FTEC 144 NREMT EXAM PREP |
UPDATED MULTIPLE CHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (2025–
2026)
Hypoglycemia and acute ischemic stroke can present similarly because:
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
• B:the majority of stroke patients have a history of diabetes.
• C:the most common cause of a stroke is hypoglycemia.
• D:they are both caused by low levels of glucose in the blood.
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
Reason: Although stroke and hypoglycemia are two distinctly different conditions, their
signs and symptoms are often similar. This is because the brain requires both oxygen and
glucose to function normally. An acute ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen to a
part of the brain due to a blocked cerebral artery, whereas hypoglycemia (low blood
glucose level) deprives the entire brain of glucose. In either case, the patient presents with
signs of impaired brain function (ie, slurred speech, weakness, altered mental status). Both
conditions may lead to permanent brain damage or death if not treated promptly.
A 50-year-old man presents with crushing chest pain of sudden onset. He is diaphoretic,
apprehensive, and tachypneic. You should:
• A:obtain baseline vital signs.
• B:ask him if he takes nitroglycerin.
• C:perform a complete physical exam.
,• D:apply supplemental oxygen.
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:
All of the interventions and assessments listed in this question should be performed on a
patient who presents with chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. However, supplemental
oxygen is indicated for any patient with a potential cardiac problem and should be given as
soon as possible; this is especially true when the patient has potential respiratory
involvement as well (ie, dyspnea, tachypnea). Administer oxygen in a concentration
sufficient to maintain an oxygen saturation of 94% or greater. Aspirin (up to 325 mg) should
also be administered as soon as possible, unless the patient is allergic to it. After applying
oxygen and administering aspirin, you should perform a physical exam and obtain baseline
vital signs. You would inquire about any prescription medications the patient is taking (eg,
NTG) during the SAMPLE history.
You arrive at a residence where you find a man lying unresponsive in his front yard. There
were no witnesses to the event. In assessing this man, you should assume that he:
• A:has a heat-related emergency.
• B:has sustained an injury.
• C:is having a diabetic reaction.
• D:is having a heart attack.
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:
In the absence of any witnesses, you should assume that any patient who is found
unresponsive has an injury until ruled out at the hospital. Apply spinal motion restriction
precautions as needed. Do not be so hasty to label your patient as a "medical" or "trauma"
patient. Many patients have injuries and medical conditions at the same time. For example,
a patient can be driving his or her vehicle, experience a heart attack, and run off the road
and strike a tree.
,Priority treatment for a large avulsion includes:
• A:cleaning the wound.
• B:assessing distal circulation.
• C:immobilizing the injured area.
• D:controlling any bleeding.
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:
Immediate treatment for any soft-tissue injury begins with controlling any external
bleeding. Once the bleeding is controlled, distal circulation, motor, and sensory functions
should be assessed, the wound dressed and bandaged, and then distal circulation, motor,
and sensory functions reassessed. The injured area can be immobilized as well to prevent
further injury and to help reduce bleeding. Generally, open wounds are not cleaned in the
field unless they are grossly contaminated with large debris.
During your initial attempt to ventilate an unresponsive apneic patient, you meet resistance
and do not see the patient's chest rise. You should:
• A:reposition the head and reattempt to ventilate.
• B:begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.
• C:suction the airway for no longer than 15 seconds.
• D:assume that a foreign body is blocking the airway.
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
, If your initial attempt to ventilate a patient is met with resistance and/or does not make the
chest visibly rise, you should reposition the patient's head and reattempt to ventilate. In
many cases, this simple action will open the airway and enable you to ventilate the patient.
However, If both of your breaths are met with resistance and/or do not make the chest
visibly rise, you should assume that a foreign body is obstructing the airway and begin
chest compressions. The airway should be suctioned if secretions are present in the
mouth; if oral secretions are not present, do not suction.
Which of the following patients obviously needs positive-pressure ventilation assistance?
• A:Responsive to pain only; respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and shallow
• B:Combative; respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min and deep
• C:Restless; respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min with adequate tidal volume
• D:Semiconscious; respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min and good chest rise
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
Any patient with a decreased level of consciousness should be assessed for inadequate
breathing (eg, fast or slow respiratory rate, reduced tidal volume [shallow breathing]). Of
the patients listed, the patient who is responsive to pain only and has shallow respirations
of 8 breaths/min clearly needs positive-pressure ventilation assistance. Slow, shallow
respirations will not produce the minute volume needed to support adequate oxygenation
of the blood.
A 56-year-old man has labored, shallow breathing at a rate of 28 breaths/min. He is
responsive to pain only. You should:
• A:insert a nasopharyngeal airway and begin assisting his ventilations.
• B:place him on his side and administer oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
• C:suction his mouth for 15 seconds and insert an oropharyngeal airway.
UPDATED MULTIPLE CHOICE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (2025–
2026)
Hypoglycemia and acute ischemic stroke can present similarly because:
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
• B:the majority of stroke patients have a history of diabetes.
• C:the most common cause of a stroke is hypoglycemia.
• D:they are both caused by low levels of glucose in the blood.
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
Reason: Although stroke and hypoglycemia are two distinctly different conditions, their
signs and symptoms are often similar. This is because the brain requires both oxygen and
glucose to function normally. An acute ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen to a
part of the brain due to a blocked cerebral artery, whereas hypoglycemia (low blood
glucose level) deprives the entire brain of glucose. In either case, the patient presents with
signs of impaired brain function (ie, slurred speech, weakness, altered mental status). Both
conditions may lead to permanent brain damage or death if not treated promptly.
A 50-year-old man presents with crushing chest pain of sudden onset. He is diaphoretic,
apprehensive, and tachypneic. You should:
• A:obtain baseline vital signs.
• B:ask him if he takes nitroglycerin.
• C:perform a complete physical exam.
,• D:apply supplemental oxygen.
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:
All of the interventions and assessments listed in this question should be performed on a
patient who presents with chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. However, supplemental
oxygen is indicated for any patient with a potential cardiac problem and should be given as
soon as possible; this is especially true when the patient has potential respiratory
involvement as well (ie, dyspnea, tachypnea). Administer oxygen in a concentration
sufficient to maintain an oxygen saturation of 94% or greater. Aspirin (up to 325 mg) should
also be administered as soon as possible, unless the patient is allergic to it. After applying
oxygen and administering aspirin, you should perform a physical exam and obtain baseline
vital signs. You would inquire about any prescription medications the patient is taking (eg,
NTG) during the SAMPLE history.
You arrive at a residence where you find a man lying unresponsive in his front yard. There
were no witnesses to the event. In assessing this man, you should assume that he:
• A:has a heat-related emergency.
• B:has sustained an injury.
• C:is having a diabetic reaction.
• D:is having a heart attack.
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:
In the absence of any witnesses, you should assume that any patient who is found
unresponsive has an injury until ruled out at the hospital. Apply spinal motion restriction
precautions as needed. Do not be so hasty to label your patient as a "medical" or "trauma"
patient. Many patients have injuries and medical conditions at the same time. For example,
a patient can be driving his or her vehicle, experience a heart attack, and run off the road
and strike a tree.
,Priority treatment for a large avulsion includes:
• A:cleaning the wound.
• B:assessing distal circulation.
• C:immobilizing the injured area.
• D:controlling any bleeding.
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:
Immediate treatment for any soft-tissue injury begins with controlling any external
bleeding. Once the bleeding is controlled, distal circulation, motor, and sensory functions
should be assessed, the wound dressed and bandaged, and then distal circulation, motor,
and sensory functions reassessed. The injured area can be immobilized as well to prevent
further injury and to help reduce bleeding. Generally, open wounds are not cleaned in the
field unless they are grossly contaminated with large debris.
During your initial attempt to ventilate an unresponsive apneic patient, you meet resistance
and do not see the patient's chest rise. You should:
• A:reposition the head and reattempt to ventilate.
• B:begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.
• C:suction the airway for no longer than 15 seconds.
• D:assume that a foreign body is blocking the airway.
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
, If your initial attempt to ventilate a patient is met with resistance and/or does not make the
chest visibly rise, you should reposition the patient's head and reattempt to ventilate. In
many cases, this simple action will open the airway and enable you to ventilate the patient.
However, If both of your breaths are met with resistance and/or do not make the chest
visibly rise, you should assume that a foreign body is obstructing the airway and begin
chest compressions. The airway should be suctioned if secretions are present in the
mouth; if oral secretions are not present, do not suction.
Which of the following patients obviously needs positive-pressure ventilation assistance?
• A:Responsive to pain only; respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and shallow
• B:Combative; respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min and deep
• C:Restless; respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min with adequate tidal volume
• D:Semiconscious; respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min and good chest rise
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
Any patient with a decreased level of consciousness should be assessed for inadequate
breathing (eg, fast or slow respiratory rate, reduced tidal volume [shallow breathing]). Of
the patients listed, the patient who is responsive to pain only and has shallow respirations
of 8 breaths/min clearly needs positive-pressure ventilation assistance. Slow, shallow
respirations will not produce the minute volume needed to support adequate oxygenation
of the blood.
A 56-year-old man has labored, shallow breathing at a rate of 28 breaths/min. He is
responsive to pain only. You should:
• A:insert a nasopharyngeal airway and begin assisting his ventilations.
• B:place him on his side and administer oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
• C:suction his mouth for 15 seconds and insert an oropharyngeal airway.
