patient with acute pulmonary edema. Which of the following is a contraindication?
A. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg
D. History of COPD
Answer: C
Rationale: CPAP is contraindicated in patients with hypotension (SBP < 90
mmHg) because positive pressure can further decrease venous return and worsen
hypotension. A respiratory rate of 28 (A), oxygen saturation of 88% (B), and
history of COPD (D) are not contraindications.
