EFMB Study Guide 2026/2027 | Combat Medicine, TCCC,
Preventive Medicine, Evacuation & Warrior Skills
SECTION 1: COMBAT MEDICINE FUNDAMENTALS — QUESTIONS 1–30
1. What is the primary role of a combat medic in a tactical
environment?
A. Perform administrative duties only
B. Provide timely emergency medical care while maintaining tactical
awareness
C. Replace all physician functions
D. Transport every casualty personally
Answer: B
Rationale: Combat medics provide immediate lifesaving care while
balancing medical priorities with the tactical situation.
2. Which principle should guide treatment of a casualty in a hostile
environment?
A. Ignore the tactical situation
B. Treat only after complete diagnostic testing
C. Balance casualty care with force protection
D. Always move the casualty immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: The medic must protect the team and casualty while
providing appropriate lifesaving care.
3. What is the first priority when approaching a casualty in a
dangerous tactical area?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
,B. Establish scene and tactical safety
C. Apply a splint
D. Start an IV
Answer: B
Rationale: A responder should not become another casualty. Tactical
and scene safety must be considered first.
4. Which condition is generally considered immediately life-
threatening?
A. Minor abrasion
B. Controlled small laceration
C. Massive hemorrhage
D. Mild headache
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bleeding can cause death within minutes and
requires rapid recognition and control.
5. What is the purpose of a primary assessment?
A. Identify every chronic illness
B. Identify and treat immediate life threats
C. Complete all documentation
D. Determine long-term rehabilitation
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary assessment rapidly identifies conditions
requiring immediate intervention.
6. Which finding may indicate inadequate circulation?
A. Warm skin with normal mentation
B. Strong peripheral pulse
,C. Altered mental status with weak pulses
D. Normal capillary refill alone
Answer: C
Rationale: Altered mental status and weak pulses can indicate poor
perfusion and shock.
7. Why should a casualty be reassessed after an intervention?
A. Treatment may fail or the casualty's condition may change
B. Documentation is more important than treatment
C. Reassessment is only needed after evacuation
D. It is required only for minor injuries
Answer: A
Rationale: Reassessment determines whether interventions worked
and identifies deterioration.
8. Which is an example of a life-threatening airway problem?
A. Minor lip abrasion
B. Complete airway obstruction
C. Small scalp bruise
D. Mild sunburn
Answer: B
Rationale: Complete airway obstruction prevents oxygen from reaching
the lungs and is immediately life-threatening.
9. What does perfusion refer to?
A. Movement of air into the lungs
B. Blood flow delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues
C. Body temperature regulation
D. Bone movement
, Answer: B
Rationale: Perfusion is the delivery of adequately oxygenated blood to
tissues.
10. What is a major objective of field medical care?
A. Delay evacuation
B. Prevent deterioration and preserve life
C. Avoid reassessment
D. Perform definitive hospital surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Field care focuses on lifesaving stabilization until the casualty
can receive higher-level treatment.
11. Which observation can provide useful information about a
casualty's neurological status?
A. Level of consciousness
B. Shoe size
C. Uniform color
D. Hair length
Answer: A
Rationale: Changes in consciousness can indicate hypoxia, shock,
traumatic brain injury, or other serious conditions.
12. What should a medic do if a casualty becomes less responsive?
A. Ignore the change
B. Reassess airway, breathing, circulation, and other life threats
C. Wait for evacuation without intervention
D. Give food immediately
Preventive Medicine, Evacuation & Warrior Skills
SECTION 1: COMBAT MEDICINE FUNDAMENTALS — QUESTIONS 1–30
1. What is the primary role of a combat medic in a tactical
environment?
A. Perform administrative duties only
B. Provide timely emergency medical care while maintaining tactical
awareness
C. Replace all physician functions
D. Transport every casualty personally
Answer: B
Rationale: Combat medics provide immediate lifesaving care while
balancing medical priorities with the tactical situation.
2. Which principle should guide treatment of a casualty in a hostile
environment?
A. Ignore the tactical situation
B. Treat only after complete diagnostic testing
C. Balance casualty care with force protection
D. Always move the casualty immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: The medic must protect the team and casualty while
providing appropriate lifesaving care.
3. What is the first priority when approaching a casualty in a
dangerous tactical area?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
,B. Establish scene and tactical safety
C. Apply a splint
D. Start an IV
Answer: B
Rationale: A responder should not become another casualty. Tactical
and scene safety must be considered first.
4. Which condition is generally considered immediately life-
threatening?
A. Minor abrasion
B. Controlled small laceration
C. Massive hemorrhage
D. Mild headache
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe bleeding can cause death within minutes and
requires rapid recognition and control.
5. What is the purpose of a primary assessment?
A. Identify every chronic illness
B. Identify and treat immediate life threats
C. Complete all documentation
D. Determine long-term rehabilitation
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary assessment rapidly identifies conditions
requiring immediate intervention.
6. Which finding may indicate inadequate circulation?
A. Warm skin with normal mentation
B. Strong peripheral pulse
,C. Altered mental status with weak pulses
D. Normal capillary refill alone
Answer: C
Rationale: Altered mental status and weak pulses can indicate poor
perfusion and shock.
7. Why should a casualty be reassessed after an intervention?
A. Treatment may fail or the casualty's condition may change
B. Documentation is more important than treatment
C. Reassessment is only needed after evacuation
D. It is required only for minor injuries
Answer: A
Rationale: Reassessment determines whether interventions worked
and identifies deterioration.
8. Which is an example of a life-threatening airway problem?
A. Minor lip abrasion
B. Complete airway obstruction
C. Small scalp bruise
D. Mild sunburn
Answer: B
Rationale: Complete airway obstruction prevents oxygen from reaching
the lungs and is immediately life-threatening.
9. What does perfusion refer to?
A. Movement of air into the lungs
B. Blood flow delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues
C. Body temperature regulation
D. Bone movement
, Answer: B
Rationale: Perfusion is the delivery of adequately oxygenated blood to
tissues.
10. What is a major objective of field medical care?
A. Delay evacuation
B. Prevent deterioration and preserve life
C. Avoid reassessment
D. Perform definitive hospital surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Field care focuses on lifesaving stabilization until the casualty
can receive higher-level treatment.
11. Which observation can provide useful information about a
casualty's neurological status?
A. Level of consciousness
B. Shoe size
C. Uniform color
D. Hair length
Answer: A
Rationale: Changes in consciousness can indicate hypoxia, shock,
traumatic brain injury, or other serious conditions.
12. What should a medic do if a casualty becomes less responsive?
A. Ignore the change
B. Reassess airway, breathing, circulation, and other life threats
C. Wait for evacuation without intervention
D. Give food immediately
