EMT B MIDTERM EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 Edition)
NREMT EMT-Basic Cognitive Blueprint • Prehospital Care
AHA Guidelines • CDC Field Triage • 100 Questions with Answers & Rationale
Format: 100 multiple-choice questions (single best answer, A–D).
Structure: Eight sections spanning airway, cardiology, medical, trauma, special
populations, EMS operations, pharmacology, and integrated scenarios.
Cognitive ~30% recall • ~50% application • ~20% analysis.
levels:
Grading: One point per question; correct answer and rationale provided after each
item.
Content basis: NREMT cognitive exam blueprint, AHA CPR/ECC guidelines, CDC field triage
criteria, and evidence-based prehospital protocols.
Special EMS documentation/legal items (consent, refusal, DNR, mandatory
inclusions: reporting); START triage & MCI items; integrated multi-step scenarios (chest
pain→arrest; head injury+shock; diabetic; anaphylaxis).
Important This is an independent practice exam for educational study; it is not an official
note: NREMT exam.
, Section 1: Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation (15 questions)
Q1: The EMT arrives to find an unresponsive patient with snoring respirations. What is the FIRST
action?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt-chin-lift [CORRECT]
B. Check a pulse
C. Administer oxygen
D. Apply a cervical collar
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: opening the airway is the priority for airway compromise. B, C, and D come after
airway management.
Q2: Which airway adjunct is contraindicated in a patient with a suspected basilar skull fracture or
active gag reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
B. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA) [CORRECT]
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: an OPA requires an absent gag reflex and is contraindicated with a gag. B (NPA) is
used with a gag but contraindicated in basilar skull fracture. C and D are not airway adjuncts.
Q3: A patient with an intact gag reflex but a partially obstructed airway needs an airway adjunct.
Which is appropriate?
A. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
B. Endotracheal tube
C. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) [CORRECT]
D. Bag-valve mask only without adjunct
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A is correct: the NPA is used when the gag reflex is present. B (OPA) requires no gag; C is
advanced; D alone may be insufficient.
Q4: Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of oxygen (up to 90-95%)?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A is correct: a non-rebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen. B delivers low flow; C and
D deliver less.
Q5: A patient who is breathing adequately and requires oxygen should receive how many L/min via
nasal cannula?
A. 1-6 L/min [CORRECT]
B. 10-15 L/min
C. 15 L/min minimum
D. 0 L/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: a nasal cannula delivers 1-6 L/min. B and C are higher-flow devices; D is incorrect.
EMT B Midterm Exam – Comprehensive Practice (2026/2027) Page 2
, Q6: Which is the correct ventilation rate for an adult with a bag-valve mask (BVM)?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds (30/min)
B. 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (about 10-12/min) [CORRECT]
C. 20 breaths every minute
D. No set rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: adult BVM ventilation is about 10-12 breaths/min (1 every 5-6 s). B and C are too fast;
D is incorrect.
Q7: For an adult in cardiac arrest with an advanced airway, the recommended ventilation rate is:
A. 2 breaths every 30 seconds
B. 30 breaths per minute
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) [CORRECT]
D. No ventilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A is correct: with an advanced airway, ventilate 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min). B, C, and D
are incorrect.
Q8: Which is an indication for CPAP in an awake patient with severe respiratory distress?
A. An unconscious patient
B. A patient who cannot protect the airway
C. A patient in cardiac arrest
D. Acute pulmonary edema with adequate mentation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A is correct: CPAP is for awake patients with respiratory distress (e.g., pulmonary edema). B, C,
and D are contraindications.
Q9: Which is a contraindication to CPAP?
A. An unresponsive patient or one who cannot protect the airway [CORRECT]
B. An awake patient with crackles
C. A patient with mild dyspnea
D. A patient with bronchospasm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: an unresponsive patient or one who cannot protect the airway is a CPAP
contraindication. B, C, and D are not.
Q10: A patient has copious secretions in the airway and needs suctioning. What is the maximum
suction time for an adult?
A. 30-45 seconds
B. 10-15 seconds [CORRECT]
C. 60 seconds
D. No limit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: suction for no more than 10-15 seconds in an adult. B, C, and D are too long and
cause hypoxia.
EMT B Midterm Exam – Comprehensive Practice (2026/2027) Page 3
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 Edition)
NREMT EMT-Basic Cognitive Blueprint • Prehospital Care
AHA Guidelines • CDC Field Triage • 100 Questions with Answers & Rationale
Format: 100 multiple-choice questions (single best answer, A–D).
Structure: Eight sections spanning airway, cardiology, medical, trauma, special
populations, EMS operations, pharmacology, and integrated scenarios.
Cognitive ~30% recall • ~50% application • ~20% analysis.
levels:
Grading: One point per question; correct answer and rationale provided after each
item.
Content basis: NREMT cognitive exam blueprint, AHA CPR/ECC guidelines, CDC field triage
criteria, and evidence-based prehospital protocols.
Special EMS documentation/legal items (consent, refusal, DNR, mandatory
inclusions: reporting); START triage & MCI items; integrated multi-step scenarios (chest
pain→arrest; head injury+shock; diabetic; anaphylaxis).
Important This is an independent practice exam for educational study; it is not an official
note: NREMT exam.
, Section 1: Airway, Respiration, & Ventilation (15 questions)
Q1: The EMT arrives to find an unresponsive patient with snoring respirations. What is the FIRST
action?
A. Open the airway with a head-tilt-chin-lift [CORRECT]
B. Check a pulse
C. Administer oxygen
D. Apply a cervical collar
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: opening the airway is the priority for airway compromise. B, C, and D come after
airway management.
Q2: Which airway adjunct is contraindicated in a patient with a suspected basilar skull fracture or
active gag reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
B. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA) [CORRECT]
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: an OPA requires an absent gag reflex and is contraindicated with a gag. B (NPA) is
used with a gag but contraindicated in basilar skull fracture. C and D are not airway adjuncts.
Q3: A patient with an intact gag reflex but a partially obstructed airway needs an airway adjunct.
Which is appropriate?
A. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
B. Endotracheal tube
C. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) [CORRECT]
D. Bag-valve mask only without adjunct
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A is correct: the NPA is used when the gag reflex is present. B (OPA) requires no gag; C is
advanced; D alone may be insufficient.
Q4: Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of oxygen (up to 90-95%)?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A is correct: a non-rebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen. B delivers low flow; C and
D deliver less.
Q5: A patient who is breathing adequately and requires oxygen should receive how many L/min via
nasal cannula?
A. 1-6 L/min [CORRECT]
B. 10-15 L/min
C. 15 L/min minimum
D. 0 L/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: a nasal cannula delivers 1-6 L/min. B and C are higher-flow devices; D is incorrect.
EMT B Midterm Exam – Comprehensive Practice (2026/2027) Page 2
, Q6: Which is the correct ventilation rate for an adult with a bag-valve mask (BVM)?
A. 1 breath every 2 seconds (30/min)
B. 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (about 10-12/min) [CORRECT]
C. 20 breaths every minute
D. No set rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: adult BVM ventilation is about 10-12 breaths/min (1 every 5-6 s). B and C are too fast;
D is incorrect.
Q7: For an adult in cardiac arrest with an advanced airway, the recommended ventilation rate is:
A. 2 breaths every 30 seconds
B. 30 breaths per minute
C. 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min) [CORRECT]
D. No ventilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A is correct: with an advanced airway, ventilate 1 breath every 6 seconds (10/min). B, C, and D
are incorrect.
Q8: Which is an indication for CPAP in an awake patient with severe respiratory distress?
A. An unconscious patient
B. A patient who cannot protect the airway
C. A patient in cardiac arrest
D. Acute pulmonary edema with adequate mentation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A is correct: CPAP is for awake patients with respiratory distress (e.g., pulmonary edema). B, C,
and D are contraindications.
Q9: Which is a contraindication to CPAP?
A. An unresponsive patient or one who cannot protect the airway [CORRECT]
B. An awake patient with crackles
C. A patient with mild dyspnea
D. A patient with bronchospasm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A is correct: an unresponsive patient or one who cannot protect the airway is a CPAP
contraindication. B, C, and D are not.
Q10: A patient has copious secretions in the airway and needs suctioning. What is the maximum
suction time for an adult?
A. 30-45 seconds
B. 10-15 seconds [CORRECT]
C. 60 seconds
D. No limit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A is correct: suction for no more than 10-15 seconds in an adult. B, C, and D are too long and
cause hypoxia.
EMT B Midterm Exam – Comprehensive Practice (2026/2027) Page 3
