NREMT EXAM PREP 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 67-year-old male with a history of COPD is complaining of increased shortness of breath.
He is currently on 2L oxygen via nasal cannula. His SpO2 is 88%. Which of the following is the
most appropriate next step?
A. Decrease oxygen to 1L to avoid suppressing his hypoxic drive
B. Titrate oxygen to achieve a target SpO2 of 88-92% and monitor for respiratory
depression
C. Immediately switch to a non-rebreather mask at 15L
D. Titrate oxygen to achieve a target SpO2 of 88-92% and monitor for respiratory
depression
D. Increase oxygen flow rate to maintain an SpO2 of 94% or higher
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In COPD patients, the target SpO2 is generally 88-92% to
prevent hypercapnia caused by the loss of hypoxic drive, though life-threatening hypoxia
should still be treated.
,2. Which of the following findings is considered a part of Beck’s Triad, indicating cardiac
tamponade?
A. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
B. Muffled heart sounds, JVD, and narrowing pulse pressure
C. Tracheal deviation, absent lung sounds, and hypotension
D. Flat neck veins, tachycardia, and hypotension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s Triad consists of muffled heart sounds, jugular venous
distention (JVD), and narrowing pulse pressure (or hypotension), which are classic signs of
cardiac tamponade.
3. A 4-year-old patient has sustained partial-thickness burns to his entire right leg and his
entire chest. Using the pediatric Rule of Nines, what is the estimated body surface area
burned?
A. 27%
B. 22.5%
C. 36%
D. 32%
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: In pediatrics, a leg is 14% and the front of the torso
(chest/abdomen) is 18%. 14 + 18 = 32%.
4. What is the definitive difference between eclampsia and pre-eclampsia?
A. The presence of seizure activity
B. The presence of peripheral edema
C. The presence of hypertension
D. The gestational age of the fetus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Eclampsia is defined as the onset of seizures (convulsions) in a
patient with pre-eclampsia.
5. A patient exhibits snoring respirations. This most likely indicates which of the following?
A. Fluid in the lower airways
B. Narrowing of the bronchioles
C. Partial airway obstruction by the tongue
D. Inflammation of the epiglottis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Snoring is a classic sign of the tongue partially obstructing the
upper airway, usually corrected by a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw-thrust.
AND ANSWERS
1. A 67-year-old male with a history of COPD is complaining of increased shortness of breath.
He is currently on 2L oxygen via nasal cannula. His SpO2 is 88%. Which of the following is the
most appropriate next step?
A. Decrease oxygen to 1L to avoid suppressing his hypoxic drive
B. Titrate oxygen to achieve a target SpO2 of 88-92% and monitor for respiratory
depression
C. Immediately switch to a non-rebreather mask at 15L
D. Titrate oxygen to achieve a target SpO2 of 88-92% and monitor for respiratory
depression
D. Increase oxygen flow rate to maintain an SpO2 of 94% or higher
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In COPD patients, the target SpO2 is generally 88-92% to
prevent hypercapnia caused by the loss of hypoxic drive, though life-threatening hypoxia
should still be treated.
,2. Which of the following findings is considered a part of Beck’s Triad, indicating cardiac
tamponade?
A. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
B. Muffled heart sounds, JVD, and narrowing pulse pressure
C. Tracheal deviation, absent lung sounds, and hypotension
D. Flat neck veins, tachycardia, and hypotension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s Triad consists of muffled heart sounds, jugular venous
distention (JVD), and narrowing pulse pressure (or hypotension), which are classic signs of
cardiac tamponade.
3. A 4-year-old patient has sustained partial-thickness burns to his entire right leg and his
entire chest. Using the pediatric Rule of Nines, what is the estimated body surface area
burned?
A. 27%
B. 22.5%
C. 36%
D. 32%
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: In pediatrics, a leg is 14% and the front of the torso
(chest/abdomen) is 18%. 14 + 18 = 32%.
4. What is the definitive difference between eclampsia and pre-eclampsia?
A. The presence of seizure activity
B. The presence of peripheral edema
C. The presence of hypertension
D. The gestational age of the fetus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Eclampsia is defined as the onset of seizures (convulsions) in a
patient with pre-eclampsia.
5. A patient exhibits snoring respirations. This most likely indicates which of the following?
A. Fluid in the lower airways
B. Narrowing of the bronchioles
C. Partial airway obstruction by the tongue
D. Inflammation of the epiglottis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Snoring is a classic sign of the tongue partially obstructing the
upper airway, usually corrected by a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw-thrust.
