Page 1 of 179
WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 REVIEW EXAM LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. Which of the following statements regarding normal gas exchange in the lungs is correct?
A) The oxygen content in the alveoli is highest during the exhalation phase
B) Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar walls and capillaries
C) The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the capillaries
D) Blood that returns to the lungs from the body has low levels of carbon dioxide
Answer: B
Gas exchange occurs by diffusion across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Oxygen moves from
the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli. Both gases
diffuse across the alveolar walls and capillaries.
2. You are ventilating a patient with a stoma; however, air is escaping from the mouth and
nose. To prevent this, you should:
1
, Page 2 of 179
A) Thrust the jaw forward
B) Seal the mouth and nose
C) Ventilate with less pressure
D) Thoroughly suction the stoma
Answer: B
When ventilating a patient with a stoma (tracheostomy), air escaping from the mouth and nose
indicates air is going up the trachea rather than into the lungs. Sealing the mouth and nose
directs air through the stoma and into the lower airway.
3. You are suctioning an adult patient's oropharynx. What is the proper technique?
A) Insert the suction catheter to the level of the carina
B) Suction for no more than 15 seconds at a time
C) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
D) Use a rigid suction catheter for oral suctioning
Answer: B
Suctioning should be limited to 10–15 seconds per pass to prevent hypoxia. The catheter should
2
, Page 3 of 179
be inserted without suction and suction applied during withdrawal. A rigid (tonsil-tip) suction
catheter is used for oral suctioning.
4. Which of the following is the preferred method for opening the airway in an unresponsive
patient with no suspected spinal injury?
A) Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
C) Neck extension
D) Oropharyngeal airway insertion
Answer: A
The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the preferred method for opening the airway in unresponsive
patients without suspected spinal injury. The jaw-thrust maneuver is used when spinal injury is
suspected.
5. Which airway adjunct is contraindicated in a patient with a gag reflex?
3
, Page 4 of 179
A) Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
B) Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B
The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is contraindicated in patients with an intact gag reflex because
it can stimulate vomiting and aspiration. The nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) can be used in
patients with a gag reflex.
6. A patient with a stoma is apneic. You attempt to ventilate with a BVM but feel significant
resistance. What is the most likely cause?
A) The patient is biting the tube
B) The airway is obstructed
C) The patient has a tension pneumothorax
D) The BVM is malfunctioning
Answer: B
Resistance to ventilation in a patient with a stoma suggests airway obstruction. The stoma
4
WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 REVIEW EXAM LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. Which of the following statements regarding normal gas exchange in the lungs is correct?
A) The oxygen content in the alveoli is highest during the exhalation phase
B) Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar walls and capillaries
C) The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the capillaries
D) Blood that returns to the lungs from the body has low levels of carbon dioxide
Answer: B
Gas exchange occurs by diffusion across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Oxygen moves from
the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli. Both gases
diffuse across the alveolar walls and capillaries.
2. You are ventilating a patient with a stoma; however, air is escaping from the mouth and
nose. To prevent this, you should:
1
, Page 2 of 179
A) Thrust the jaw forward
B) Seal the mouth and nose
C) Ventilate with less pressure
D) Thoroughly suction the stoma
Answer: B
When ventilating a patient with a stoma (tracheostomy), air escaping from the mouth and nose
indicates air is going up the trachea rather than into the lungs. Sealing the mouth and nose
directs air through the stoma and into the lower airway.
3. You are suctioning an adult patient's oropharynx. What is the proper technique?
A) Insert the suction catheter to the level of the carina
B) Suction for no more than 15 seconds at a time
C) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
D) Use a rigid suction catheter for oral suctioning
Answer: B
Suctioning should be limited to 10–15 seconds per pass to prevent hypoxia. The catheter should
2
, Page 3 of 179
be inserted without suction and suction applied during withdrawal. A rigid (tonsil-tip) suction
catheter is used for oral suctioning.
4. Which of the following is the preferred method for opening the airway in an unresponsive
patient with no suspected spinal injury?
A) Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
C) Neck extension
D) Oropharyngeal airway insertion
Answer: A
The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the preferred method for opening the airway in unresponsive
patients without suspected spinal injury. The jaw-thrust maneuver is used when spinal injury is
suspected.
5. Which airway adjunct is contraindicated in a patient with a gag reflex?
3
, Page 4 of 179
A) Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
B) Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B
The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is contraindicated in patients with an intact gag reflex because
it can stimulate vomiting and aspiration. The nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) can be used in
patients with a gag reflex.
6. A patient with a stoma is apneic. You attempt to ventilate with a BVM but feel significant
resistance. What is the most likely cause?
A) The patient is biting the tube
B) The airway is obstructed
C) The patient has a tension pneumothorax
D) The BVM is malfunctioning
Answer: B
Resistance to ventilation in a patient with a stoma suggests airway obstruction. The stoma
4
