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West Coast EMT Final Exam Study Guide |
Comprehensive Emergency Medical Technician
Exam Prep
1. You have an AMA patient who is refusing transport. What should you be doing?
A) Leave the scene immediately to avoid confrontation
B) Restrain the patient and transport against their will
C) Ensure the patient is alert and oriented, inform them of risks, and document thoroughly
D) Call law enforcement to force transport
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient refuses care against medical advice, you must first verify they are
alert and oriented (A/O 4x) and capable of making their own decisions. You are legally required
to inform them of all potential risks, including death, and document the refusal thoroughly with
patient signature if possible to protect against liability.
2. All information in a PCR needs to be confidential. Why?
A) To prevent other healthcare providers from accessing the information
B) Patient confidentiality is required by HIPAA regulations
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C) To keep the information secret from the patient's family
D) Because the information is not relevant to other providers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes
national standards to protect sensitive patient health information. PCRs contain protected health
information that must remain confidential, and only those directly involved in patient care or
with proper authorization may access these records.
3. What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
A) A slow heart rate originating from the ventricles
B) A normal heart rhythm with occasional skipped beats
C) An irregularly fast or erratic heartbeat affecting the upper heart chambers
D) A condition where the heart stops beating completely
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid arrhythmia that originates above the
ventricles in the atria or AV node. It causes the heart to beat too quickly, reducing the time for
ventricular filling and potentially compromising cardiac output, leading to symptoms like
palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
4. The physical act of moving air into and out of the lungs is called:
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A) Respiration
B) Ventilation
C) Oxygenation
D) Perfusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs. This
differs from respiration, which is the exchange of gases at the cellular level. Ventilation requires
an open airway, intact chest wall mechanics, and adequate respiratory muscle function.
5. Which of the following is the MOST common cause of airway obstruction in an unresponsive
patient?
A) Foreign body aspiration
B) The tongue
C) Blood or vomit
D) Dental appliances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In an unresponsive patient, loss of muscle tone causes the tongue to fall backward
against the posterior pharynx, creating a mechanical obstruction. This is the most common cause
of airway obstruction in unconscious patients and is typically managed with a head-tilt/chin-lift
or jaw-thrust maneuver to lift the tongue off the airway.
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6. What should a normal patient's capillary refill be?
A) Less than 1 second
B) Less than 2 seconds
C) Less than 3 seconds
D) Less than 5 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds in adults and children. Prolonged
capillary refill indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which may be caused by hypovolemia, shock,
or hypothermia. This assessment is performed by pressing on the nail bed or fingertip and timing
how long it takes for color to return after pressure is released.
7. After you determine a patient is unconscious, what is the next step?
A) Check for a pulse
B) Begin CPR and maintain ABCs
C) Apply oxygen
D) Check blood glucose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After determining a patient is unconscious, immediate priorities are maintaining the
airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Begin CPR if pulseless and provide respiratory
support. CPR cycles should continue with ventilations until advanced life support arrives,
following current guidelines for compression-to-ventilation ratios.
West Coast EMT Final Exam Study Guide |
Comprehensive Emergency Medical Technician
Exam Prep
1. You have an AMA patient who is refusing transport. What should you be doing?
A) Leave the scene immediately to avoid confrontation
B) Restrain the patient and transport against their will
C) Ensure the patient is alert and oriented, inform them of risks, and document thoroughly
D) Call law enforcement to force transport
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient refuses care against medical advice, you must first verify they are
alert and oriented (A/O 4x) and capable of making their own decisions. You are legally required
to inform them of all potential risks, including death, and document the refusal thoroughly with
patient signature if possible to protect against liability.
2. All information in a PCR needs to be confidential. Why?
A) To prevent other healthcare providers from accessing the information
B) Patient confidentiality is required by HIPAA regulations
,2
C) To keep the information secret from the patient's family
D) Because the information is not relevant to other providers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes
national standards to protect sensitive patient health information. PCRs contain protected health
information that must remain confidential, and only those directly involved in patient care or
with proper authorization may access these records.
3. What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
A) A slow heart rate originating from the ventricles
B) A normal heart rhythm with occasional skipped beats
C) An irregularly fast or erratic heartbeat affecting the upper heart chambers
D) A condition where the heart stops beating completely
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid arrhythmia that originates above the
ventricles in the atria or AV node. It causes the heart to beat too quickly, reducing the time for
ventricular filling and potentially compromising cardiac output, leading to symptoms like
palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
4. The physical act of moving air into and out of the lungs is called:
,3
A) Respiration
B) Ventilation
C) Oxygenation
D) Perfusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs. This
differs from respiration, which is the exchange of gases at the cellular level. Ventilation requires
an open airway, intact chest wall mechanics, and adequate respiratory muscle function.
5. Which of the following is the MOST common cause of airway obstruction in an unresponsive
patient?
A) Foreign body aspiration
B) The tongue
C) Blood or vomit
D) Dental appliances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In an unresponsive patient, loss of muscle tone causes the tongue to fall backward
against the posterior pharynx, creating a mechanical obstruction. This is the most common cause
of airway obstruction in unconscious patients and is typically managed with a head-tilt/chin-lift
or jaw-thrust maneuver to lift the tongue off the airway.
, 4
6. What should a normal patient's capillary refill be?
A) Less than 1 second
B) Less than 2 seconds
C) Less than 3 seconds
D) Less than 5 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds in adults and children. Prolonged
capillary refill indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which may be caused by hypovolemia, shock,
or hypothermia. This assessment is performed by pressing on the nail bed or fingertip and timing
how long it takes for color to return after pressure is released.
7. After you determine a patient is unconscious, what is the next step?
A) Check for a pulse
B) Begin CPR and maintain ABCs
C) Apply oxygen
D) Check blood glucose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After determining a patient is unconscious, immediate priorities are maintaining the
airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Begin CPR if pulseless and provide respiratory
support. CPR cycles should continue with ventilations until advanced life support arrives,
following current guidelines for compression-to-ventilation ratios.
