1|Page SUCCESS!!!
,PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE 11TH EDITION BY
JOSEPH J. MISTIVICH ,KEITH J. KARREN 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATE
Chapter 1: EMS Systems, Research, and Public Health
Question 1: What is a primary purpose of the modern-day EMS system?
A) Provide a means of transport to and from the hospital
B) Ensure that all members of society have equal access to hospitals
C) Decrease the incidence of death and disability related to injury and illness
D) Provide emergency health care services to medically underserved areas
Answer: C
Rationale: The core purpose of EMS is to reduce morbidity and mortality through timely prehospital intervention,
not merely transportation.
Question 2: Most authorities agree that the modern-day EMS system evolved after the release of which document?
A) The Emergency Medical Services Act of 1973
B) The white paper “Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society” in 1966
C) The American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Cardiac Resuscitation
D) Emergency Medical Services: Agenda for the Future, in 1996
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1966 white paper is widely credited as the catalyst for modern EMS development, highlighting
trauma as a neglected public health issue.
Question 3: An Emergency Medical Responder wants to work full-time on an ambulance. Knowing the National
EMS Scope of Practice Model, what element must they attain first?
A) They will be able to take care of only non-life-threatening complaints
B) They will first need approval from the medical director
C) They will be able to work only with an AEMT or Paramedic
D) They will first have to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an Emergency Medical Responder must first
become an EMT to work on an ambulance.
Question 4: As defined by the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, the four levels of EMS practitioners include:
A) Ambulance drivers
B) EMS medical director
C) Paramedics
D) Emergency medical dispatchers
Answer: C
Rationale: The four levels are EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,Question 5: Once a scene is free of safety hazards, the EMT must recognize and focus on the needs of the:
A) Rescuers
B) Patient
C) Family
D) Bystanders
Answer: B
Rationale: After scene safety is ensured, the EMT's priority shifts to patient assessment and care.
Chapter 2: Workforce Safety and Wellness
Question 6: Which statement by an EMT requires immediate intervention by a supervisor?
A) “I always wear my seat belt when in the ambulance, unless I have to remove it to care for a patient.”
B) “I drive as fast as I can to get to the scene of an emergency, especially if a child is sick or injured.”
C) “When driving with lights and sirens, my partner handles all radio communications.”
D) “I put exam gloves on for every patient contact.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reckless driving endangers the crew, patient, and public. Emergency response does not justify unsafe
speed.
Question 7: Which statement shows an EMT understands their role and responsibilities regarding safety?
A) “The patient’s needs come before anyone else’s needs.”
B) “My responsibility is to get to the patient no matter what.”
C) “My safety comes first, and then the patient’s safety.”
D) “I should never wear gloves unless the patient is bleeding.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Scene safety and personal safety are the EMT's first priority. Only after ensuring a safe environment can
the EMT safely care for the patient.
Chapter 3: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues
Question 8: Which of the following represents “implied consent”?
A) The patient signs a consent form before treatment
B) The patient is unconscious and needs immediate lifesaving care
C) The patient’s family member gives permission for treatment
D) The patient refuses care but the EMT treats them anyway
Answer: B
Rationale: Implied consent applies when the patient is unconscious or unable to give consent and immediate
lifesaving care is needed. The law assumes the patient would consent if able.
Question 9: An EMT who acts outside their scope of practice could be charged with:
A) Negligence
B) Battery
C) Assault
D) All of the above
Answer: D
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, Rationale: Practicing beyond one's scope can result in civil and criminal liability, including negligence, battery,
and assault charges.
Chapter 8: Patient Assessment
Question 10: What is the correct order of the patient assessment process?
A) Scene size-up, primary assessment, history taking, secondary assessment, reassessment
B) Primary assessment, scene size-up, secondary assessment, reassessment
C) History taking, scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment
D) Secondary assessment, primary assessment, scene size-up, reassessment
Answer: A
Rationale: The correct sequence is: Scene size-up → Primary assessment → History taking → Secondary
assessment → Reassessment.
Question 11: During the primary assessment, which finding indicates the most immediate threat to life?
A) A broken arm
B) A blood pressure of 90/60
C) An open airway
D) Absent breath sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: Airway is the priority in the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Absent breath sounds indicates an
airway or breathing problem requiring immediate intervention.
Chapter 13: Airway Management
Question 12: Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unconscious patient with a gag reflex?
A) Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
B) Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
C) Endotracheal tube
D) King LT airway
Answer: B
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway can be used in patients with an intact gag reflex. An oropharyngeal airway
should only be used in unconscious patients without a gag reflex.
Question 13: What is the correct technique for suctioning a patient's airway?
A) Suction on the way in and the way out
B) Suction only on the way out for no more than 15 seconds
C) Suction continuously for 30 seconds
D) Suction only when the patient is coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction only on the way out for no more than 15 seconds to avoid hypoxia. Never suction on the way in.
Chapter 18: Cardiac Emergencies
Question 14: What is the first step in managing a patient with chest pain?
A) Administer aspirin
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
,PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE 11TH EDITION BY
JOSEPH J. MISTIVICH ,KEITH J. KARREN 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATE
Chapter 1: EMS Systems, Research, and Public Health
Question 1: What is a primary purpose of the modern-day EMS system?
A) Provide a means of transport to and from the hospital
B) Ensure that all members of society have equal access to hospitals
C) Decrease the incidence of death and disability related to injury and illness
D) Provide emergency health care services to medically underserved areas
Answer: C
Rationale: The core purpose of EMS is to reduce morbidity and mortality through timely prehospital intervention,
not merely transportation.
Question 2: Most authorities agree that the modern-day EMS system evolved after the release of which document?
A) The Emergency Medical Services Act of 1973
B) The white paper “Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society” in 1966
C) The American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Cardiac Resuscitation
D) Emergency Medical Services: Agenda for the Future, in 1996
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1966 white paper is widely credited as the catalyst for modern EMS development, highlighting
trauma as a neglected public health issue.
Question 3: An Emergency Medical Responder wants to work full-time on an ambulance. Knowing the National
EMS Scope of Practice Model, what element must they attain first?
A) They will be able to take care of only non-life-threatening complaints
B) They will first need approval from the medical director
C) They will be able to work only with an AEMT or Paramedic
D) They will first have to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an Emergency Medical Responder must first
become an EMT to work on an ambulance.
Question 4: As defined by the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, the four levels of EMS practitioners include:
A) Ambulance drivers
B) EMS medical director
C) Paramedics
D) Emergency medical dispatchers
Answer: C
Rationale: The four levels are EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,Question 5: Once a scene is free of safety hazards, the EMT must recognize and focus on the needs of the:
A) Rescuers
B) Patient
C) Family
D) Bystanders
Answer: B
Rationale: After scene safety is ensured, the EMT's priority shifts to patient assessment and care.
Chapter 2: Workforce Safety and Wellness
Question 6: Which statement by an EMT requires immediate intervention by a supervisor?
A) “I always wear my seat belt when in the ambulance, unless I have to remove it to care for a patient.”
B) “I drive as fast as I can to get to the scene of an emergency, especially if a child is sick or injured.”
C) “When driving with lights and sirens, my partner handles all radio communications.”
D) “I put exam gloves on for every patient contact.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reckless driving endangers the crew, patient, and public. Emergency response does not justify unsafe
speed.
Question 7: Which statement shows an EMT understands their role and responsibilities regarding safety?
A) “The patient’s needs come before anyone else’s needs.”
B) “My responsibility is to get to the patient no matter what.”
C) “My safety comes first, and then the patient’s safety.”
D) “I should never wear gloves unless the patient is bleeding.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Scene safety and personal safety are the EMT's first priority. Only after ensuring a safe environment can
the EMT safely care for the patient.
Chapter 3: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues
Question 8: Which of the following represents “implied consent”?
A) The patient signs a consent form before treatment
B) The patient is unconscious and needs immediate lifesaving care
C) The patient’s family member gives permission for treatment
D) The patient refuses care but the EMT treats them anyway
Answer: B
Rationale: Implied consent applies when the patient is unconscious or unable to give consent and immediate
lifesaving care is needed. The law assumes the patient would consent if able.
Question 9: An EMT who acts outside their scope of practice could be charged with:
A) Negligence
B) Battery
C) Assault
D) All of the above
Answer: D
3|Page SUCCESS!!!
, Rationale: Practicing beyond one's scope can result in civil and criminal liability, including negligence, battery,
and assault charges.
Chapter 8: Patient Assessment
Question 10: What is the correct order of the patient assessment process?
A) Scene size-up, primary assessment, history taking, secondary assessment, reassessment
B) Primary assessment, scene size-up, secondary assessment, reassessment
C) History taking, scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment
D) Secondary assessment, primary assessment, scene size-up, reassessment
Answer: A
Rationale: The correct sequence is: Scene size-up → Primary assessment → History taking → Secondary
assessment → Reassessment.
Question 11: During the primary assessment, which finding indicates the most immediate threat to life?
A) A broken arm
B) A blood pressure of 90/60
C) An open airway
D) Absent breath sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: Airway is the priority in the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Absent breath sounds indicates an
airway or breathing problem requiring immediate intervention.
Chapter 13: Airway Management
Question 12: Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unconscious patient with a gag reflex?
A) Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
B) Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
C) Endotracheal tube
D) King LT airway
Answer: B
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway can be used in patients with an intact gag reflex. An oropharyngeal airway
should only be used in unconscious patients without a gag reflex.
Question 13: What is the correct technique for suctioning a patient's airway?
A) Suction on the way in and the way out
B) Suction only on the way out for no more than 15 seconds
C) Suction continuously for 30 seconds
D) Suction only when the patient is coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction only on the way out for no more than 15 seconds to avoid hypoxia. Never suction on the way in.
Chapter 18: Cardiac Emergencies
Question 14: What is the first step in managing a patient with chest pain?
A) Administer aspirin
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
