EMT EXAM PREP COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS –
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & RATIONALES 2026
Question 1: A patient with severe respiratory distress has a SpO₂ of 82% on
a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min. The EMT notes the patient is using
accessory muscles and has diminished breath sounds. Which of the
following is the MOST appropriate next action?
A) Switch to a nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B) Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
C) Administer albuterol via nebulizer
D) Intubate the patient immediately
Correct Answer: B) Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Rationale: This patient is in severe respiratory distress with hypoxemia
refractory to high-flow oxygen. CPAP is indicated for patients with respiratory
distress due to conditions like pulmonary edema, COPD, or asthma who are
not improving with oxygen alone. It provides positive pressure to keep alveoli
open and improve oxygenation. Intubation is the next step if CPAP fails or the
patient deteriorates.
Question 2: Which of the following patients would benefit MOST from the
use of CPAP?
A) A patient with a tension pneumothorax
B) A patient with severe asthma who is not improving with albuterol
C) A patient with a sucking chest wound
D) A patient with a head injury and altered mental status
,Correct Answer: B) A patient with severe asthma who is not improving
with albuterol
Rationale: CPAP is beneficial for patients with severe asthma, COPD,
pulmonary edema, and other conditions causing respiratory distress. It is
contraindicated in tension pneumothorax (A), sucking chest wounds (C), and
patients who cannot protect their airway (D).
Question 3: The normal value for end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) in a
healthy adult is:
A) 25-30 mmHg
B) 35-45 mmHg
C) 45-55 mmHg
D) 55-65 mmHg
Correct Answer: B) 35-45 mmHg
Rationale: Normal EtCO₂ (capnography) is 35-45 mmHg. Values below 35
indicate hyperventilation or inadequate perfusion. Values above 45 indicate
hypoventilation or CO₂ retention. Capnography is also used to confirm proper
endotracheal tube placement.
Question 4: A patient with a history of COPD who is receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula at 2 L/min has an SpO₂ of 92%. The EMT should:
A) Increase the oxygen to 4 L/min
B) Decrease the oxygen to 1 L/min
C) Maintain the current oxygen flow rate
D) Switch to a non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C) Maintain the current oxygen flow rate
,Rationale: For COPD patients, oxygen should be titrated to achieve an SpO₂
of 88-92%. Higher oxygen levels can suppress the hypoxic drive and lead to
respiratory depression. An SpO₂ of 92% is within the target range, so the
current flow rate should be maintained.
Question 5: The proper placement of a King LT airway is confirmed by:
A) Visualizing the vocal cords
B) Auscultating breath sounds and observing chest rise
C) Measuring EtCO₂
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both B and C
Rationale: King LT airway placement is confirmed by auscultating bilateral
breath sounds, observing chest rise, and using EtCO₂ monitoring. The King LT
is a supraglottic airway device that does not require visualization of the vocal
cords. EtCO₂ provides the most definitive confirmation of proper placement.
Question 6: A patient with a suspected opioid overdose has a respiratory
rate of 6 breaths per minute and is unresponsive. After opening the airway
and providing ventilations, the EMT should:
A) Administer naloxone intranasally
B) Administer naloxone intramuscularly
C) Administer naloxone via endotracheal tube
D) Both A and B are appropriate routes
Correct Answer: D) Both A and B are appropriate routes
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) can be administered intranasally (IN) or
intramuscularly (IM) by EMTs. IN administration is preferred when IV access is
, not available. The dose for IN is typically 2 mg, and for IM is 0.4-2 mg.
Ventilation should be maintained while waiting for the medication to take
effect.
Question 7: The EMT should suction a patient's airway for no longer than:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10-15 seconds
C) 20-25 seconds
D) 30-45 seconds
Correct Answer: B) 10-15 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds at a time to prevent
hypoxia. The patient should be preoxygenated before suctioning, and
suctioning should be interrupted to allow the patient to breathe. Suctioning
for longer periods can cause hypoxia, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest.
Question 8: The correct size of a nasopharyngeal airway for an adult
female is typically:
A) 24 French
B) 26 French
C) 28 French
D) 30 French
Correct Answer: C) 28 French
Rationale: NPA sizes range from 20-36 French. A 28 French (or 7.0 mm) is
typically appropriate for an adult female. Adult males typically require a 30-
34 French (or 7.5-8.0 mm). The NPA is measured from the tip of the nose to
the earlobe.
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & RATIONALES 2026
Question 1: A patient with severe respiratory distress has a SpO₂ of 82% on
a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min. The EMT notes the patient is using
accessory muscles and has diminished breath sounds. Which of the
following is the MOST appropriate next action?
A) Switch to a nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B) Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
C) Administer albuterol via nebulizer
D) Intubate the patient immediately
Correct Answer: B) Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Rationale: This patient is in severe respiratory distress with hypoxemia
refractory to high-flow oxygen. CPAP is indicated for patients with respiratory
distress due to conditions like pulmonary edema, COPD, or asthma who are
not improving with oxygen alone. It provides positive pressure to keep alveoli
open and improve oxygenation. Intubation is the next step if CPAP fails or the
patient deteriorates.
Question 2: Which of the following patients would benefit MOST from the
use of CPAP?
A) A patient with a tension pneumothorax
B) A patient with severe asthma who is not improving with albuterol
C) A patient with a sucking chest wound
D) A patient with a head injury and altered mental status
,Correct Answer: B) A patient with severe asthma who is not improving
with albuterol
Rationale: CPAP is beneficial for patients with severe asthma, COPD,
pulmonary edema, and other conditions causing respiratory distress. It is
contraindicated in tension pneumothorax (A), sucking chest wounds (C), and
patients who cannot protect their airway (D).
Question 3: The normal value for end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) in a
healthy adult is:
A) 25-30 mmHg
B) 35-45 mmHg
C) 45-55 mmHg
D) 55-65 mmHg
Correct Answer: B) 35-45 mmHg
Rationale: Normal EtCO₂ (capnography) is 35-45 mmHg. Values below 35
indicate hyperventilation or inadequate perfusion. Values above 45 indicate
hypoventilation or CO₂ retention. Capnography is also used to confirm proper
endotracheal tube placement.
Question 4: A patient with a history of COPD who is receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula at 2 L/min has an SpO₂ of 92%. The EMT should:
A) Increase the oxygen to 4 L/min
B) Decrease the oxygen to 1 L/min
C) Maintain the current oxygen flow rate
D) Switch to a non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C) Maintain the current oxygen flow rate
,Rationale: For COPD patients, oxygen should be titrated to achieve an SpO₂
of 88-92%. Higher oxygen levels can suppress the hypoxic drive and lead to
respiratory depression. An SpO₂ of 92% is within the target range, so the
current flow rate should be maintained.
Question 5: The proper placement of a King LT airway is confirmed by:
A) Visualizing the vocal cords
B) Auscultating breath sounds and observing chest rise
C) Measuring EtCO₂
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both B and C
Rationale: King LT airway placement is confirmed by auscultating bilateral
breath sounds, observing chest rise, and using EtCO₂ monitoring. The King LT
is a supraglottic airway device that does not require visualization of the vocal
cords. EtCO₂ provides the most definitive confirmation of proper placement.
Question 6: A patient with a suspected opioid overdose has a respiratory
rate of 6 breaths per minute and is unresponsive. After opening the airway
and providing ventilations, the EMT should:
A) Administer naloxone intranasally
B) Administer naloxone intramuscularly
C) Administer naloxone via endotracheal tube
D) Both A and B are appropriate routes
Correct Answer: D) Both A and B are appropriate routes
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) can be administered intranasally (IN) or
intramuscularly (IM) by EMTs. IN administration is preferred when IV access is
, not available. The dose for IN is typically 2 mg, and for IM is 0.4-2 mg.
Ventilation should be maintained while waiting for the medication to take
effect.
Question 7: The EMT should suction a patient's airway for no longer than:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10-15 seconds
C) 20-25 seconds
D) 30-45 seconds
Correct Answer: B) 10-15 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds at a time to prevent
hypoxia. The patient should be preoxygenated before suctioning, and
suctioning should be interrupted to allow the patient to breathe. Suctioning
for longer periods can cause hypoxia, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest.
Question 8: The correct size of a nasopharyngeal airway for an adult
female is typically:
A) 24 French
B) 26 French
C) 28 French
D) 30 French
Correct Answer: C) 28 French
Rationale: NPA sizes range from 20-36 French. A 28 French (or 7.0 mm) is
typically appropriate for an adult female. Adult males typically require a 30-
34 French (or 7.5-8.0 mm). The NPA is measured from the tip of the nose to
the earlobe.
