West Coast EMT Block 1 Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2027 Latest Update|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the EMT's first priority when arriving at the scene of an
emergency?
A. Determine the patient's medical history
B. Begin taking vital signs
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply oxygen immediately
Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is the EMT's first priority. The provider must
identify hazards, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and
determine whether the scene is safe to enter before approaching the
patient. An unsafe scene can create additional victims and prevent
effective patient care.
2. Which finding is most indicative of inadequate breathing in an adult
patient?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min with normal depth
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min with clear speech
C. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest expansion
D. Respiratory rate of 20/min after mild exertion
1|Page
,Answer: C. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest expansion
Rationale: Inadequate breathing is characterized by insufficient rate,
depth, or effectiveness. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest
expansion may not provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation and
require immediate intervention.
3. An unresponsive adult has no normal breathing and no definite
pulse. What should the EMT do?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Place the patient in the recovery position
C. Begin CPR and apply an AED as soon as available
D. Obtain a complete medical history
Answer: C. Begin CPR and apply an AED as soon as available
Rationale: An unresponsive adult without normal breathing and a
definite pulse should be treated as cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR
and early defibrillation when indicated are essential components of
basic life support.
4. Which airway maneuver is generally preferred for opening the
airway of an unresponsive patient without suspected spinal trauma?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Recovery position
Answer: B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
2|Page
,Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is the standard method for
opening the airway when spinal injury is not suspected. If trauma with
possible cervical spine injury is suspected, a jaw-thrust maneuver is
generally preferred while maintaining spinal precautions.
5. Which finding is most concerning for airway obstruction?
A. Clear speech
B. Normal respiratory rate
C. Stridor and increasing respiratory distress
D. Mild nasal congestion
Answer: C. Stridor and increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound associated with
upper-airway narrowing. When accompanied by increasing
respiratory distress, it may indicate a serious or worsening airway
obstruction requiring immediate attention.
6. A conscious adult suddenly becomes unable to speak or cough after
eating. What should the EMT suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Severe foreign-body airway obstruction
D. Hyperventilation syndrome
Answer: C. Severe foreign-body airway obstruction
Rationale: Inability to speak, cough effectively, or breathe indicates
severe airway obstruction. Immediate intervention to relieve the
obstruction is required according to current BLS procedures.
3|Page
, 7. Which device is most appropriate for providing ventilations to an
apneic adult with a pulse?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Bag-valve mask with supplemental oxygen
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C. Bag-valve mask with supplemental oxygen
Rationale: An apneic patient with a pulse requires positive-pressure
ventilation. A bag-valve mask connected to supplemental oxygen can
deliver high-concentration oxygen while allowing the EMT to control
ventilation.
8. What is the primary purpose of supplemental oxygen
administration?
A. Increase blood pressure in every patient
B. Improve oxygen availability to tissues when indicated
C. Eliminate all respiratory distress
D. Replace the need for ventilation
Answer: B. Improve oxygen availability to tissues when indicated
Rationale: Oxygen is administered when clinically indicated to address
hypoxemia or inadequate oxygenation. Oxygen does not replace
adequate ventilation and should not be viewed as a universal
treatment for every patient.
9. Which patient is most likely experiencing respiratory distress?
4|Page
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2027 Latest Update|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the EMT's first priority when arriving at the scene of an
emergency?
A. Determine the patient's medical history
B. Begin taking vital signs
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply oxygen immediately
Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is the EMT's first priority. The provider must
identify hazards, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and
determine whether the scene is safe to enter before approaching the
patient. An unsafe scene can create additional victims and prevent
effective patient care.
2. Which finding is most indicative of inadequate breathing in an adult
patient?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min with normal depth
B. Respiratory rate of 22/min with clear speech
C. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest expansion
D. Respiratory rate of 20/min after mild exertion
1|Page
,Answer: C. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest expansion
Rationale: Inadequate breathing is characterized by insufficient rate,
depth, or effectiveness. Slow, shallow respirations with poor chest
expansion may not provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation and
require immediate intervention.
3. An unresponsive adult has no normal breathing and no definite
pulse. What should the EMT do?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Place the patient in the recovery position
C. Begin CPR and apply an AED as soon as available
D. Obtain a complete medical history
Answer: C. Begin CPR and apply an AED as soon as available
Rationale: An unresponsive adult without normal breathing and a
definite pulse should be treated as cardiac arrest. High-quality CPR
and early defibrillation when indicated are essential components of
basic life support.
4. Which airway maneuver is generally preferred for opening the
airway of an unresponsive patient without suspected spinal trauma?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Recovery position
Answer: B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
2|Page
,Rationale: The head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is the standard method for
opening the airway when spinal injury is not suspected. If trauma with
possible cervical spine injury is suspected, a jaw-thrust maneuver is
generally preferred while maintaining spinal precautions.
5. Which finding is most concerning for airway obstruction?
A. Clear speech
B. Normal respiratory rate
C. Stridor and increasing respiratory distress
D. Mild nasal congestion
Answer: C. Stridor and increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound associated with
upper-airway narrowing. When accompanied by increasing
respiratory distress, it may indicate a serious or worsening airway
obstruction requiring immediate attention.
6. A conscious adult suddenly becomes unable to speak or cough after
eating. What should the EMT suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Severe foreign-body airway obstruction
D. Hyperventilation syndrome
Answer: C. Severe foreign-body airway obstruction
Rationale: Inability to speak, cough effectively, or breathe indicates
severe airway obstruction. Immediate intervention to relieve the
obstruction is required according to current BLS procedures.
3|Page
, 7. Which device is most appropriate for providing ventilations to an
apneic adult with a pulse?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Bag-valve mask with supplemental oxygen
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C. Bag-valve mask with supplemental oxygen
Rationale: An apneic patient with a pulse requires positive-pressure
ventilation. A bag-valve mask connected to supplemental oxygen can
deliver high-concentration oxygen while allowing the EMT to control
ventilation.
8. What is the primary purpose of supplemental oxygen
administration?
A. Increase blood pressure in every patient
B. Improve oxygen availability to tissues when indicated
C. Eliminate all respiratory distress
D. Replace the need for ventilation
Answer: B. Improve oxygen availability to tissues when indicated
Rationale: Oxygen is administered when clinically indicated to address
hypoxemia or inadequate oxygenation. Oxygen does not replace
adequate ventilation and should not be viewed as a universal
treatment for every patient.
9. Which patient is most likely experiencing respiratory distress?
4|Page
