• EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
Kitsap County EMS Protocols Exam 1 Questions
& Answers (Grade A+)
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS)
Answers with detailed Rationale
Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct?
a) HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B.
b) HIV is easily transmittable in the EMS field.
c) HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood.
d) There is no vaccine against HIV infection. - Correct Answer :d) There is no vaccine against HIV infection.
Online medical control requires __________.
a) written protocols by medical control
P 1
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
b) phone or radio contact with medical director
c) the presence of an advanced-level provider
d) a physician's presence on the scene of the call - Correct Answer :b) phone or radio contact with medical
director
Foods, medications, and insects are common causes of ________.
a) septic shock
b) anaphylactic shock
c) neurogenic shock
d) psychogenic shock - Correct Answer :b) anaphylactic shock
Unlike a multiple-casualty incident, a natural disaster:
a) often requires personnel to remain on scene for several days.
b) exists when there are more than 100 critically injured patients.
c) is typically short-lived and does not require as much manpower.
d) usually does not require the incident command system process. - Correct Answer :a) often requires
personnel to remain on scene for several days.
In most cases, cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children is caused by:
a) a drug overdose.
b) respiratory arrest.
c) severe chest trauma.
d) a cardiac dysrhythmia. - Correct Answer :b) respiratory arrest.
Hepatitis B is more virulent than hepatitis C, which means that it:
a) is less resistant to treatment.
b) is a more contagious type of disease.
c) has a greater ability to produce disease.
P 2
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
d) leads to chronic infection after exposure. - Correct Answer :c) has a greater ability to produce disease.
Asthma is caused by a response of the:
a) immune system.
b) endocrine system.
c) respiratory system.
d) cardiovascular system. - Correct Answer :a) immune system.
The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it:
a) pumps blood to the lungs to be reoxygenated.
b) uses less oxygen than other chambers of the heart.
c) pumps blood into the aorta and systemic circulation.
d) receives blood directly from the systemic circulation. - Correct Answer :c) pumps blood into the aorta and
systemic circulation.
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:
a) an air embolism.
b) alcohol intoxication.
c) possible spinal injury.
d) cold-water immersion. - Correct Answer :c) possible spinal injury.
You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious; has slow, shallow breathing; and has a weak
pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They
further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should:
a) begin treatment and contact medical control as needed.
b) honor the patient's wishes and withhold all treatment.
c) transport the patient without providing any treatment.
d) decide on further action once the DNR order is produced. - Correct Answer :a) begin treatment and contact
medical control as needed.
P 3
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
a) Always work toe-to-head.
b) Examine extremities first.
c) Avoid touching without permission.
d) Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABC's. - Correct Answer :c) Avoid touching without
permission.
A 67-year-old male presents with weakness, dizziness, and melena that began approximately 2 days ago. He
denies a history of trauma. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his pulse is 120 beats/min and thready. You
should be MOST suspicious that this patient is experiencing:
a) an aortic aneurysm.
b) acute appendicitis.
c) gastrointestinal bleeding.
d) intrathoracic hemorrhaging. - Correct Answer :c) gastrointestinal bleeding.
In which of the following patients should you remove an impaled object?
a) A semiconscious patient with an ice pick impaled in the chest
b) An apneic patient with a shard of glass impaled in the abdomen
c) A pulseless and apneic patient with a knife impaled in the back
d) A conscious and alert patient with a fishhook impaled in the eye - Correct Answer :c) A pulseless and apneic
patient with a knife impaled in the back
Urinary tract infections are more common in ____________.
a) women
b) men
c) sedentary adults
d) active adults - Correct Answer :a) women
P 4
Exam
Kitsap County EMS Protocols Exam 1 Questions
& Answers (Grade A+)
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS)
Answers with detailed Rationale
Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct?
a) HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B.
b) HIV is easily transmittable in the EMS field.
c) HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood.
d) There is no vaccine against HIV infection. - Correct Answer :d) There is no vaccine against HIV infection.
Online medical control requires __________.
a) written protocols by medical control
P 1
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
b) phone or radio contact with medical director
c) the presence of an advanced-level provider
d) a physician's presence on the scene of the call - Correct Answer :b) phone or radio contact with medical
director
Foods, medications, and insects are common causes of ________.
a) septic shock
b) anaphylactic shock
c) neurogenic shock
d) psychogenic shock - Correct Answer :b) anaphylactic shock
Unlike a multiple-casualty incident, a natural disaster:
a) often requires personnel to remain on scene for several days.
b) exists when there are more than 100 critically injured patients.
c) is typically short-lived and does not require as much manpower.
d) usually does not require the incident command system process. - Correct Answer :a) often requires
personnel to remain on scene for several days.
In most cases, cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children is caused by:
a) a drug overdose.
b) respiratory arrest.
c) severe chest trauma.
d) a cardiac dysrhythmia. - Correct Answer :b) respiratory arrest.
Hepatitis B is more virulent than hepatitis C, which means that it:
a) is less resistant to treatment.
b) is a more contagious type of disease.
c) has a greater ability to produce disease.
P 2
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
d) leads to chronic infection after exposure. - Correct Answer :c) has a greater ability to produce disease.
Asthma is caused by a response of the:
a) immune system.
b) endocrine system.
c) respiratory system.
d) cardiovascular system. - Correct Answer :a) immune system.
The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it:
a) pumps blood to the lungs to be reoxygenated.
b) uses less oxygen than other chambers of the heart.
c) pumps blood into the aorta and systemic circulation.
d) receives blood directly from the systemic circulation. - Correct Answer :c) pumps blood into the aorta and
systemic circulation.
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:
a) an air embolism.
b) alcohol intoxication.
c) possible spinal injury.
d) cold-water immersion. - Correct Answer :c) possible spinal injury.
You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious; has slow, shallow breathing; and has a weak
pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They
further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should:
a) begin treatment and contact medical control as needed.
b) honor the patient's wishes and withhold all treatment.
c) transport the patient without providing any treatment.
d) decide on further action once the DNR order is produced. - Correct Answer :a) begin treatment and contact
medical control as needed.
P 3
, • EMS Protocols 09/11/2026
Exam
Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
a) Always work toe-to-head.
b) Examine extremities first.
c) Avoid touching without permission.
d) Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABC's. - Correct Answer :c) Avoid touching without
permission.
A 67-year-old male presents with weakness, dizziness, and melena that began approximately 2 days ago. He
denies a history of trauma. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his pulse is 120 beats/min and thready. You
should be MOST suspicious that this patient is experiencing:
a) an aortic aneurysm.
b) acute appendicitis.
c) gastrointestinal bleeding.
d) intrathoracic hemorrhaging. - Correct Answer :c) gastrointestinal bleeding.
In which of the following patients should you remove an impaled object?
a) A semiconscious patient with an ice pick impaled in the chest
b) An apneic patient with a shard of glass impaled in the abdomen
c) A pulseless and apneic patient with a knife impaled in the back
d) A conscious and alert patient with a fishhook impaled in the eye - Correct Answer :c) A pulseless and apneic
patient with a knife impaled in the back
Urinary tract infections are more common in ____________.
a) women
b) men
c) sedentary adults
d) active adults - Correct Answer :a) women
P 4
