West coast EMT block 4 Exam with
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
You are assessing a man who has a head injury and note that cerebrospinal fluid is
leaking from his ear. You should recognize that this patient is at risk for:
A. hypovolemic shock.
B. permanent hearing loss.
C. bacterial meningitis.
D. sudden hypotension.
Correct Answer
C. bacterial meningitis
Question 2
All of the following should be addressed during the primary assessment except:
A. capillary bleeding.
B. slow, shallow breathing.
C. severe hemorrhage.
D. airway obstruction.
Correct Answer
A. capillary bleeding
Question 3
Which of the following statements regarding striated muscle is correct?
Select one:
A. Most of the body's striated muscle is found within the walls of the blood vessels.
B. Striated muscle is involuntary because you have no conscious control over it.
C. Striated muscle tissue is attached directly to the bones by tough bands of cartilage.
D. It forms the major muscle mass of the body and usually crosses at least one joint.
Correct Answer
D it forms the major muscle amss of the body and usually crosses at least one joint
Page 1 of 100
,Question 4
A rapid, irregular pulse following blunt trauma to the chest is most suggestive of a:
A. pericardial tamponade.
B. myocardial contusion.
C. ruptured aorta.
D. tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer
B. myocardial contusion
Question 5
A 48-year-old male has a suspected open-book pelvic fracture. He is conscious but
restless, and his skin is pale and diaphoretic. His respirations are 22 breaths/min and
his pulse rate is 120 beats/min. There is no external bleeding noted. The EMT should:
A. stabilize his pelvis by placing him onto his side.
B. elevate his legs, keep him warm, and transport.
C. assess his blood pressure to detect hypotension.
D. apply a compression device around his pelvis.
Correct Answer
D. apply a compression device around his pelvis
Question 6
Burns associated with lightning strikes are typically:
A. partial-thickness.
B. superficial.
C. third-degree.
D. full-thickness.
Correct Answer
B. superficial
Page 2 of 100
,Question 7
If a patient with a chest injury only inhales small amounts of air per breath, he or she:
A. must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume.
B. often breathes at a slower rate because of lung damage caused by the injury.
C. will maintain adequate minute volume if his or her respiratory rate stays the same.
D. will eliminate more carbon dioxide than if he or she were breathing deeply.
Correct Answer
A. must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume
Question 8
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the:
A. meninges and spinal cord.
B. brain and spinal cord.
C. cerebellum and brain.
D. cerebrum and meninges.
Correct Answer
B. brain and spinal cord
Question 9
Traction splints primarily immobilize and secure fractures of the:
A. humerus.
B. femur.
C. hip.
D. pelvis.
Correct Answer
B, femur
Question 10
High air temperature reduces the body's ability to lose heat by:
A. evaporation.
B. convection.
C. radiation.
D. conduction.
Correct Answer
C. radiation
Page 3 of 100
, Question 11
Bones are connected to other bones by bands of tough fibrous tissues called:
Select one:
A. tendons.
B. bursa.
C. ligaments.
D. cartilage.
Correct Answer
c ligaments
Question 12
In which of the following situations should the EMT splint an injured limb in the
position of deformity?
A. If a traction splint will be used to immobilize the injured extremity
B. When distal circulation and neurological functions are absent
C. If resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain
D. If transport time to the hospital is greater than 20 to 30 minutes
Correct Answer
C. if resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain
Question 13
When caring for a patient whose arm is covered with a dry chemical, you should:
A. brush away the chemical before flushing with water.
B. deactivate the chemical with a 5% vinegar solution.
C. quickly irrigate the arm with large amounts of water.
D. use forceful streams of water to remove the chemica
Correct Answer
A. brush away the chemical before flushing with water
Page 4 of 100
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
You are assessing a man who has a head injury and note that cerebrospinal fluid is
leaking from his ear. You should recognize that this patient is at risk for:
A. hypovolemic shock.
B. permanent hearing loss.
C. bacterial meningitis.
D. sudden hypotension.
Correct Answer
C. bacterial meningitis
Question 2
All of the following should be addressed during the primary assessment except:
A. capillary bleeding.
B. slow, shallow breathing.
C. severe hemorrhage.
D. airway obstruction.
Correct Answer
A. capillary bleeding
Question 3
Which of the following statements regarding striated muscle is correct?
Select one:
A. Most of the body's striated muscle is found within the walls of the blood vessels.
B. Striated muscle is involuntary because you have no conscious control over it.
C. Striated muscle tissue is attached directly to the bones by tough bands of cartilage.
D. It forms the major muscle mass of the body and usually crosses at least one joint.
Correct Answer
D it forms the major muscle amss of the body and usually crosses at least one joint
Page 1 of 100
,Question 4
A rapid, irregular pulse following blunt trauma to the chest is most suggestive of a:
A. pericardial tamponade.
B. myocardial contusion.
C. ruptured aorta.
D. tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer
B. myocardial contusion
Question 5
A 48-year-old male has a suspected open-book pelvic fracture. He is conscious but
restless, and his skin is pale and diaphoretic. His respirations are 22 breaths/min and
his pulse rate is 120 beats/min. There is no external bleeding noted. The EMT should:
A. stabilize his pelvis by placing him onto his side.
B. elevate his legs, keep him warm, and transport.
C. assess his blood pressure to detect hypotension.
D. apply a compression device around his pelvis.
Correct Answer
D. apply a compression device around his pelvis
Question 6
Burns associated with lightning strikes are typically:
A. partial-thickness.
B. superficial.
C. third-degree.
D. full-thickness.
Correct Answer
B. superficial
Page 2 of 100
,Question 7
If a patient with a chest injury only inhales small amounts of air per breath, he or she:
A. must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume.
B. often breathes at a slower rate because of lung damage caused by the injury.
C. will maintain adequate minute volume if his or her respiratory rate stays the same.
D. will eliminate more carbon dioxide than if he or she were breathing deeply.
Correct Answer
A. must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume
Question 8
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the:
A. meninges and spinal cord.
B. brain and spinal cord.
C. cerebellum and brain.
D. cerebrum and meninges.
Correct Answer
B. brain and spinal cord
Question 9
Traction splints primarily immobilize and secure fractures of the:
A. humerus.
B. femur.
C. hip.
D. pelvis.
Correct Answer
B, femur
Question 10
High air temperature reduces the body's ability to lose heat by:
A. evaporation.
B. convection.
C. radiation.
D. conduction.
Correct Answer
C. radiation
Page 3 of 100
, Question 11
Bones are connected to other bones by bands of tough fibrous tissues called:
Select one:
A. tendons.
B. bursa.
C. ligaments.
D. cartilage.
Correct Answer
c ligaments
Question 12
In which of the following situations should the EMT splint an injured limb in the
position of deformity?
A. If a traction splint will be used to immobilize the injured extremity
B. When distal circulation and neurological functions are absent
C. If resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain
D. If transport time to the hospital is greater than 20 to 30 minutes
Correct Answer
C. if resistance is encountered or the patient experiences severe pain
Question 13
When caring for a patient whose arm is covered with a dry chemical, you should:
A. brush away the chemical before flushing with water.
B. deactivate the chemical with a 5% vinegar solution.
C. quickly irrigate the arm with large amounts of water.
D. use forceful streams of water to remove the chemica
Correct Answer
A. brush away the chemical before flushing with water
Page 4 of 100
