1
Crush the Maryland EMT Exam 2026/2027 – Complete
Accurate Questions, Well-Elaborated Answers &
Rationales | 100% Verified Solutions | Instant PDF
Airway, Breathing, and Ventilation
1. A 6-year-old child is found sitting upright in a "tripod" position, drooling, and with inspiratory
stridor. He has a sudden onset of fever and appears very anxious. What is the MOST appropriate
initial action?
A) Place the child supine and open the airway with a head-tilt, chin-lift.
B) Attempt to visualize the airway with a tongue depressor.
C) Administer a nebulized epinephrine treatment.
D) Allow the child to remain in a position of comfort and provide supplemental oxygen.
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This child is presenting with classic signs of epiglottitis (stridor, tripod positioning,
drooling). Epiglottitis is a life-threatening airway emergency. Agitating the child by forcing them to lie
down or attempting to visualize the airway can cause complete airway obstruction. The best immediate
action is to keep the child calm, allow them to remain in a position of comfort (which is usually sitting up
and leaning forward), and provide high-flow oxygen. Immediate transport is critical.
2. What is a normal respiratory rate for an adult?
A) 12-20 breaths/min
B) 20-30 breaths/min
C) 8-12 breaths/min
D) 30-40 breaths/min
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is between 12 and 20 breaths per
minute. Rates that are too fast (tachypnea) or too slow (bradypnea) are abnormal and can indicate an
underlying problem.
3. You are manually ventilating a patient with a bag-valve mask (BVM). You are having difficulty
maintaining a good seal. What is your BEST option?
A) Increase the flow rate of oxygen to 25 L/min.
B) Switch to a pocket mask.
C) Ask your partner to assist with a two-person BVM technique.
D) Insert an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) and continue.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A two-person BVM technique is often more effective than a single-person technique. One
,2
rescuer can use two hands to maintain a tight mask seal while the other squeezes the bag. This ensures
adequate ventilation. Increasing oxygen flow will not fix the seal issue, and a pocket mask is less
effective than a BVM. An OPA may help but does not fix a poor seal.
4. You are assessing a patient who is not breathing adequately but has a pulse. What should you do?
A) Begin CPR.
B) Begin rescue breathing with a BVM at a rate of 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
C) Administer a shock with an AED.
D) Place the patient in the recovery position.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For an adult who is not breathing adequately but has a pulse, the appropriate action is to
provide rescue breathing. The recommended rate for an adult is one breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12
breaths per minute). CPR is for patients without a pulse; an AED is for shockable rhythms; recovery
position is for unconscious but breathing patients.
5. You are ventilating a patient with a BVM. Which of the following indicates you are ventilating too
quickly?
A) The patient's chest rises visibly with each breath.
B) The patient's heart rate decreases.
C) Gastric distention is noted.
D) The patient's oxygen saturation is 94%.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric distention is a sign of over-ventilation, where air is forced into the stomach
instead of the lungs. This can lead to vomiting and aspiration. Ventilating too quickly or with too much
volume can cause this. Adequate chest rise and stable oxygen saturation are good signs.
6. You are called to a home for an unresponsive 2-year-old child. The child's airway is patent, but they
are not breathing. You should provide rescue breaths at what rate?
A) 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths/min)
B) 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min)
C) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min)
D) 1 breath every 6-8 seconds (8-10 breaths/min)
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For an infant or child who is not breathing but has a pulse, the recommended rescue
breathing rate is 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths per minute). This is faster than the adult rate
due to their higher metabolic rate.
Cardiology and Resuscitation
7. You are performing CPR on an adult patient in cardiac arrest. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A) 30:1
B) 30:2
C) 15:2
D) 15:1
✅ Correct Answer: B
,3
Rationale: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an adult, the correct ratio of chest compressions
to ventilations is 30:2. This ensures a balance of perfusion (compressions) and oxygenation
(ventilations).
8. A patient with a history of angina is complaining of chest pressure. You assist him with his
prescribed nitroglycerin. After 5 minutes, his pain is not relieved. What should you do?
A) Administer a second dose of nitroglycerin immediately.
B) Wait another 5 minutes before considering a second dose.
C) Transport immediately and consider that the patient may be having a myocardial infarction (heart
attack).
D) Administer oral glucose in case his symptoms are from low blood sugar.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If a patient's chest pain is not relieved by one dose of nitroglycerin (or after a total of
three doses over 15 minutes), it is highly suspicious for an acute myocardial infarction (MI). The priority
is rapid transport. While a second dose may be indicated, the scenario suggests a potential MI requiring
urgent medical care.
9. A 56-year-old patient is complaining of chest pain that radiates to his jaw and left arm. He is
nauseated and diaphoretic. What should you do first?
A) Obtain a full set of vital signs.
B) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min.
C) Administer his prescribed nitroglycerin.
D) Perform a head-to-toe assessment.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This patient is exhibiting classic signs of an acute myocardial infarction. The first priority is
to administer high-flow oxygen to maximize oxygenation to the heart muscle. After administering
oxygen, you can obtain vitals, assist with nitroglycerin (if prescribed and not contraindicated), and
prepare for transport.
10. You are on scene with a 70-year-old patient who is confused and has cool, clammy skin. Her
husband says she is diabetic but has been eating normally. Her blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg and her
heart rate is 120 bpm. What type of shock is she most likely experiencing?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Septic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is presenting with signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia, cool/clammy
skin, AMS). Given her age and lack of history of bleeding or allergy, cardiogenic shock (from a heart
attack or other cardiac event) is the most likely cause. Hypovolemic shock is unlikely without a source of
bleeding or fluid loss.
11. Which of the following is a contraindication for the administration of nitroglycerin?
A) Chest pain that radiates to the arm.
B) A systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg.
, 4
C) A heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm.
D) The patient has taken sildenafil (Viagra) within the last 24-48 hours.
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and can cause a severe, life-threatening drop in blood
pressure if taken with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or
vardenafil (Levitra). This is a strict contraindication. A systolic BP of less than 100 mmHg is also a
contraindication, but option D is a more specific and absolute contraindication related to a common
medication interaction.
Trauma Emergencies
12. A patient has a deep laceration on their forearm that is spurting bright red blood. What is your
immediate priority?
A) Apply direct pressure.
B) Apply a tourniquet.
C) Apply a pressure dressing.
D) Elevate the arm.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spurting bright red blood indicates arterial bleeding, which is life-threatening. Direct
pressure and elevation may not be sufficient. The immediate priority is to apply a tourniquet to control
the hemorrhage. After the tourniquet is applied, you can apply direct pressure and a pressure dressing
to the wound.
13. You are on scene with a patient who fell from a ladder. He is complaining of neck pain and is lying
face up. His airway is patent and he is breathing adequately. What should you do next?
A) Apply a cervical collar.
B) Perform a rapid trauma assessment.
C) Log roll the patient onto a long spine board.
D) Apply a non-rebreather mask.
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is a trauma patient with a suspected spinal injury. After ensuring the ABCs,
the next step is to manually stabilize the head and apply a cervical collar to immobilize the cervical
spine. After the collar is applied, you can log roll the patient onto a long spine board while maintaining
manual in-line stabilization.
14. You are treating a patient with a large piece of metal impaled in his thigh. The object is still in
place. What should you do?
A) Remove the object immediately to assess the wound.
B) Cut the object close to the skin and leave the remaining piece in place.
C) Stabilize the object in place with bulky dressings.
D) Apply a tourniquet proximal to the object.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An impaled object should never be removed in the field. Removal can cause severe
bleeding that cannot be controlled. The correct approach is to stabilize the object in place with bulky
Crush the Maryland EMT Exam 2026/2027 – Complete
Accurate Questions, Well-Elaborated Answers &
Rationales | 100% Verified Solutions | Instant PDF
Airway, Breathing, and Ventilation
1. A 6-year-old child is found sitting upright in a "tripod" position, drooling, and with inspiratory
stridor. He has a sudden onset of fever and appears very anxious. What is the MOST appropriate
initial action?
A) Place the child supine and open the airway with a head-tilt, chin-lift.
B) Attempt to visualize the airway with a tongue depressor.
C) Administer a nebulized epinephrine treatment.
D) Allow the child to remain in a position of comfort and provide supplemental oxygen.
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This child is presenting with classic signs of epiglottitis (stridor, tripod positioning,
drooling). Epiglottitis is a life-threatening airway emergency. Agitating the child by forcing them to lie
down or attempting to visualize the airway can cause complete airway obstruction. The best immediate
action is to keep the child calm, allow them to remain in a position of comfort (which is usually sitting up
and leaning forward), and provide high-flow oxygen. Immediate transport is critical.
2. What is a normal respiratory rate for an adult?
A) 12-20 breaths/min
B) 20-30 breaths/min
C) 8-12 breaths/min
D) 30-40 breaths/min
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is between 12 and 20 breaths per
minute. Rates that are too fast (tachypnea) or too slow (bradypnea) are abnormal and can indicate an
underlying problem.
3. You are manually ventilating a patient with a bag-valve mask (BVM). You are having difficulty
maintaining a good seal. What is your BEST option?
A) Increase the flow rate of oxygen to 25 L/min.
B) Switch to a pocket mask.
C) Ask your partner to assist with a two-person BVM technique.
D) Insert an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) and continue.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A two-person BVM technique is often more effective than a single-person technique. One
,2
rescuer can use two hands to maintain a tight mask seal while the other squeezes the bag. This ensures
adequate ventilation. Increasing oxygen flow will not fix the seal issue, and a pocket mask is less
effective than a BVM. An OPA may help but does not fix a poor seal.
4. You are assessing a patient who is not breathing adequately but has a pulse. What should you do?
A) Begin CPR.
B) Begin rescue breathing with a BVM at a rate of 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
C) Administer a shock with an AED.
D) Place the patient in the recovery position.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For an adult who is not breathing adequately but has a pulse, the appropriate action is to
provide rescue breathing. The recommended rate for an adult is one breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12
breaths per minute). CPR is for patients without a pulse; an AED is for shockable rhythms; recovery
position is for unconscious but breathing patients.
5. You are ventilating a patient with a BVM. Which of the following indicates you are ventilating too
quickly?
A) The patient's chest rises visibly with each breath.
B) The patient's heart rate decreases.
C) Gastric distention is noted.
D) The patient's oxygen saturation is 94%.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric distention is a sign of over-ventilation, where air is forced into the stomach
instead of the lungs. This can lead to vomiting and aspiration. Ventilating too quickly or with too much
volume can cause this. Adequate chest rise and stable oxygen saturation are good signs.
6. You are called to a home for an unresponsive 2-year-old child. The child's airway is patent, but they
are not breathing. You should provide rescue breaths at what rate?
A) 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths/min)
B) 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min)
C) 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min)
D) 1 breath every 6-8 seconds (8-10 breaths/min)
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For an infant or child who is not breathing but has a pulse, the recommended rescue
breathing rate is 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths per minute). This is faster than the adult rate
due to their higher metabolic rate.
Cardiology and Resuscitation
7. You are performing CPR on an adult patient in cardiac arrest. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A) 30:1
B) 30:2
C) 15:2
D) 15:1
✅ Correct Answer: B
,3
Rationale: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an adult, the correct ratio of chest compressions
to ventilations is 30:2. This ensures a balance of perfusion (compressions) and oxygenation
(ventilations).
8. A patient with a history of angina is complaining of chest pressure. You assist him with his
prescribed nitroglycerin. After 5 minutes, his pain is not relieved. What should you do?
A) Administer a second dose of nitroglycerin immediately.
B) Wait another 5 minutes before considering a second dose.
C) Transport immediately and consider that the patient may be having a myocardial infarction (heart
attack).
D) Administer oral glucose in case his symptoms are from low blood sugar.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If a patient's chest pain is not relieved by one dose of nitroglycerin (or after a total of
three doses over 15 minutes), it is highly suspicious for an acute myocardial infarction (MI). The priority
is rapid transport. While a second dose may be indicated, the scenario suggests a potential MI requiring
urgent medical care.
9. A 56-year-old patient is complaining of chest pain that radiates to his jaw and left arm. He is
nauseated and diaphoretic. What should you do first?
A) Obtain a full set of vital signs.
B) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min.
C) Administer his prescribed nitroglycerin.
D) Perform a head-to-toe assessment.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This patient is exhibiting classic signs of an acute myocardial infarction. The first priority is
to administer high-flow oxygen to maximize oxygenation to the heart muscle. After administering
oxygen, you can obtain vitals, assist with nitroglycerin (if prescribed and not contraindicated), and
prepare for transport.
10. You are on scene with a 70-year-old patient who is confused and has cool, clammy skin. Her
husband says she is diabetic but has been eating normally. Her blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg and her
heart rate is 120 bpm. What type of shock is she most likely experiencing?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Septic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is presenting with signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia, cool/clammy
skin, AMS). Given her age and lack of history of bleeding or allergy, cardiogenic shock (from a heart
attack or other cardiac event) is the most likely cause. Hypovolemic shock is unlikely without a source of
bleeding or fluid loss.
11. Which of the following is a contraindication for the administration of nitroglycerin?
A) Chest pain that radiates to the arm.
B) A systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg.
, 4
C) A heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm.
D) The patient has taken sildenafil (Viagra) within the last 24-48 hours.
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and can cause a severe, life-threatening drop in blood
pressure if taken with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or
vardenafil (Levitra). This is a strict contraindication. A systolic BP of less than 100 mmHg is also a
contraindication, but option D is a more specific and absolute contraindication related to a common
medication interaction.
Trauma Emergencies
12. A patient has a deep laceration on their forearm that is spurting bright red blood. What is your
immediate priority?
A) Apply direct pressure.
B) Apply a tourniquet.
C) Apply a pressure dressing.
D) Elevate the arm.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spurting bright red blood indicates arterial bleeding, which is life-threatening. Direct
pressure and elevation may not be sufficient. The immediate priority is to apply a tourniquet to control
the hemorrhage. After the tourniquet is applied, you can apply direct pressure and a pressure dressing
to the wound.
13. You are on scene with a patient who fell from a ladder. He is complaining of neck pain and is lying
face up. His airway is patent and he is breathing adequately. What should you do next?
A) Apply a cervical collar.
B) Perform a rapid trauma assessment.
C) Log roll the patient onto a long spine board.
D) Apply a non-rebreather mask.
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is a trauma patient with a suspected spinal injury. After ensuring the ABCs,
the next step is to manually stabilize the head and apply a cervical collar to immobilize the cervical
spine. After the collar is applied, you can log roll the patient onto a long spine board while maintaining
manual in-line stabilization.
14. You are treating a patient with a large piece of metal impaled in his thigh. The object is still in
place. What should you do?
A) Remove the object immediately to assess the wound.
B) Cut the object close to the skin and leave the remaining piece in place.
C) Stabilize the object in place with bulky dressings.
D) Apply a tourniquet proximal to the object.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An impaled object should never be removed in the field. Removal can cause severe
bleeding that cannot be controlled. The correct approach is to stabilize the object in place with bulky
