NREMT Practice Test Bank - Multiple Choice
Updated Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
Which of the following situations would necessitate treatment using implied consent?
• A:A 17-year-old pregnant woman with an isolated extremity injury
• B:A 65-year-old man who is confused and suspected of having a severe stroke
• C:A 25-year-old man who is restless and has severe chest pain and diaphoresis
• D:An 18-year-old man who is now fully alert after receiving oral glucose
Correct Answer
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:A patient may be treated under the law of implied consent, also called the
emergency doctrine, any time he or she is unresponsive or otherwise lacks decision-
making capacity (ie, confused, under the influence of drugs or alcohol). In cases
such as these, the EMT should assume that the patient would consent to treatment
and transport if he or she were able to make an informed decision. Examples of
such patients include those who are intoxicated or who otherwise have an altered
mental status (ie, stroke, hypoglycemia). Patients younger than 18 years of age may
also be treated under the law of implied consent, unless the patient is female and is
emancipated or pregnant
Page 1 of 331
,Question 2
Which of the following is the MOST significant finding in a patient experiencing an
allergic reaction?
• A:Widespread rash.
• B:Abdominal cramps.
• C:Headache
• D:Hoarseness
Correct Answer
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:A rash (urticaria), headache, abdominal cramps, and hoarseness are all signs
of an allergic reaction. However, the presence of hoarseness is the most significant
finding because it indicates upper airway swelling. Other significant findings include
swelling of the face, neck, or tongue; wheezing and/or stridor; difficulty breathing;
tachycardia; and hypotension. Death due to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
is caused by vascular collapse (caused by massive vasodilation) and respiratory
failure (caused by upper and/or lower airway swelling).
Question 3
Following the initial steps of resuscitation, a newborn remains apneic and cyanotic.
You should:
• A:start CPR if the heart rate is less than 80 beats/min.
• B:immediately resuction its mouth and nose.
• C:gently flick the soles of its feet for up to 60 seconds.
• D:begin ventilations with a bag-mask device.
Correct Answer
The correct answer is D;
Reason:The initial steps of newborn resuscitation, which are performed on all
newborns following delivery, include drying, warming, positioning, suctioning, and
tactile stimulation. If the newborn remains apneic after the initial steps of
resuscitation, or has a heart rate less than 100 beats/min, you should begin positive-
pressure ventilations (PPV) with a bag-mask device at a rate of 40 to 60
breaths/min. Continued tactile stimulation (eg, flicking the soles of the feet, rubbing
the lateral thorax) of an apneic newborn wastes time; you must ventilate at once. If
the newborn's heart rate is less than 60 beats/min despite effective PPV, you should
begin chest compressions.
Page 2 of 331
,Question 4
After an initial attempt to ventilate an unresponsive apneic patient fails, you
reposition the patient's head and reattempt ventilation without success. You should
next:
A: turn the patient onto his side and deliver 5 to 10 back slaps.
B: perform chest compressions, open the airway, and look in the mouth.
C: administer 5 to 10 abdominal thrusts and reattempt to ventilate.
D: perform continuous chest compressions until ALS personnel arrive.
Correct Answer
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason: If you are unable to ventilate an unresponsive, apneic patient after two
attempts, you should assume that he or she has a severe (complete) foreign body
airway obstruction. Immediately perform 30 chest compressions (15 compressions if
two EMTs are present and the patient is an infant or child). Next, open the patient's
airway and look inside the mouth. If you can see the object, attempt to remove it
with your finger (never perform blind finger sweeps of the mouth). If you cannot see
the object, continue chest compressions. If you are able to remove the object,
reattempt to ventilate. Unless paramedics are nearby, begin transport while
continuing chest compressions, opening the airway and looking in the mouth, and
attempting to ventilate (if you can remove the object). Abdominal thrusts are
indicated for responsive children and adults with a severe airway obstruction. Back
slaps are indicated for a responsive infant with a severe airway obstruction.
Page 3 of 331
, Question 5
Unresponsiveness, shallow breathing, and constricted pupils are indicative of what
type of drug overdose?
• A:Marijuana
• B:Amphetamine
• C:Narcotic
• D:Barbiturate
Correct Answer
You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Signs of a narcotic (opiate) overdose from drugs such as heroin, morphine
(Astromorph, Duramorph), meperidine (Demerol), or codeine include altered mental
status; slow, shallow breathing; pupillary constriction (miosis), hypotension; and
bradycardia. Narcotics are central nervous system depressants that, when taken in
excess, suppress the vital functions necessary for life, such as breathing, heart rate,
and blood pressure. Barbiturates produce the same effects; however, the pupils are
typically dilated (mydriasis), not constricted. Marijuana and amphetamine drugs are
central nervous system stimulants and would thus cause the patient to become
restless or even combative.
Question 6
You are performing a secondary assessment on a severely injured patient while en
route to a trauma center. During the assessment, you note that the patient's
respiratory rate has increased. You should:
• A:repeat the primary assessment and treat as needed.
• B:immediately notify the receiving facility.
• C:assess his oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter.
• D:count the number of respirations per minute
Correct Answer
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
Any time a patient's condition deteriorates, such as your patient whose respirations
have increased, you should immediately repeat the primary assessment and adjust
your treatment accordingly. For example, a patient who initially had adequate
breathing may now require assisted ventilation. After stabilizing the patient's
condition, reassess his or her vital signs, including oxygen saturation, and notify the
receiving facility.
Page 4 of 331
Updated Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
Which of the following situations would necessitate treatment using implied consent?
• A:A 17-year-old pregnant woman with an isolated extremity injury
• B:A 65-year-old man who is confused and suspected of having a severe stroke
• C:A 25-year-old man who is restless and has severe chest pain and diaphoresis
• D:An 18-year-old man who is now fully alert after receiving oral glucose
Correct Answer
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:A patient may be treated under the law of implied consent, also called the
emergency doctrine, any time he or she is unresponsive or otherwise lacks decision-
making capacity (ie, confused, under the influence of drugs or alcohol). In cases
such as these, the EMT should assume that the patient would consent to treatment
and transport if he or she were able to make an informed decision. Examples of
such patients include those who are intoxicated or who otherwise have an altered
mental status (ie, stroke, hypoglycemia). Patients younger than 18 years of age may
also be treated under the law of implied consent, unless the patient is female and is
emancipated or pregnant
Page 1 of 331
,Question 2
Which of the following is the MOST significant finding in a patient experiencing an
allergic reaction?
• A:Widespread rash.
• B:Abdominal cramps.
• C:Headache
• D:Hoarseness
Correct Answer
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:A rash (urticaria), headache, abdominal cramps, and hoarseness are all signs
of an allergic reaction. However, the presence of hoarseness is the most significant
finding because it indicates upper airway swelling. Other significant findings include
swelling of the face, neck, or tongue; wheezing and/or stridor; difficulty breathing;
tachycardia; and hypotension. Death due to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
is caused by vascular collapse (caused by massive vasodilation) and respiratory
failure (caused by upper and/or lower airway swelling).
Question 3
Following the initial steps of resuscitation, a newborn remains apneic and cyanotic.
You should:
• A:start CPR if the heart rate is less than 80 beats/min.
• B:immediately resuction its mouth and nose.
• C:gently flick the soles of its feet for up to 60 seconds.
• D:begin ventilations with a bag-mask device.
Correct Answer
The correct answer is D;
Reason:The initial steps of newborn resuscitation, which are performed on all
newborns following delivery, include drying, warming, positioning, suctioning, and
tactile stimulation. If the newborn remains apneic after the initial steps of
resuscitation, or has a heart rate less than 100 beats/min, you should begin positive-
pressure ventilations (PPV) with a bag-mask device at a rate of 40 to 60
breaths/min. Continued tactile stimulation (eg, flicking the soles of the feet, rubbing
the lateral thorax) of an apneic newborn wastes time; you must ventilate at once. If
the newborn's heart rate is less than 60 beats/min despite effective PPV, you should
begin chest compressions.
Page 2 of 331
,Question 4
After an initial attempt to ventilate an unresponsive apneic patient fails, you
reposition the patient's head and reattempt ventilation without success. You should
next:
A: turn the patient onto his side and deliver 5 to 10 back slaps.
B: perform chest compressions, open the airway, and look in the mouth.
C: administer 5 to 10 abdominal thrusts and reattempt to ventilate.
D: perform continuous chest compressions until ALS personnel arrive.
Correct Answer
You selected B; This is correct!
Reason: If you are unable to ventilate an unresponsive, apneic patient after two
attempts, you should assume that he or she has a severe (complete) foreign body
airway obstruction. Immediately perform 30 chest compressions (15 compressions if
two EMTs are present and the patient is an infant or child). Next, open the patient's
airway and look inside the mouth. If you can see the object, attempt to remove it
with your finger (never perform blind finger sweeps of the mouth). If you cannot see
the object, continue chest compressions. If you are able to remove the object,
reattempt to ventilate. Unless paramedics are nearby, begin transport while
continuing chest compressions, opening the airway and looking in the mouth, and
attempting to ventilate (if you can remove the object). Abdominal thrusts are
indicated for responsive children and adults with a severe airway obstruction. Back
slaps are indicated for a responsive infant with a severe airway obstruction.
Page 3 of 331
, Question 5
Unresponsiveness, shallow breathing, and constricted pupils are indicative of what
type of drug overdose?
• A:Marijuana
• B:Amphetamine
• C:Narcotic
• D:Barbiturate
Correct Answer
You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Signs of a narcotic (opiate) overdose from drugs such as heroin, morphine
(Astromorph, Duramorph), meperidine (Demerol), or codeine include altered mental
status; slow, shallow breathing; pupillary constriction (miosis), hypotension; and
bradycardia. Narcotics are central nervous system depressants that, when taken in
excess, suppress the vital functions necessary for life, such as breathing, heart rate,
and blood pressure. Barbiturates produce the same effects; however, the pupils are
typically dilated (mydriasis), not constricted. Marijuana and amphetamine drugs are
central nervous system stimulants and would thus cause the patient to become
restless or even combative.
Question 6
You are performing a secondary assessment on a severely injured patient while en
route to a trauma center. During the assessment, you note that the patient's
respiratory rate has increased. You should:
• A:repeat the primary assessment and treat as needed.
• B:immediately notify the receiving facility.
• C:assess his oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter.
• D:count the number of respirations per minute
Correct Answer
You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:
Any time a patient's condition deteriorates, such as your patient whose respirations
have increased, you should immediately repeat the primary assessment and adjust
your treatment accordingly. For example, a patient who initially had adequate
breathing may now require assisted ventilation. After stabilizing the patient's
condition, reassess his or her vital signs, including oxygen saturation, and notify the
receiving facility.
Page 4 of 331
