West Coast EMT Block 2 Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2027 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1.
An EMT arrives at the scene of a motor-vehicle collision and finds a
patient complaining of neck pain after striking the steering wheel. The
patient is alert and breathing normally. Which intervention should the
EMT perform first?
A. Apply a cervical collar
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Move the patient to the ambulance
Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: The EMT's initial assessment prioritizes life threats using
the primary assessment. Airway, breathing, and circulation must be
evaluated before secondary interventions such as obtaining vital signs
or applying a cervical collar.
2.
A patient with suspected spinal trauma is conscious and breathing
adequately. Which finding would most strongly suggest spinal cord
involvement?
A. Localized bruising over the shoulder
B. Numbness and weakness in both legs
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,C. Mild tenderness of the scalp
D. Superficial abrasion on the forearm
Answer: B. Numbness and weakness in both legs
Rationale: Bilateral weakness, numbness, paralysis, or loss of
sensation following trauma can indicate spinal cord injury. These
findings require careful spinal-motion restriction and rapid transport
when indicated.
3.
A patient involved in a high-speed collision has severe external bleeding
from the thigh. What should the EMT do first?
A. Apply a cervical collar
B. Control the bleeding
C. Obtain a SAMPLE history
D. Assess pupillary response
Answer: B. Control the bleeding
Rationale: Life-threatening external hemorrhage is addressed
immediately during the primary assessment. Direct pressure, a
tourniquet when appropriate, or another approved hemorrhage-
control method should be used promptly.
4.
A patient has a penetrating injury to the chest and is experiencing
severe respiratory distress. A sucking chest wound is visible. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Apply an occlusive dressing
B. Pack the wound deeply with gauze
C. Place the patient supine
D. Give the patient oral fluids
2|Page
,Answer: A. Apply an occlusive dressing
Rationale: An open chest wound allows air to enter the thoracic cavity
and may cause a pneumothorax. An appropriate occlusive dressing
helps prevent further air entry while the patient receives rapid
transport and ongoing respiratory assessment.
5.
Which finding is most characteristic of tension pneumothorax?
A. Slow pulse with warm skin
B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral diminished breath sounds
C. Bilateral crackles with dependent edema
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral diminished
breath sounds
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax can cause severe respiratory
compromise, unilateral decreased or absent breath sounds,
hypotension, jugular venous distention, and worsening shock. EMT
management emphasizes oxygenation/ventilation support and rapid
transport.
6.
A patient with blunt chest trauma has paradoxical movement of a
section of the chest wall during breathing. What condition does this
indicate?
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Flail chest
C. Simple pneumothorax
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: B. Flail chest
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, Rationale: Flail chest occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are fractured
in multiple places, producing an unstable segment that moves
paradoxically during respiration. It can significantly impair ventilation
and may be associated with pulmonary contusion.
7.
An EMT is assessing a patient with abdominal trauma. Which finding
should raise the greatest concern for serious internal bleeding?
A. Minor abdominal tenderness
B. Rigid, distended abdomen with signs of shock
C. Small superficial abrasion
D. Normal skin temperature
Answer: B. Rigid, distended abdomen with signs of shock
Rationale: A rigid or distended abdomen after trauma may indicate
significant internal injury or bleeding. When accompanied by
tachycardia, pallor, altered mental status, or hypotension, the patient
requires rapid transport and continued shock management.
8.
A patient has an open fracture of the lower leg with significant
bleeding. Which action is appropriate?
A. Attempt to push the bone back under the skin
B. Control bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile dressing
C. Straighten the leg forcefully
D. Have the patient walk to the ambulance
Answer: B. Control bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile
dressing
Rationale: EMTs should not attempt to replace exposed bone.
Bleeding should be controlled, the wound covered with a sterile
4|Page
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2027 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1.
An EMT arrives at the scene of a motor-vehicle collision and finds a
patient complaining of neck pain after striking the steering wheel. The
patient is alert and breathing normally. Which intervention should the
EMT perform first?
A. Apply a cervical collar
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Move the patient to the ambulance
Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: The EMT's initial assessment prioritizes life threats using
the primary assessment. Airway, breathing, and circulation must be
evaluated before secondary interventions such as obtaining vital signs
or applying a cervical collar.
2.
A patient with suspected spinal trauma is conscious and breathing
adequately. Which finding would most strongly suggest spinal cord
involvement?
A. Localized bruising over the shoulder
B. Numbness and weakness in both legs
1|Page
,C. Mild tenderness of the scalp
D. Superficial abrasion on the forearm
Answer: B. Numbness and weakness in both legs
Rationale: Bilateral weakness, numbness, paralysis, or loss of
sensation following trauma can indicate spinal cord injury. These
findings require careful spinal-motion restriction and rapid transport
when indicated.
3.
A patient involved in a high-speed collision has severe external bleeding
from the thigh. What should the EMT do first?
A. Apply a cervical collar
B. Control the bleeding
C. Obtain a SAMPLE history
D. Assess pupillary response
Answer: B. Control the bleeding
Rationale: Life-threatening external hemorrhage is addressed
immediately during the primary assessment. Direct pressure, a
tourniquet when appropriate, or another approved hemorrhage-
control method should be used promptly.
4.
A patient has a penetrating injury to the chest and is experiencing
severe respiratory distress. A sucking chest wound is visible. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Apply an occlusive dressing
B. Pack the wound deeply with gauze
C. Place the patient supine
D. Give the patient oral fluids
2|Page
,Answer: A. Apply an occlusive dressing
Rationale: An open chest wound allows air to enter the thoracic cavity
and may cause a pneumothorax. An appropriate occlusive dressing
helps prevent further air entry while the patient receives rapid
transport and ongoing respiratory assessment.
5.
Which finding is most characteristic of tension pneumothorax?
A. Slow pulse with warm skin
B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral diminished breath sounds
C. Bilateral crackles with dependent edema
D. Increased bowel sounds
Answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral diminished
breath sounds
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax can cause severe respiratory
compromise, unilateral decreased or absent breath sounds,
hypotension, jugular venous distention, and worsening shock. EMT
management emphasizes oxygenation/ventilation support and rapid
transport.
6.
A patient with blunt chest trauma has paradoxical movement of a
section of the chest wall during breathing. What condition does this
indicate?
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Flail chest
C. Simple pneumothorax
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: B. Flail chest
3|Page
, Rationale: Flail chest occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are fractured
in multiple places, producing an unstable segment that moves
paradoxically during respiration. It can significantly impair ventilation
and may be associated with pulmonary contusion.
7.
An EMT is assessing a patient with abdominal trauma. Which finding
should raise the greatest concern for serious internal bleeding?
A. Minor abdominal tenderness
B. Rigid, distended abdomen with signs of shock
C. Small superficial abrasion
D. Normal skin temperature
Answer: B. Rigid, distended abdomen with signs of shock
Rationale: A rigid or distended abdomen after trauma may indicate
significant internal injury or bleeding. When accompanied by
tachycardia, pallor, altered mental status, or hypotension, the patient
requires rapid transport and continued shock management.
8.
A patient has an open fracture of the lower leg with significant
bleeding. Which action is appropriate?
A. Attempt to push the bone back under the skin
B. Control bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile dressing
C. Straighten the leg forcefully
D. Have the patient walk to the ambulance
Answer: B. Control bleeding and cover the wound with a sterile
dressing
Rationale: EMTs should not attempt to replace exposed bone.
Bleeding should be controlled, the wound covered with a sterile
4|Page
