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NATIONAL REGISTRY AEMT EXAM
PRACTICE EXAM – 40 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: AIRWAY, RESPIRATION & VENTILATION
**1. What is the primary respiratory stimulus in a healthy
adult?**
A. Decreased arterial oxygen level (hypoxia)
B. Increased arterial carbon dioxide level (hypercapnia)
C. Decreased blood pH (acidosis)
D. Increased blood pressure
**Correct answer:** Increased arterial carbon dioxide level
(hypercapnia)
**Rationale:** Central chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata
are primarily sensitive to changes in PaCO₂ and pH. Elevated
CO₂ (hypercapnia) is the main driver of ventilation in a healthy
individual. Hypoxia drives breathing primarily in chronic CO₂
retainers .
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---
**2. A patient with severe asthma exacerbation is being
ventilated with a bag-valve mask. Which ventilation strategy
best minimizes the risk of dynamic hyperinflation and
barotrauma?**
A. Deliver large tidal volumes at a rapid rate to overcome
airway resistance
B. Use a slower rate with smaller tidal volumes and allow full
exhalation
C. Apply positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 15 cm H₂O
to stent airways open
D. Hyperventilate to reduce PaCO₂ and stimulate respiratory
drive
**Correct answer:** Use a slower rate with smaller tidal
volumes and allow full exhalation
**Rationale:** In severe asthma, air trapping occurs due to
prolonged exhalation. Using slower rates and smaller tidal
volumes with allowance for complete exhalation reduces
dynamic hyperinflation and barotrauma. Large volumes and
rapid rates worsen air trapping, and high PEEP can increase
intrathoracic pressure and impair venous return .
---
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**3. Which of the following is the most accurate method to
confirm endotracheal tube placement?**
A. Observation of chest rise
B. Listening for breath sounds
C. Capnography
D. Fogging in the tube
**Correct answer:** Capnography
**Rationale:** Capnography provides continuous and objective
confirmation of tube placement by measuring exhaled CO₂,
making it the most reliable method .
---
**4. In which of the following situations is a nasopharyngeal
airway (NPA) preferred over an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?**
A. Patient with no gag reflex
B. Patient with a gag reflex
C. Patient with facial trauma
D. Patient with suspected basilar skull fracture
NATIONAL REGISTRY AEMT EXAM
PRACTICE EXAM – 40 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: AIRWAY, RESPIRATION & VENTILATION
**1. What is the primary respiratory stimulus in a healthy
adult?**
A. Decreased arterial oxygen level (hypoxia)
B. Increased arterial carbon dioxide level (hypercapnia)
C. Decreased blood pH (acidosis)
D. Increased blood pressure
**Correct answer:** Increased arterial carbon dioxide level
(hypercapnia)
**Rationale:** Central chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata
are primarily sensitive to changes in PaCO₂ and pH. Elevated
CO₂ (hypercapnia) is the main driver of ventilation in a healthy
individual. Hypoxia drives breathing primarily in chronic CO₂
retainers .
,2 | Page
---
**2. A patient with severe asthma exacerbation is being
ventilated with a bag-valve mask. Which ventilation strategy
best minimizes the risk of dynamic hyperinflation and
barotrauma?**
A. Deliver large tidal volumes at a rapid rate to overcome
airway resistance
B. Use a slower rate with smaller tidal volumes and allow full
exhalation
C. Apply positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 15 cm H₂O
to stent airways open
D. Hyperventilate to reduce PaCO₂ and stimulate respiratory
drive
**Correct answer:** Use a slower rate with smaller tidal
volumes and allow full exhalation
**Rationale:** In severe asthma, air trapping occurs due to
prolonged exhalation. Using slower rates and smaller tidal
volumes with allowance for complete exhalation reduces
dynamic hyperinflation and barotrauma. Large volumes and
rapid rates worsen air trapping, and high PEEP can increase
intrathoracic pressure and impair venous return .
---
, 3 | Page
**3. Which of the following is the most accurate method to
confirm endotracheal tube placement?**
A. Observation of chest rise
B. Listening for breath sounds
C. Capnography
D. Fogging in the tube
**Correct answer:** Capnography
**Rationale:** Capnography provides continuous and objective
confirmation of tube placement by measuring exhaled CO₂,
making it the most reliable method .
---
**4. In which of the following situations is a nasopharyngeal
airway (NPA) preferred over an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?**
A. Patient with no gag reflex
B. Patient with a gag reflex
C. Patient with facial trauma
D. Patient with suspected basilar skull fracture
