EMT TRAUMA EXAM FISDAP EXAM LATEST
UPDATED VERSION 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER>.>S WITH
RATIONALES
Question 1
A patient has diminished breath sounds on one side. Chest rise is unequal. You should suspect:
A) Cardiac tamponade
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemothorax
D) A pneumothorax
ANSWER>.>: D) A pneumothorax
Rationale:
A) Cardiac tamponade - Incorrect. Cardiac tamponade presents with muffled heart sounds, hypotension,
and JVD (Beck's triad). Breath sounds are typically equal.
B) Tension pneumothorax - Incorrect. While this is a type of pneumothorax, the classic signs include
severe respiratory distress, tracheal deviation, and hemodynamic compromise. The question describes
simple pneumothorax findings.
C) Hemothorax - Incorrect. Hemothorax typically presents with dullness to percussion on the affected
side, not diminished breath sounds with unequal chest rise.
,D) Correct. Diminished breath sounds on one side with unequal chest rise are hallmark signs of a
pneumothorax, where air has accumulated in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
Question 2
A 16-year-old male complains of extreme pain to his chest. You note his shirt is splashed with battery
acid. Vitals are BP 150/100, P 100, R 24. You should:
A) Neutralize the acid with baking soda
B) Cut around the contaminated area and leave the shirt in place
C) Remove his shirt and flush skin with water
D) Apply a dry sterile dressing over the area
ANSWER>.>: C) Remove his shirt and flush skin with water
Rationale:
A) Neutralize the acid with baking soda - Incorrect. Neutralizing agents can cause exothermic reactions
that generate heat and worsen burns. Never attempt to neutralize chemical burns.
B) Cut around the contaminated area and leave the shirt in place - Incorrect. Leaving contaminated
clothing in place continues the burning process. The shirt must be removed.
C) Correct. Chemical burns require immediate removal of contaminated clothing and copious irrigation
with water for 15-20 minutes. This dilutes and removes the chemical agent.
D) Apply a dry sterile dressing over the area - Incorrect. This would trap the chemical against the skin
and continue the burning process without removing the contaminant.
Question 3
,What is the most important factor when a person is struck in the chest with a baseball?
A) The size of the baseball
B) The speed of the ball at impact
C) The angle of impact
D) The hardness of the baseball
ANSWER>.>: B) The speed of the ball at impact
Rationale:
A) The size of the baseball - Incorrect. Baseballs are standardized in size. Size is less critical than velocity
in determining injury severity.
B) Correct. The speed of the ball at impact is the most important factor in determining kinetic energy
transfer. Kinetic energy equals ½ mass × velocity². Velocity has a squared relationship, making it the
dominant factor in injury potential.
C) The angle of impact - Incorrect. While angle affects force distribution, speed remains the primary
determinant of injury severity.
D) The hardness of the baseball - Incorrect. Baseballs have standardized hardness. Speed is the variable
factor that most significantly affects injury potential.
Question 4
A pedestrian was struck by an automobile. His skin is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. He is oriented to name
only and complaining of difficulty breathing. Vital signs are BP 80/40, P 120, R 28 and shallow, SpO2
90%. You should:
A) Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B) Administer oxygen with bag-valve-mask
, C) Apply spinal motion restriction
D) Transport immediately with oxygen via nasal cannula
ANSWER>.>: B) Administer oxygen with bag-valve-mask
Rationale:
A) Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask - Incorrect. While high-flow oxygen is needed,
the patient's respiratory rate is 28 and shallow with SpO2 90%, indicating inadequate ventilation
requiring assisted ventilation.
B) Correct. The patient shows signs of hypoperfusion (hypotension 80/40, tachycardia 120,
pale/cool/diaphoretic skin) with inadequate breathing (shallow, SpO2 90%). A BVM provides positive
pressure ventilation to improve oxygenation and ventilation.
C) Apply spinal motion restriction - Incorrect. While indicated, this does not address the immediate life
threat of inadequate ventilation and perfusion.
D) Transport immediately with oxygen via nasal cannula - Incorrect. Nasal cannula cannot deliver
adequate FiO2 to a patient with SpO2 of 90% and shallow breathing requiring ventilatory support.
Question 5
A 25-year-old assault victim is spitting up light pink sputum. He has bright, red blood spurting from a 2-
inch laceration to his left forearm. What should you do?
A) Apply a tourniquet to the arm
B) Apply direct pressure to the wound
C) Apply pressure to the brachial artery
D) Elevate the arm above heart level
ANSWER>.>: B) Apply direct pressure to the wound
UPDATED VERSION 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWER>.>S WITH
RATIONALES
Question 1
A patient has diminished breath sounds on one side. Chest rise is unequal. You should suspect:
A) Cardiac tamponade
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemothorax
D) A pneumothorax
ANSWER>.>: D) A pneumothorax
Rationale:
A) Cardiac tamponade - Incorrect. Cardiac tamponade presents with muffled heart sounds, hypotension,
and JVD (Beck's triad). Breath sounds are typically equal.
B) Tension pneumothorax - Incorrect. While this is a type of pneumothorax, the classic signs include
severe respiratory distress, tracheal deviation, and hemodynamic compromise. The question describes
simple pneumothorax findings.
C) Hemothorax - Incorrect. Hemothorax typically presents with dullness to percussion on the affected
side, not diminished breath sounds with unequal chest rise.
,D) Correct. Diminished breath sounds on one side with unequal chest rise are hallmark signs of a
pneumothorax, where air has accumulated in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
Question 2
A 16-year-old male complains of extreme pain to his chest. You note his shirt is splashed with battery
acid. Vitals are BP 150/100, P 100, R 24. You should:
A) Neutralize the acid with baking soda
B) Cut around the contaminated area and leave the shirt in place
C) Remove his shirt and flush skin with water
D) Apply a dry sterile dressing over the area
ANSWER>.>: C) Remove his shirt and flush skin with water
Rationale:
A) Neutralize the acid with baking soda - Incorrect. Neutralizing agents can cause exothermic reactions
that generate heat and worsen burns. Never attempt to neutralize chemical burns.
B) Cut around the contaminated area and leave the shirt in place - Incorrect. Leaving contaminated
clothing in place continues the burning process. The shirt must be removed.
C) Correct. Chemical burns require immediate removal of contaminated clothing and copious irrigation
with water for 15-20 minutes. This dilutes and removes the chemical agent.
D) Apply a dry sterile dressing over the area - Incorrect. This would trap the chemical against the skin
and continue the burning process without removing the contaminant.
Question 3
,What is the most important factor when a person is struck in the chest with a baseball?
A) The size of the baseball
B) The speed of the ball at impact
C) The angle of impact
D) The hardness of the baseball
ANSWER>.>: B) The speed of the ball at impact
Rationale:
A) The size of the baseball - Incorrect. Baseballs are standardized in size. Size is less critical than velocity
in determining injury severity.
B) Correct. The speed of the ball at impact is the most important factor in determining kinetic energy
transfer. Kinetic energy equals ½ mass × velocity². Velocity has a squared relationship, making it the
dominant factor in injury potential.
C) The angle of impact - Incorrect. While angle affects force distribution, speed remains the primary
determinant of injury severity.
D) The hardness of the baseball - Incorrect. Baseballs have standardized hardness. Speed is the variable
factor that most significantly affects injury potential.
Question 4
A pedestrian was struck by an automobile. His skin is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. He is oriented to name
only and complaining of difficulty breathing. Vital signs are BP 80/40, P 120, R 28 and shallow, SpO2
90%. You should:
A) Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B) Administer oxygen with bag-valve-mask
, C) Apply spinal motion restriction
D) Transport immediately with oxygen via nasal cannula
ANSWER>.>: B) Administer oxygen with bag-valve-mask
Rationale:
A) Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask - Incorrect. While high-flow oxygen is needed,
the patient's respiratory rate is 28 and shallow with SpO2 90%, indicating inadequate ventilation
requiring assisted ventilation.
B) Correct. The patient shows signs of hypoperfusion (hypotension 80/40, tachycardia 120,
pale/cool/diaphoretic skin) with inadequate breathing (shallow, SpO2 90%). A BVM provides positive
pressure ventilation to improve oxygenation and ventilation.
C) Apply spinal motion restriction - Incorrect. While indicated, this does not address the immediate life
threat of inadequate ventilation and perfusion.
D) Transport immediately with oxygen via nasal cannula - Incorrect. Nasal cannula cannot deliver
adequate FiO2 to a patient with SpO2 of 90% and shallow breathing requiring ventilatory support.
Question 5
A 25-year-old assault victim is spitting up light pink sputum. He has bright, red blood spurting from a 2-
inch laceration to his left forearm. What should you do?
A) Apply a tourniquet to the arm
B) Apply direct pressure to the wound
C) Apply pressure to the brachial artery
D) Elevate the arm above heart level
ANSWER>.>: B) Apply direct pressure to the wound
