West Coast EMT Block Exam 2026
1. A 12-year-old male jumped approximately 12 feet from a tree and landed on his
feet. He complains of pain to his lower back. What injury mechanism is MOST
likely responsible for his back pain?
A. Lateral impact to the spine
B. Secondary fall after the initial impact
C. Direct trauma to the spinal column
D. Energy transmission to the spine
*Answer: D. Energy transmission to the spine. *
Rationale: When a patient lands on their feet from a height, the force of impact is
transmitted upward through the skeletal system. The energy travels from the heels
through the legs, pelvis, and into the spine, potentially causing compression fractures. This
is an example of axial loading where kinetic energy is transmitted along the vertebral
column.
2. When the speed of a motor vehicle doubles, the amount of kinetic energy:
A. Quadruples
B. Is not affected
C. Triples
D. Doubles
*Answer: A. Quadruples. *
Rationale: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity (KE = ½mv²). When
speed doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four (2² = 4). This is why high-
speed collisions cause significantly more severe injuries than low-speed impacts.
, 3. A 15-year-old female was struck by a small car while riding her bicycle. She was
wearing a helmet and was thrown to the ground, striking her head. In addition to
managing problems associated with airway, breathing, and circulation, it is MOST
important for you to:
A. Leave her bicycle helmet on
B. Obtain baseline vital signs
C. Stabilize her entire spine
D. Inspect the helmet for cracks
*Answer: C. Stabilize her entire spine. *
Rationale: Any patient with a significant mechanism of injury, especially one involving
being struck by a vehicle and being thrown, should be suspected of having a spinal injury.
Spinal motion restriction is a critical priority in trauma management after addressing
ABCs.
4. A young male sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during an
altercation. As your partner is assessing and managing his airway, you should
control the obvious bleeding and then:
A. Auscultate bowel sounds
B. Assess for an exit wound
C. Apply a cervical collar
D. Begin immediate transport
*Answer: B. Assess for an exit wound. *
Rationale: In penetrating trauma such as a gunshot wound, it is essential to assess for
both entrance and exit wounds. The presence of an exit wound can indicate the trajectory
of the bullet and help predict which internal organs may have been injured.
5. According to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-
COT), an adult trauma patient should be transported to the highest level of trauma
center if he or she:
, A. Was involved in a motor vehicle crash in which another patient in the same vehicle
was killed
B. Has a systolic blood pressure of less than 110 mm Hg or a heart rate greater than 110
beats/min
C. Has a bleeding disorder or takes anticoagulant medications and has any blunt or
penetrating injury
D. Has a GCS score of less than or equal to 13 with a mechanism attributed to trauma
*Answer: B. Has a systolic blood pressure of less than 110 mm Hg or a heart rate
greater than 110 beats/min. *
Rationale: ACS-COT triage criteria identify patients who should be transported to the
highest level trauma center. Abnormal vital signs including hypotension (SBP < 110
mmHg) or tachycardia (HR > 110) are significant indicators of physiological compromise
requiring trauma center resources.
6. When assessing a patient who experienced a blast injury, it is important to
remember that:
A. Solid organs usually rupture from the pressure wave
B. Secondary blast injuries are usually the least obvious
C. Primary blast injuries are the most easily overlooked
D. Primary blast injuries are typically the most obvious
*Answer: C. Primary blast injuries are the most easily overlooked. *
Rationale: Primary blast injuries result from the pressure wave of the explosion and affect
gas-containing organs like the lungs, ears, and GI tract. These injuries may not be
immediately apparent externally and are often overlooked during initial assessment,
making them the most dangerous.
7. When assessing an elderly patient who fell, it is important to remember that:
A. Any fall in the elderly is considered to be high-energy trauma
B. Osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from a standing position
C. Bilateral hip fractures usually occur when an elderly person falls
, D. Elderly patients who fall usually have a secondary head injury
*Answer: B. Osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from a standing
position. *
Rationale: Elderly patients frequently have osteoporosis, which weakens bones and makes
them susceptible to fractures from low-energy mechanisms such as a fall from standing
height. This is a key consideration in geriatric trauma assessment.
8. Which of the following findings would be LEAST suggestive of the presence of
high-energy trauma?
A. Intrusion into the vehicle
B. Dismounted seats
C. Steering wheel deformity
D. Deployment of the air bag
*Answer: D. Deployment of the air bag. *
Rationale: Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes and actually
reduce injury severity. While airbag deployment indicates a significant impact, it is the
least concerning finding compared to vehicle intrusion, dismounted seats, or steering
wheel deformity, all of which suggest greater energy transfer.
9. Which of the following destinations is most appropriate for a 41-year-old male
patient who was involved in a rollover motor vehicle collision and is unconscious
and unresponsive, assuming that travel times to each is equal?
A. A Level I or Level II trauma center
B. Only a Level I trauma center
C. A Level IV or Level III trauma center
D. Any designated trauma center is acceptable
*Answer: A. A Level I or Level II trauma center. *
1. A 12-year-old male jumped approximately 12 feet from a tree and landed on his
feet. He complains of pain to his lower back. What injury mechanism is MOST
likely responsible for his back pain?
A. Lateral impact to the spine
B. Secondary fall after the initial impact
C. Direct trauma to the spinal column
D. Energy transmission to the spine
*Answer: D. Energy transmission to the spine. *
Rationale: When a patient lands on their feet from a height, the force of impact is
transmitted upward through the skeletal system. The energy travels from the heels
through the legs, pelvis, and into the spine, potentially causing compression fractures. This
is an example of axial loading where kinetic energy is transmitted along the vertebral
column.
2. When the speed of a motor vehicle doubles, the amount of kinetic energy:
A. Quadruples
B. Is not affected
C. Triples
D. Doubles
*Answer: A. Quadruples. *
Rationale: Kinetic energy is proportional to the square of velocity (KE = ½mv²). When
speed doubles, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four (2² = 4). This is why high-
speed collisions cause significantly more severe injuries than low-speed impacts.
, 3. A 15-year-old female was struck by a small car while riding her bicycle. She was
wearing a helmet and was thrown to the ground, striking her head. In addition to
managing problems associated with airway, breathing, and circulation, it is MOST
important for you to:
A. Leave her bicycle helmet on
B. Obtain baseline vital signs
C. Stabilize her entire spine
D. Inspect the helmet for cracks
*Answer: C. Stabilize her entire spine. *
Rationale: Any patient with a significant mechanism of injury, especially one involving
being struck by a vehicle and being thrown, should be suspected of having a spinal injury.
Spinal motion restriction is a critical priority in trauma management after addressing
ABCs.
4. A young male sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during an
altercation. As your partner is assessing and managing his airway, you should
control the obvious bleeding and then:
A. Auscultate bowel sounds
B. Assess for an exit wound
C. Apply a cervical collar
D. Begin immediate transport
*Answer: B. Assess for an exit wound. *
Rationale: In penetrating trauma such as a gunshot wound, it is essential to assess for
both entrance and exit wounds. The presence of an exit wound can indicate the trajectory
of the bullet and help predict which internal organs may have been injured.
5. According to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-
COT), an adult trauma patient should be transported to the highest level of trauma
center if he or she:
, A. Was involved in a motor vehicle crash in which another patient in the same vehicle
was killed
B. Has a systolic blood pressure of less than 110 mm Hg or a heart rate greater than 110
beats/min
C. Has a bleeding disorder or takes anticoagulant medications and has any blunt or
penetrating injury
D. Has a GCS score of less than or equal to 13 with a mechanism attributed to trauma
*Answer: B. Has a systolic blood pressure of less than 110 mm Hg or a heart rate
greater than 110 beats/min. *
Rationale: ACS-COT triage criteria identify patients who should be transported to the
highest level trauma center. Abnormal vital signs including hypotension (SBP < 110
mmHg) or tachycardia (HR > 110) are significant indicators of physiological compromise
requiring trauma center resources.
6. When assessing a patient who experienced a blast injury, it is important to
remember that:
A. Solid organs usually rupture from the pressure wave
B. Secondary blast injuries are usually the least obvious
C. Primary blast injuries are the most easily overlooked
D. Primary blast injuries are typically the most obvious
*Answer: C. Primary blast injuries are the most easily overlooked. *
Rationale: Primary blast injuries result from the pressure wave of the explosion and affect
gas-containing organs like the lungs, ears, and GI tract. These injuries may not be
immediately apparent externally and are often overlooked during initial assessment,
making them the most dangerous.
7. When assessing an elderly patient who fell, it is important to remember that:
A. Any fall in the elderly is considered to be high-energy trauma
B. Osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from a standing position
C. Bilateral hip fractures usually occur when an elderly person falls
, D. Elderly patients who fall usually have a secondary head injury
*Answer: B. Osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from a standing
position. *
Rationale: Elderly patients frequently have osteoporosis, which weakens bones and makes
them susceptible to fractures from low-energy mechanisms such as a fall from standing
height. This is a key consideration in geriatric trauma assessment.
8. Which of the following findings would be LEAST suggestive of the presence of
high-energy trauma?
A. Intrusion into the vehicle
B. Dismounted seats
C. Steering wheel deformity
D. Deployment of the air bag
*Answer: D. Deployment of the air bag. *
Rationale: Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes and actually
reduce injury severity. While airbag deployment indicates a significant impact, it is the
least concerning finding compared to vehicle intrusion, dismounted seats, or steering
wheel deformity, all of which suggest greater energy transfer.
9. Which of the following destinations is most appropriate for a 41-year-old male
patient who was involved in a rollover motor vehicle collision and is unconscious
and unresponsive, assuming that travel times to each is equal?
A. A Level I or Level II trauma center
B. Only a Level I trauma center
C. A Level IV or Level III trauma center
D. Any designated trauma center is acceptable
*Answer: A. A Level I or Level II trauma center. *
