NYS EMT EXAM VERSION A, B & C QUESTIONS AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED THIS
YEAR………...
Core Domains:
- Airway Management and Ventilation
- Patient Assessment and Trauma Care
- Medical Emergencies and Cardiac Arrest Management
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- EMS Operations, Safety, and Incident Command
- Special Populations (Geriatrics, Bariatrics, Patients with Disabilities)
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
- EMS Documentation and Communication
- Infectious Disease and Hazardous Materials Awareness
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required
for the New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. It evaluates the candidate's ability to
manage pre-hospital emergencies, from airway and breathing to trauma and medical conditions. The exam
emphasizes real-world scenarios to test critical thinking, prioritisation, and the application of NYS protocols and
guidelines. Through a rigorous multiple-choice format, candidates will demonstrate their competence in providing
safe, effective, and compassionate emergency care in the pre-hospital setting.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. What is the most important initial step in managing a patient with an altered mental status?
A. Obtain a blood glucose level
B. Assess the airway and breathing
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Check for medical alert identification
🟢 B. Assess the airway and breathing
🔴 RATIONALE: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are the foundation of emergency care. In any patient
with an altered mental status, ensuring a patent airway and adequate breathing is the priority before
performing other assessments or interventions.
2. A patient is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient has a history of heart failure.
Which medication is most appropriate to administer?
A. Nitroglycerin (if prescribed)
B. Aspirin
C. Oxygen
D. All of the above
🟢 D. All of the above
🔴 RATIONALE: In a patient with suspected cardiac chest pain and a history of heart failure, the EMT should
administer oxygen (if hypoxic), aspirin (unless contraindicated), and assist with the patient's prescribed
nitroglycerin if indicated. All three interventions are standard of care for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
3. A patient with a suspected spinal injury is found unresponsive with a patent airway. What is the most
appropriate method to open the airway?
A. Head tilt, chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
C. Neck extension
,D. Chin lift only
🟢 B. Jaw thrust
🔴 RATIONALE: In a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the jaw thrust is the preferred method to open the
airway without moving the neck. This minimizes the risk of further spinal cord injury while ensuring a patent
airway.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest?
A. 8-12 breaths per minute
B. 12-20 breaths per minute
C. 20-28 breaths per minute
D. 28-32 breaths per minute
🟢 B. 12-20 breaths per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is 12-20 breaths per minute. A rate below
12 or above 20 may indicate an underlying medical condition requiring further assessment.
5. A patient is experiencing a seizure. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
A. Restrain the patient to prevent injury
B. Place an object in the mouth to prevent tongue biting
C. Clear the area and protect the patient from injury
D. Administer oral glucose
🟢 C. Clear the area and protect the patient from injury
🔴 RATIONALE: During a seizure, the priority is to protect the patient from injury by clearing the area of harmful
objects. The patient should not be restrained, and nothing should be placed in the mouth. After the seizure, the
airway should be assessed.
6. A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Diphenhydramine
, B. Albuterol
C. Epinephrine
D. Methylprednisolone
🟢 C. Epinephrine
🔴 RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It works by vasoconstriction to reverse
hypotension, bronchodilation to relieve airway obstruction, and reducing oedema. It should be administered
intramuscularly as soon as anaphylaxis is recognised.
7. The most common cause of airway obstruction in an unresponsive patient is:
A. The tongue
B. Foreign body
C. Vomitus
D. Blood
🟢 A. The tongue
🔴 RATIONALE: In an unresponsive patient, the tongue can fall back and obstruct the airway. This is the most
common cause of airway obstruction in the unresponsive patient and can be managed by head tilt, chin lift or
jaw thrust.
8. A patient is bleeding profusely from a wound on the forearm. What is the most appropriate immediate
action?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Apply direct pressure and elevate the arm
C. Apply an ice pack
D. Pack the wound with gauze
🟢 B. Apply direct pressure and elevate the arm
🔴 RATIONALE: Direct pressure is the most effective initial method to control external bleeding. Elevating the
YEAR………...
Core Domains:
- Airway Management and Ventilation
- Patient Assessment and Trauma Care
- Medical Emergencies and Cardiac Arrest Management
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- EMS Operations, Safety, and Incident Command
- Special Populations (Geriatrics, Bariatrics, Patients with Disabilities)
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
- EMS Documentation and Communication
- Infectious Disease and Hazardous Materials Awareness
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required
for the New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. It evaluates the candidate's ability to
manage pre-hospital emergencies, from airway and breathing to trauma and medical conditions. The exam
emphasizes real-world scenarios to test critical thinking, prioritisation, and the application of NYS protocols and
guidelines. Through a rigorous multiple-choice format, candidates will demonstrate their competence in providing
safe, effective, and compassionate emergency care in the pre-hospital setting.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. What is the most important initial step in managing a patient with an altered mental status?
A. Obtain a blood glucose level
B. Assess the airway and breathing
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Check for medical alert identification
🟢 B. Assess the airway and breathing
🔴 RATIONALE: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are the foundation of emergency care. In any patient
with an altered mental status, ensuring a patent airway and adequate breathing is the priority before
performing other assessments or interventions.
2. A patient is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient has a history of heart failure.
Which medication is most appropriate to administer?
A. Nitroglycerin (if prescribed)
B. Aspirin
C. Oxygen
D. All of the above
🟢 D. All of the above
🔴 RATIONALE: In a patient with suspected cardiac chest pain and a history of heart failure, the EMT should
administer oxygen (if hypoxic), aspirin (unless contraindicated), and assist with the patient's prescribed
nitroglycerin if indicated. All three interventions are standard of care for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
3. A patient with a suspected spinal injury is found unresponsive with a patent airway. What is the most
appropriate method to open the airway?
A. Head tilt, chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
C. Neck extension
,D. Chin lift only
🟢 B. Jaw thrust
🔴 RATIONALE: In a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the jaw thrust is the preferred method to open the
airway without moving the neck. This minimizes the risk of further spinal cord injury while ensuring a patent
airway.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest?
A. 8-12 breaths per minute
B. 12-20 breaths per minute
C. 20-28 breaths per minute
D. 28-32 breaths per minute
🟢 B. 12-20 breaths per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is 12-20 breaths per minute. A rate below
12 or above 20 may indicate an underlying medical condition requiring further assessment.
5. A patient is experiencing a seizure. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
A. Restrain the patient to prevent injury
B. Place an object in the mouth to prevent tongue biting
C. Clear the area and protect the patient from injury
D. Administer oral glucose
🟢 C. Clear the area and protect the patient from injury
🔴 RATIONALE: During a seizure, the priority is to protect the patient from injury by clearing the area of harmful
objects. The patient should not be restrained, and nothing should be placed in the mouth. After the seizure, the
airway should be assessed.
6. A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis. Which medication should be administered first?
A. Diphenhydramine
, B. Albuterol
C. Epinephrine
D. Methylprednisolone
🟢 C. Epinephrine
🔴 RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It works by vasoconstriction to reverse
hypotension, bronchodilation to relieve airway obstruction, and reducing oedema. It should be administered
intramuscularly as soon as anaphylaxis is recognised.
7. The most common cause of airway obstruction in an unresponsive patient is:
A. The tongue
B. Foreign body
C. Vomitus
D. Blood
🟢 A. The tongue
🔴 RATIONALE: In an unresponsive patient, the tongue can fall back and obstruct the airway. This is the most
common cause of airway obstruction in the unresponsive patient and can be managed by head tilt, chin lift or
jaw thrust.
8. A patient is bleeding profusely from a wound on the forearm. What is the most appropriate immediate
action?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Apply direct pressure and elevate the arm
C. Apply an ice pack
D. Pack the wound with gauze
🟢 B. Apply direct pressure and elevate the arm
🔴 RATIONALE: Direct pressure is the most effective initial method to control external bleeding. Elevating the
