SAR Tech III 2026/2027 | SARTECH III Search and Rescue
Technician Certification Exam Study Guide, Practice Questions
with Answers & Rationales, Lost Person Behavior, Search Tactics,
Clue Awareness, Land Navigation, Incident Command System,
Search Operations, Communications, SAR Resources &
Responder Safety
Question 1: A 62-year-old man presents with sudden-onset severe abdominal
pain and is found to have a pulsatile abdominal mass. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute pancreatitis
B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
C. Perforated peptic ulcer
D. Acute cholecystitis
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Rationale: The triad of sudden severe abdominal pain, a pulsatile abdominal mass,
and hypotension is classic for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Acute
pancreatitis typically presents with epigastric pain radiating to the back and
elevated lipase. Perforated peptic ulcer causes sudden severe pain with board-like
rigidity. Acute cholecystitis presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and
Murphy's sign.
Question 2: Which of the following is the most common cause of community-
acquired pneumonia in adults?
A. Haemophilus influenzae
B. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Legionella pneumophila
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common cause of
community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Haemophilus influenzae is more
common in patients with underlying lung disease. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is
common in young adults and causes atypical pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila
is associated with contaminated water sources and causes atypical pneumonia.
,Question 3: A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue, weight gain, and cold
intolerance. Which of the following laboratory findings is most consistent with
hypothyroidism?
A. Elevated TSH, low free T4
B. Low TSH, elevated free T4
C. Elevated TSH, elevated free T4
D. Low TSH, low free T4
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Elevated TSH, low free T4
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism is characterized by elevated TSH and low free
T4 due to failure of the thyroid gland to produce adequate thyroid hormone. Low
TSH with elevated free T4 indicates hyperthyroidism. Elevated TSH with elevated
free T4 suggests TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Low TSH with low free T4
indicates central hypothyroidism.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management
for a patient with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction?
A. Immediate coronary angiography
B. Aspirin, nitroglycerin, and morphine
C. Thrombolytic therapy if PCI is unavailable within 120 minutes
D. Beta-blocker monotherapy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Thrombolytic therapy if PCI is unavailable within 120
minutes
Rationale: For STEMI, primary PCI is preferred if available within 120 minutes of
first medical contact. If not, thrombolytic therapy should be administered within
30 minutes of presentation. Aspirin, nitroglycerin, and morphine are supportive
but not definitive. Immediate angiography is ideal but not always available. Beta-
blocker monotherapy is insufficient.
Question 5: A 30-year-old man presents with a painless chancre on his penis.
Which of the following is the causative organism?
A. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
B. Treponema pallidum
,C. Chlamydia trachomatis
D. Haemophilus ducreyi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Treponema pallidum
Rationale: A painless chancre is the classic presentation of primary syphilis,
caused by Treponema pallidum. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes purulent urethritis.
Chlamydia trachomatis causes non-gonococcal urethritis. Haemophilus ducreyi
causes chancroid, which presents with a painful ulcer.
Question 6: Which of the following is the most common type of kidney stone?
A. Uric acid
B. Struvite
C. Calcium oxalate
D. Cystine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Calcium oxalate
Rationale: Calcium oxalate stones account for approximately 80% of all kidney
stones. Uric acid stones account for about 5-10%. Struvite stones are associated
with urinary tract infections. Cystine stones are rare and due to an inherited
metabolic disorder.
Question 7: A 55-year-old woman presents with a breast mass. Which of the
following is the most common type of breast cancer?
A. Lobular carcinoma
B. Ductal carcinoma in situ
C. Invasive ductal carcinoma
D. Medullary carcinoma
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Invasive ductal carcinoma
Rationale: Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer,
accounting for about 70-80% of all cases. Lobular carcinoma is the second most
common. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive precursor. Medullary
carcinoma is a rare subtype.
Question 8: Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for
anaphylaxis?
, A. Oral antihistamines
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Intravenous corticosteroids
D. Inhaled albuterol
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Intramuscular epinephrine
Rationale: Intramuscular epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It
reverses bronchospasm, hypotension, and angioedema. Antihistamines and
corticosteroids are adjuncts but not definitive. Inhaled albuterol may help with
bronchospasm but does not address systemic symptoms.
Question 9: A 70-year-old man presents with sudden painless loss of vision in
one eye. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
B. Central retinal artery occlusion
C. Retinal detachment
D. Vitreous hemorrhage
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Central retinal artery occlusion
Rationale: Central retinal artery occlusion presents with sudden, painless,
monocular vision loss. Acute angle-closure glaucoma causes painful vision loss
with a red eye. Retinal detachment presents with flashes, floaters, and a curtain-
like visual field defect. Vitreous hemorrhage causes sudden vision loss with
floaters and is often associated with diabetes or trauma.
Question 10: Which of the following is the most common cause of peptic ulcer
disease?
A. Helicobacter pylori
B. NSAID use
C. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
D. Stress
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Helicobacter pylori
Rationale: Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease,
accounting for about 70-80% of cases. NSAID use is the second most common
Technician Certification Exam Study Guide, Practice Questions
with Answers & Rationales, Lost Person Behavior, Search Tactics,
Clue Awareness, Land Navigation, Incident Command System,
Search Operations, Communications, SAR Resources &
Responder Safety
Question 1: A 62-year-old man presents with sudden-onset severe abdominal
pain and is found to have a pulsatile abdominal mass. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute pancreatitis
B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
C. Perforated peptic ulcer
D. Acute cholecystitis
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Rationale: The triad of sudden severe abdominal pain, a pulsatile abdominal mass,
and hypotension is classic for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Acute
pancreatitis typically presents with epigastric pain radiating to the back and
elevated lipase. Perforated peptic ulcer causes sudden severe pain with board-like
rigidity. Acute cholecystitis presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and
Murphy's sign.
Question 2: Which of the following is the most common cause of community-
acquired pneumonia in adults?
A. Haemophilus influenzae
B. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Legionella pneumophila
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common cause of
community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Haemophilus influenzae is more
common in patients with underlying lung disease. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is
common in young adults and causes atypical pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila
is associated with contaminated water sources and causes atypical pneumonia.
,Question 3: A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue, weight gain, and cold
intolerance. Which of the following laboratory findings is most consistent with
hypothyroidism?
A. Elevated TSH, low free T4
B. Low TSH, elevated free T4
C. Elevated TSH, elevated free T4
D. Low TSH, low free T4
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Elevated TSH, low free T4
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism is characterized by elevated TSH and low free
T4 due to failure of the thyroid gland to produce adequate thyroid hormone. Low
TSH with elevated free T4 indicates hyperthyroidism. Elevated TSH with elevated
free T4 suggests TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Low TSH with low free T4
indicates central hypothyroidism.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management
for a patient with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction?
A. Immediate coronary angiography
B. Aspirin, nitroglycerin, and morphine
C. Thrombolytic therapy if PCI is unavailable within 120 minutes
D. Beta-blocker monotherapy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Thrombolytic therapy if PCI is unavailable within 120
minutes
Rationale: For STEMI, primary PCI is preferred if available within 120 minutes of
first medical contact. If not, thrombolytic therapy should be administered within
30 minutes of presentation. Aspirin, nitroglycerin, and morphine are supportive
but not definitive. Immediate angiography is ideal but not always available. Beta-
blocker monotherapy is insufficient.
Question 5: A 30-year-old man presents with a painless chancre on his penis.
Which of the following is the causative organism?
A. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
B. Treponema pallidum
,C. Chlamydia trachomatis
D. Haemophilus ducreyi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Treponema pallidum
Rationale: A painless chancre is the classic presentation of primary syphilis,
caused by Treponema pallidum. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes purulent urethritis.
Chlamydia trachomatis causes non-gonococcal urethritis. Haemophilus ducreyi
causes chancroid, which presents with a painful ulcer.
Question 6: Which of the following is the most common type of kidney stone?
A. Uric acid
B. Struvite
C. Calcium oxalate
D. Cystine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Calcium oxalate
Rationale: Calcium oxalate stones account for approximately 80% of all kidney
stones. Uric acid stones account for about 5-10%. Struvite stones are associated
with urinary tract infections. Cystine stones are rare and due to an inherited
metabolic disorder.
Question 7: A 55-year-old woman presents with a breast mass. Which of the
following is the most common type of breast cancer?
A. Lobular carcinoma
B. Ductal carcinoma in situ
C. Invasive ductal carcinoma
D. Medullary carcinoma
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Invasive ductal carcinoma
Rationale: Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer,
accounting for about 70-80% of all cases. Lobular carcinoma is the second most
common. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive precursor. Medullary
carcinoma is a rare subtype.
Question 8: Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for
anaphylaxis?
, A. Oral antihistamines
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Intravenous corticosteroids
D. Inhaled albuterol
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Intramuscular epinephrine
Rationale: Intramuscular epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It
reverses bronchospasm, hypotension, and angioedema. Antihistamines and
corticosteroids are adjuncts but not definitive. Inhaled albuterol may help with
bronchospasm but does not address systemic symptoms.
Question 9: A 70-year-old man presents with sudden painless loss of vision in
one eye. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
B. Central retinal artery occlusion
C. Retinal detachment
D. Vitreous hemorrhage
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Central retinal artery occlusion
Rationale: Central retinal artery occlusion presents with sudden, painless,
monocular vision loss. Acute angle-closure glaucoma causes painful vision loss
with a red eye. Retinal detachment presents with flashes, floaters, and a curtain-
like visual field defect. Vitreous hemorrhage causes sudden vision loss with
floaters and is often associated with diabetes or trauma.
Question 10: Which of the following is the most common cause of peptic ulcer
disease?
A. Helicobacter pylori
B. NSAID use
C. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
D. Stress
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Helicobacter pylori
Rationale: Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease,
accounting for about 70-80% of cases. NSAID use is the second most common
