National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians (NREMT) Emergency
Medical Responder Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. During the primary assessment of an unresponsive trauma patient, you find
they have a palpable pulse but are not breathing. Your immediate action
should be to
A) Insert an oral airway and begin chest compressions
B) Provide two rescue breaths with a bag-valve mask and attach oxygen
C) Open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver and provide ventilations
D) Place the patient in the recovery position and reassess breathing
Answer: C
Rationale: For an unresponsive trauma patient with a pulse but no breathing,
the priority is to open the airway using a jaw-thrust (to protect the cervical
spine) and provide positive pressure ventilations. Chest compressions are only
initiated if the patient is pulseless. The recovery position is for breathing
patients. Inserting an airway without ensuring a patent opening and ventilation
is incomplete, and bagging without an open airway is ineffective.
2. You are called to a residence for a 45-year-old male complaining of severe
crushing chest pain that radiates to his left arm. He appears anxious and
diaphoretic. After ensuring scene safety and performing a primary
, assessment, the most appropriate medication to assist with is
A) Nitroglycerin spray
B) Aspirin (300 mg)
C) Oral glucose gel
D) Albuterol inhaler
Answer: B
Rationale: For suspected cardiac chest pain, EMRs are typically permitted to
assist the patient in taking aspirin (unless contraindicated) to reduce platelet
aggregation and improve outcomes. Nitroglycerin requires a prescription and
specific protocols; it is not within the standard EMR scope to administer without
medical direction and patient history. Oral glucose is for hypoglycemia, and
albuterol is for respiratory distress with bronchospasm.
3. While responding to a motor vehicle collision, you observe a vehicle resting
on its side with visible fuel leakage. A patient inside is screaming for help.
Your first priority at this scene is to
A) Quickly extricate the patient to a safe zone
B) Turn off the vehicle's ignition to prevent fire
C) Establish scene safety and ensure no immediate hazards to the crew
D) Perform a rapid trauma assessment through the window
Answer: C
Rationale: The absolute first priority for any EMS response is scene safety. The
EMR must ensure the scene is safe for themselves, the team, and the patient
before attempting any patient care. Fuel leakage and unstable vehicle position
are significant hazards. Turning off the ignition without assessing the scene
could be dangerous, and performing an assessment or extrication before the
scene is secure violates fundamental safety principles.
4. A 4-year-old child is choking on a small toy. She is conscious and making
high-pitched sounds but is unable to cough effectively. You should
A) Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
B) Perform back slaps and chest thrusts
C) Perform 5 back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts, checking for
, obstruction after each
D) Insert a finger sweep to remove the object
Answer: C
Rationale: For a conscious choking child (over 1 year), the standard sequence is 5
back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts (or abdominal thrusts in older children).
However, the NREMT EMR guidelines prioritize back slaps and chest thrusts for
pediatric patients, using abdominal thrusts only if back slaps fail and the child is
over 1 year. Finger sweeps are contraindicated because they may push the
object deeper. The correct sequence is back slaps then chest thrusts.
5. A 70-year-old female presents with sudden onset of severe headache,
vomiting, and left-sided facial droop. She has a history of hypertension.
These findings are most consistent with
A) A seizure disorder
B) Hypoglycemia
C) A cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
D) A transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Answer: C
Rationale: The sudden onset of a severe headache, vomiting, and focal
neurological deficits (facial droop) in a hypertensive elderly patient strongly
suggests an acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. A TIA presents with
temporary symptoms, but the severity and vomiting point to a completed stroke.
Seizures often involve tonic-clonic activity, and hypoglycemia presents with
altered mentation but rarely with isolated facial droop and severe headache.
6. You are assessing a patient with difficulty breathing. You auscultate lung
sounds and hear wheezing in all fields. The patient has a history of asthma
and has used their inhaler twice without relief. The EMR's most appropriate
action is to
A) Position the patient supine with legs elevated
B) Assist the patient with their prescribed albuterol inhaler if allowed by
protocol and provide oxygen
, C) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min and transport immediately
D) Have the patient breathe into a paper bag to reduce hyperventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: For an asthma exacerbation not relieved by the patient's own inhaler,
the EMR may assist the patient with their prescribed bronchodilator (albuterol)
if local protocols permit, while simultaneously providing supplemental oxygen to
correct hypoxemia. Supine positioning worsens respiratory effort. Breathing into
a paper bag is dangerous for hypoxia. A non-rebreather alone does not address
the bronchospasm.
7. In a patient with suspected internal bleeding following a fall, which of the
following is the most reliable early sign of shock?
A) A drop in blood pressure
B) Tachycardia and delayed capillary refill
C) Profuse diaphoresis
D) Altered mental status
Answer: B
Rationale: In the early stages of hypovolemic shock, the body compensates via
the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia and peripheral
vasoconstriction (delayed capillary refill). Blood pressure typically remains
normal until late in shock, making it an unreliable early sign. Diaphoresis and
altered mental status can occur but are later signs or less specific. Tachycardia
with poor peripheral perfusion is the key early indicator.
8. You arrive at a scene where a bystander is performing CPR on an adult
patient. The bystander says they found the patient unresponsive and not
breathing. You should
A) Immediately take over CPR and check for a pulse
B) Ask the bystander to stop, then check for a pulse for 10 seconds
C) Assess the patient's breathing and pulse, and if absent, continue high-
quality CPR with an AED
D) Verify the patient's airway is patent before continuing
Technicians (NREMT) Emergency
Medical Responder Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. During the primary assessment of an unresponsive trauma patient, you find
they have a palpable pulse but are not breathing. Your immediate action
should be to
A) Insert an oral airway and begin chest compressions
B) Provide two rescue breaths with a bag-valve mask and attach oxygen
C) Open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver and provide ventilations
D) Place the patient in the recovery position and reassess breathing
Answer: C
Rationale: For an unresponsive trauma patient with a pulse but no breathing,
the priority is to open the airway using a jaw-thrust (to protect the cervical
spine) and provide positive pressure ventilations. Chest compressions are only
initiated if the patient is pulseless. The recovery position is for breathing
patients. Inserting an airway without ensuring a patent opening and ventilation
is incomplete, and bagging without an open airway is ineffective.
2. You are called to a residence for a 45-year-old male complaining of severe
crushing chest pain that radiates to his left arm. He appears anxious and
diaphoretic. After ensuring scene safety and performing a primary
, assessment, the most appropriate medication to assist with is
A) Nitroglycerin spray
B) Aspirin (300 mg)
C) Oral glucose gel
D) Albuterol inhaler
Answer: B
Rationale: For suspected cardiac chest pain, EMRs are typically permitted to
assist the patient in taking aspirin (unless contraindicated) to reduce platelet
aggregation and improve outcomes. Nitroglycerin requires a prescription and
specific protocols; it is not within the standard EMR scope to administer without
medical direction and patient history. Oral glucose is for hypoglycemia, and
albuterol is for respiratory distress with bronchospasm.
3. While responding to a motor vehicle collision, you observe a vehicle resting
on its side with visible fuel leakage. A patient inside is screaming for help.
Your first priority at this scene is to
A) Quickly extricate the patient to a safe zone
B) Turn off the vehicle's ignition to prevent fire
C) Establish scene safety and ensure no immediate hazards to the crew
D) Perform a rapid trauma assessment through the window
Answer: C
Rationale: The absolute first priority for any EMS response is scene safety. The
EMR must ensure the scene is safe for themselves, the team, and the patient
before attempting any patient care. Fuel leakage and unstable vehicle position
are significant hazards. Turning off the ignition without assessing the scene
could be dangerous, and performing an assessment or extrication before the
scene is secure violates fundamental safety principles.
4. A 4-year-old child is choking on a small toy. She is conscious and making
high-pitched sounds but is unable to cough effectively. You should
A) Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
B) Perform back slaps and chest thrusts
C) Perform 5 back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts, checking for
, obstruction after each
D) Insert a finger sweep to remove the object
Answer: C
Rationale: For a conscious choking child (over 1 year), the standard sequence is 5
back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts (or abdominal thrusts in older children).
However, the NREMT EMR guidelines prioritize back slaps and chest thrusts for
pediatric patients, using abdominal thrusts only if back slaps fail and the child is
over 1 year. Finger sweeps are contraindicated because they may push the
object deeper. The correct sequence is back slaps then chest thrusts.
5. A 70-year-old female presents with sudden onset of severe headache,
vomiting, and left-sided facial droop. She has a history of hypertension.
These findings are most consistent with
A) A seizure disorder
B) Hypoglycemia
C) A cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
D) A transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Answer: C
Rationale: The sudden onset of a severe headache, vomiting, and focal
neurological deficits (facial droop) in a hypertensive elderly patient strongly
suggests an acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. A TIA presents with
temporary symptoms, but the severity and vomiting point to a completed stroke.
Seizures often involve tonic-clonic activity, and hypoglycemia presents with
altered mentation but rarely with isolated facial droop and severe headache.
6. You are assessing a patient with difficulty breathing. You auscultate lung
sounds and hear wheezing in all fields. The patient has a history of asthma
and has used their inhaler twice without relief. The EMR's most appropriate
action is to
A) Position the patient supine with legs elevated
B) Assist the patient with their prescribed albuterol inhaler if allowed by
protocol and provide oxygen
, C) Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min and transport immediately
D) Have the patient breathe into a paper bag to reduce hyperventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: For an asthma exacerbation not relieved by the patient's own inhaler,
the EMR may assist the patient with their prescribed bronchodilator (albuterol)
if local protocols permit, while simultaneously providing supplemental oxygen to
correct hypoxemia. Supine positioning worsens respiratory effort. Breathing into
a paper bag is dangerous for hypoxia. A non-rebreather alone does not address
the bronchospasm.
7. In a patient with suspected internal bleeding following a fall, which of the
following is the most reliable early sign of shock?
A) A drop in blood pressure
B) Tachycardia and delayed capillary refill
C) Profuse diaphoresis
D) Altered mental status
Answer: B
Rationale: In the early stages of hypovolemic shock, the body compensates via
the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia and peripheral
vasoconstriction (delayed capillary refill). Blood pressure typically remains
normal until late in shock, making it an unreliable early sign. Diaphoresis and
altered mental status can occur but are later signs or less specific. Tachycardia
with poor peripheral perfusion is the key early indicator.
8. You arrive at a scene where a bystander is performing CPR on an adult
patient. The bystander says they found the patient unresponsive and not
breathing. You should
A) Immediately take over CPR and check for a pulse
B) Ask the bystander to stop, then check for a pulse for 10 seconds
C) Assess the patient's breathing and pulse, and if absent, continue high-
quality CPR with an AED
D) Verify the patient's airway is patent before continuing
