West Coast EMT – Block 4 (Trauma) Exam 2026 |
Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers &
Rationales | pdf
1. Which of the following is the first step in trauma patient assessment?
A. Detailed physical exam
B. Primary survey (ABCs)
C. Vital signs
D. History taking
Answer: B. Primary survey (ABCs)
Rationale: The primary survey focuses on Airway, Breathing, and Circulation to identify
life-threatening conditions first.
2. A patient has uncontrolled bleeding from a laceration. What is the
EMT’s first intervention?
A. Apply a tourniquet immediately
B. Apply direct pressure
C. Elevate the limb only
D. Apply ice
Answer: B. Apply direct pressure
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line treatment for external bleeding; tourniquets
are used if pressure fails.
3. Which of the following best describes blunt trauma?
A. Injury from penetrating objects
B. Injury from impact without penetration
C. Injury from burns
D. Injury from chemicals
Answer: B. Injury from impact without penetration
Rationale: Blunt trauma occurs from falls, collisions, or strikes that do not break the
skin.
4. Which type of shock is most likely from severe bleeding?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Neurogenic shock
,D. Septic shock
Answer: B. Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from loss of blood or fluids, reducing perfusion to
tissues.
5. A patient fell from a height and complains of back pain. What is the
most appropriate spinal immobilization?
A. Cervical collar only
B. Long spine board with head immobilization
C. Sitting position without immobilization
D. Allow self-movement
Answer: B. Long spine board with head immobilization
Rationale: Suspected spinal injury requires full spinal immobilization to prevent further
injury.
6. Which of the following is a sign of internal bleeding?
A. Hematoma
B. Bruising, hypotension, tachycardia
C. Obvious external bleeding
D. Swelling only
Answer: B. Bruising, hypotension, tachycardia
Rationale: Internal bleeding may not be visible but presents with shock symptoms and
discoloration.
7. Which type of fracture breaks through the skin?
A. Closed fracture
B. Open (compound) fracture
C. Greenstick fracture
D. Stress fracture
Answer: B. Open (compound) fracture
Rationale: An open fracture involves skin penetration and requires immediate bleeding
control and infection prevention.
8. What is the EMT’s first action for an amputated limb?
A. Apply a tourniquet only
B. Control bleeding and preserve the amputated part properly
C. Wash and reattach the limb immediately
D. Place limb in ice water directly
Answer: B. Control bleeding and preserve the amputated part properly
Rationale: Direct pressure or tourniquet controls bleeding; amputated tissue should be
wrapped in moist sterile gauze and transported appropriately.
, 9. Which of the following is the proper method for controlling severe
extremity bleeding if direct pressure fails?
A. Elevation
B. Tourniquet application
C. Pressure points only
D. Cold compress
Answer: B. Tourniquet application
Rationale: Tourniquets are used for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage not
controlled by direct pressure.
10. A patient presents with a penetrating chest wound. What is the
EMT’s priority?
A. Apply a dry dressing
B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing
C. Give oral fluids
D. Apply a splint
Answer: B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing
Rationale: Occlusive dressings prevent air from entering the chest (preventing tension
pneumothorax).
11. Which of the following signs indicates a possible tension
pneumothorax?
A. Equal breath sounds bilaterally
B. Hypotension, distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on one side
C. Bruising on the chest only
D. Tachycardia without respiratory symptoms
Answer: B. Hypotension, distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on one side
Rationale: Classic tension pneumothorax signs include hypotension, JVD, tracheal
deviation, and absent breath sounds.
12. Which type of burn affects the epidermis only?
A. First-degree burn
B. Second-degree burn
C. Third-degree burn
D. Fourth-degree burn
Answer: A. First-degree burn
Rationale: First-degree burns are superficial, causing redness and pain without blisters.
13. Which of the following indicates a high-priority trauma patient?
Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers &
Rationales | pdf
1. Which of the following is the first step in trauma patient assessment?
A. Detailed physical exam
B. Primary survey (ABCs)
C. Vital signs
D. History taking
Answer: B. Primary survey (ABCs)
Rationale: The primary survey focuses on Airway, Breathing, and Circulation to identify
life-threatening conditions first.
2. A patient has uncontrolled bleeding from a laceration. What is the
EMT’s first intervention?
A. Apply a tourniquet immediately
B. Apply direct pressure
C. Elevate the limb only
D. Apply ice
Answer: B. Apply direct pressure
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line treatment for external bleeding; tourniquets
are used if pressure fails.
3. Which of the following best describes blunt trauma?
A. Injury from penetrating objects
B. Injury from impact without penetration
C. Injury from burns
D. Injury from chemicals
Answer: B. Injury from impact without penetration
Rationale: Blunt trauma occurs from falls, collisions, or strikes that do not break the
skin.
4. Which type of shock is most likely from severe bleeding?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Neurogenic shock
,D. Septic shock
Answer: B. Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from loss of blood or fluids, reducing perfusion to
tissues.
5. A patient fell from a height and complains of back pain. What is the
most appropriate spinal immobilization?
A. Cervical collar only
B. Long spine board with head immobilization
C. Sitting position without immobilization
D. Allow self-movement
Answer: B. Long spine board with head immobilization
Rationale: Suspected spinal injury requires full spinal immobilization to prevent further
injury.
6. Which of the following is a sign of internal bleeding?
A. Hematoma
B. Bruising, hypotension, tachycardia
C. Obvious external bleeding
D. Swelling only
Answer: B. Bruising, hypotension, tachycardia
Rationale: Internal bleeding may not be visible but presents with shock symptoms and
discoloration.
7. Which type of fracture breaks through the skin?
A. Closed fracture
B. Open (compound) fracture
C. Greenstick fracture
D. Stress fracture
Answer: B. Open (compound) fracture
Rationale: An open fracture involves skin penetration and requires immediate bleeding
control and infection prevention.
8. What is the EMT’s first action for an amputated limb?
A. Apply a tourniquet only
B. Control bleeding and preserve the amputated part properly
C. Wash and reattach the limb immediately
D. Place limb in ice water directly
Answer: B. Control bleeding and preserve the amputated part properly
Rationale: Direct pressure or tourniquet controls bleeding; amputated tissue should be
wrapped in moist sterile gauze and transported appropriately.
, 9. Which of the following is the proper method for controlling severe
extremity bleeding if direct pressure fails?
A. Elevation
B. Tourniquet application
C. Pressure points only
D. Cold compress
Answer: B. Tourniquet application
Rationale: Tourniquets are used for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage not
controlled by direct pressure.
10. A patient presents with a penetrating chest wound. What is the
EMT’s priority?
A. Apply a dry dressing
B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing
C. Give oral fluids
D. Apply a splint
Answer: B. Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing
Rationale: Occlusive dressings prevent air from entering the chest (preventing tension
pneumothorax).
11. Which of the following signs indicates a possible tension
pneumothorax?
A. Equal breath sounds bilaterally
B. Hypotension, distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on one side
C. Bruising on the chest only
D. Tachycardia without respiratory symptoms
Answer: B. Hypotension, distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on one side
Rationale: Classic tension pneumothorax signs include hypotension, JVD, tracheal
deviation, and absent breath sounds.
12. Which type of burn affects the epidermis only?
A. First-degree burn
B. Second-degree burn
C. Third-degree burn
D. Fourth-degree burn
Answer: A. First-degree burn
Rationale: First-degree burns are superficial, causing redness and pain without blisters.
13. Which of the following indicates a high-priority trauma patient?
