EMT FISDAP Trauma Exam Complete Study Guide | Registry-
Style NREMT Practice Test
Ace your national assessment with this comprehensive FISDAP Trauma Exam study
guide engineered for EMT students. This high-yield packet breaks down critical registry-
style scenarios, including progressive bleeding control, chest trauma interventions, head
injury indicators, and shock management. Download these review notes now to master
life-saving primary surveys, pass your FISDAP exam on the first attempt, and
confidently secure your NREMT certification.
Question 1
An EMT responds to a high-speed motor vehicle crash. The driver struck the steering
wheel with their chest. The patient presents with paradoxical chest wall movement,
severe dyspnea, and localized crepitus. Which of the following is the priority
intervention?
A) Wrap a tight elastic bandage completely around the thoracic cage
B) Provide positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask and high-flow
oxygen
C) Place the patient on a backboard and apply a cervical collar immediately
D) Assist the patient in using a prescribed albuterol rescue inhaler
Rationale: Paradoxical chest movement indicates a flail chest, which severely disrupts
intrathoracic pressure and ventilation. The priority intervention is providing positive-
pressure ventilation (PPV) via a bag-valve mask to stabilize the chest wall internally and
reverse hypoxia.
Question 2
A 24-year-old male sustained a penetrating stab wound to the left side of the chest. He
is conscious but highly anxious, with absent breath sounds on the left, jugular venous
distension (JVD), and a narrowing pulse pressure. What condition should the EMT
suspect?
A) Simple pneumothorax
B) Tension pneumothorax
,C) Massive hemothorax
D) Isolated flail segment
Rationale: A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency where air
accumulates in the pleural space, compressing the lungs and great vessels. Classic
diagnostic indicators include absent breath sounds on the affected side, JVD, and signs
of obstructive shock.
Question 3
An EMT is treating an open, sucking chest wound caused by a gunshot. After applying a
non-porous occlusive dressing taped on three sides, the patient's respiratory distress
rapidly worsens. Which action should the EMT take first?
A) Apply a second occlusive dressing directly over the first layer
B) Lift one corner of the occlusive dressing during exhalation to vent the wound
C) Increase the manual ventilation rate using a bag-valve mask device
D) Assist the patient into a prone position to compress the injury site
Rationale: If a patient's condition deteriorates after an open chest wound is sealed, air
may be trapping inside, converting it into a tension pneumothorax. Lifting a corner of the
dressing ("burping" it) allows the trapped air pressure to escape.
Question 4
A 45-year-old female was involved in a head-on collision. She presents with muffled
heart tones, jugular venous distension, and severe, dropping hypotension. The EMT
should recognize these signs as indicating which clinical entity?
A) Cushing's triad
B) Beck's triad
C) Commotio cordis
D) Blast injury syndrome
Rationale: Beck's triad consists of muffled heart tones, JVD, and hypotension. It is the
classic clinical indicator for cardiac tamponade, an obstructive shock state caused by
blood accumulating within the pericardial sac.
Question 5
An EMT arrives at a logging site where a worker has suffered an amputation of the right
lower leg. Bright red, spurting blood is heavily flowing from the wound. Direct pressure
fails to halt the bleeding. What is the next immediate step?
A) Pack the wound cavity with a hemostatic gauze wrap
B) Apply a commercial tourniquet proximal to the injury site until bleeding stops
C) Elevate the leg above the level of the heart for five minutes
D) Locate and apply firm pressure to the femoral artery pressure point
,Rationale: For life-threatening, arterial extremity bleeding that cannot be controlled by
direct pressure, the immediate next step is the application of a high and tight
commercial tourniquet.
Question 6
A patient has sustained deep partial-thickness burns to the entire anterior chest, entire
anterior abdomen, and the front of both legs. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the
estimated total body surface area (TBSA) burned?
A) 18%
B) 27%
C) 36%
D) 45%
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines: Anterior chest is 9%, anterior abdomen is
9%, and the front of each leg is 9% (18% total for both legs). Adding these together (\(9
+ 9 + 18\)) yields 36%.
Question 7
A 19-year-old male fell 20 feet from a scaffold. He is responsive only to painful stimuli,
presents with diaphragmatic breathing, and has a blood pressure of 82/60 mmHg with a
heart rate of 68 beats per minute. His skin is warm and dry. What type of shock is this
patient experiencing?
A) Hypovolemic shock
B) Cardiogenic shock
C) Neurogenic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is a form of distributive shock caused by spinal cord injury.
It disrupts the sympathetic nervous system, leading to widespread vasodilation, which
presents as hypotension with a normal or slow heart rate (bradycardia) and warm, dry
skin.
Question 8
An EMT is assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury. The patient presents with
an escalating blood pressure, a slowing pulse rate, and irregular respirations. How
should the EMT document this triad of signs?
A) Beck's triad
B) Cushing's triad
C) Virchow's triad
D) Glasgow coma scale index
Rationale: Cushing's triad consists of bradycardia, hypertension (often with a widening
pulse pressure), and irregular respirations (Cheyne-Stokes). It indicates significantly
increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and impending brain herniation.
, Question 9
An alert 30-year-old female was ejected from a motorcycle. She has an open femur
fracture with stable bleeding, a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a strong
radial pulse of 92 beats per minute. How should this patient be categorized during a
mass casualty triage scenario using the START method?
A) Delayed (Yellow)
B) Immediate (Red)
C) Minor (Green)
D) Deceased (Black)
Rationale: Under the START triage system, the patient can follow commands, has a
respiratory rate under 30, and a radial pulse present. Despite the severe injury (open
femur fracture), she is categorized as Yellow (Delayed) because her vital functions are
currently stable.
Question 10
A patient has an open abdominal injury with loops of bowel protruding through the
wound cover. Which of the following methods is the correct way to manage this
abdominal eviscertion?
A) Gently push the protruding organs back inside the abdominal cavity
B) Cover the organs with a moist, sterile dressing, followed by an occlusive
dressing
C) Apply a dry, sterile thick trauma dressing tightly secured with tape
D) Leave the wound completely exposed to the air to prevent localized pressure
Rationale: Protruding organs must never be forced back into the abdomen. The correct
management is to cover them with a sterile dressing moistened with saline to prevent
drying, and then apply an occlusive layer to retain heat.
Question 11
Which phase of a blast injury is responsible for causing hollow organ ruptures, such as
tympanic membrane rupture or alveolar damage, via a pressure wave?
A) Primary blast injury
B) Secondary blast injury
C) Tertiary blast injury
D) Quaternary blast injury
Rationale: Primary blast injuries are caused exclusively by the direct pressure wave of
the explosion acting on hollow, air-filled organs like the ears, lungs, and gastrointestinal
tract.
Question 12
An EMT is managing a patient who was struck by flying shrapnel and debris following
an explosion. This type of trauma is classified as which of the following?
Style NREMT Practice Test
Ace your national assessment with this comprehensive FISDAP Trauma Exam study
guide engineered for EMT students. This high-yield packet breaks down critical registry-
style scenarios, including progressive bleeding control, chest trauma interventions, head
injury indicators, and shock management. Download these review notes now to master
life-saving primary surveys, pass your FISDAP exam on the first attempt, and
confidently secure your NREMT certification.
Question 1
An EMT responds to a high-speed motor vehicle crash. The driver struck the steering
wheel with their chest. The patient presents with paradoxical chest wall movement,
severe dyspnea, and localized crepitus. Which of the following is the priority
intervention?
A) Wrap a tight elastic bandage completely around the thoracic cage
B) Provide positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask and high-flow
oxygen
C) Place the patient on a backboard and apply a cervical collar immediately
D) Assist the patient in using a prescribed albuterol rescue inhaler
Rationale: Paradoxical chest movement indicates a flail chest, which severely disrupts
intrathoracic pressure and ventilation. The priority intervention is providing positive-
pressure ventilation (PPV) via a bag-valve mask to stabilize the chest wall internally and
reverse hypoxia.
Question 2
A 24-year-old male sustained a penetrating stab wound to the left side of the chest. He
is conscious but highly anxious, with absent breath sounds on the left, jugular venous
distension (JVD), and a narrowing pulse pressure. What condition should the EMT
suspect?
A) Simple pneumothorax
B) Tension pneumothorax
,C) Massive hemothorax
D) Isolated flail segment
Rationale: A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency where air
accumulates in the pleural space, compressing the lungs and great vessels. Classic
diagnostic indicators include absent breath sounds on the affected side, JVD, and signs
of obstructive shock.
Question 3
An EMT is treating an open, sucking chest wound caused by a gunshot. After applying a
non-porous occlusive dressing taped on three sides, the patient's respiratory distress
rapidly worsens. Which action should the EMT take first?
A) Apply a second occlusive dressing directly over the first layer
B) Lift one corner of the occlusive dressing during exhalation to vent the wound
C) Increase the manual ventilation rate using a bag-valve mask device
D) Assist the patient into a prone position to compress the injury site
Rationale: If a patient's condition deteriorates after an open chest wound is sealed, air
may be trapping inside, converting it into a tension pneumothorax. Lifting a corner of the
dressing ("burping" it) allows the trapped air pressure to escape.
Question 4
A 45-year-old female was involved in a head-on collision. She presents with muffled
heart tones, jugular venous distension, and severe, dropping hypotension. The EMT
should recognize these signs as indicating which clinical entity?
A) Cushing's triad
B) Beck's triad
C) Commotio cordis
D) Blast injury syndrome
Rationale: Beck's triad consists of muffled heart tones, JVD, and hypotension. It is the
classic clinical indicator for cardiac tamponade, an obstructive shock state caused by
blood accumulating within the pericardial sac.
Question 5
An EMT arrives at a logging site where a worker has suffered an amputation of the right
lower leg. Bright red, spurting blood is heavily flowing from the wound. Direct pressure
fails to halt the bleeding. What is the next immediate step?
A) Pack the wound cavity with a hemostatic gauze wrap
B) Apply a commercial tourniquet proximal to the injury site until bleeding stops
C) Elevate the leg above the level of the heart for five minutes
D) Locate and apply firm pressure to the femoral artery pressure point
,Rationale: For life-threatening, arterial extremity bleeding that cannot be controlled by
direct pressure, the immediate next step is the application of a high and tight
commercial tourniquet.
Question 6
A patient has sustained deep partial-thickness burns to the entire anterior chest, entire
anterior abdomen, and the front of both legs. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the
estimated total body surface area (TBSA) burned?
A) 18%
B) 27%
C) 36%
D) 45%
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines: Anterior chest is 9%, anterior abdomen is
9%, and the front of each leg is 9% (18% total for both legs). Adding these together (\(9
+ 9 + 18\)) yields 36%.
Question 7
A 19-year-old male fell 20 feet from a scaffold. He is responsive only to painful stimuli,
presents with diaphragmatic breathing, and has a blood pressure of 82/60 mmHg with a
heart rate of 68 beats per minute. His skin is warm and dry. What type of shock is this
patient experiencing?
A) Hypovolemic shock
B) Cardiogenic shock
C) Neurogenic shock
D) Anaphylactic shock
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is a form of distributive shock caused by spinal cord injury.
It disrupts the sympathetic nervous system, leading to widespread vasodilation, which
presents as hypotension with a normal or slow heart rate (bradycardia) and warm, dry
skin.
Question 8
An EMT is assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury. The patient presents with
an escalating blood pressure, a slowing pulse rate, and irregular respirations. How
should the EMT document this triad of signs?
A) Beck's triad
B) Cushing's triad
C) Virchow's triad
D) Glasgow coma scale index
Rationale: Cushing's triad consists of bradycardia, hypertension (often with a widening
pulse pressure), and irregular respirations (Cheyne-Stokes). It indicates significantly
increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and impending brain herniation.
, Question 9
An alert 30-year-old female was ejected from a motorcycle. She has an open femur
fracture with stable bleeding, a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a strong
radial pulse of 92 beats per minute. How should this patient be categorized during a
mass casualty triage scenario using the START method?
A) Delayed (Yellow)
B) Immediate (Red)
C) Minor (Green)
D) Deceased (Black)
Rationale: Under the START triage system, the patient can follow commands, has a
respiratory rate under 30, and a radial pulse present. Despite the severe injury (open
femur fracture), she is categorized as Yellow (Delayed) because her vital functions are
currently stable.
Question 10
A patient has an open abdominal injury with loops of bowel protruding through the
wound cover. Which of the following methods is the correct way to manage this
abdominal eviscertion?
A) Gently push the protruding organs back inside the abdominal cavity
B) Cover the organs with a moist, sterile dressing, followed by an occlusive
dressing
C) Apply a dry, sterile thick trauma dressing tightly secured with tape
D) Leave the wound completely exposed to the air to prevent localized pressure
Rationale: Protruding organs must never be forced back into the abdomen. The correct
management is to cover them with a sterile dressing moistened with saline to prevent
drying, and then apply an occlusive layer to retain heat.
Question 11
Which phase of a blast injury is responsible for causing hollow organ ruptures, such as
tympanic membrane rupture or alveolar damage, via a pressure wave?
A) Primary blast injury
B) Secondary blast injury
C) Tertiary blast injury
D) Quaternary blast injury
Rationale: Primary blast injuries are caused exclusively by the direct pressure wave of
the explosion acting on hollow, air-filled organs like the ears, lungs, and gastrointestinal
tract.
Question 12
An EMT is managing a patient who was struck by flying shrapnel and debris following
an explosion. This type of trauma is classified as which of the following?
