WEST COAST EMT PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 68-year-old female presents with sudden onset shortness of breath and sharp chest pain
that increases with deep inspiration. She recently underwent hip surgery. Her heart rate is
112 bpm, BP is 130/84 mmHg, and SpO2 is 88% on room air. What is the most likely
condition?
A. Acute Myocardial Infarction
B. Pulmonary Embolism
C. Congestive Heart Failure
D. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and
hypoxia following recent surgery are classic signs of a Pulmonary Embolism due to
prolonged immobility.
,2. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of distributive shock?
A. Mechanical obstruction of the heart or great vessels
B. Pump failure resulting in decreased cardiac output
C. Widespread vasodilation causing a relative hypovolemia
D. Internal or external fluid loss decreasing blood volume
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Distributive shock (e.g., septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic)
involves widespread vasodilation, which increases the vascular container’s size, leading to
relative hypovolemia despite normal fluid volume.
3. A 24-year-old male was involved in a high-speed MVC. He is cyanotic and showing signs of
respiratory distress. You note paradoxical motion of a segment of his right chest wall. What is
the immediate management priority?
A. Provide positive pressure ventilation with a BVM
B. Apply a bulky dressing to the segment
C. Perform a needle decompression
D. Apply high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Paradoxical motion indicates a flail chest. The priority is
stabilizing the segment and improving oxygenation via positive pressure ventilation, which
acts as internal splinting.
4. During the assessment of a patient with a head injury, you observe a blood pressure of
190/110 mmHg, a pulse of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Beck’s Triad
B. Cushing’s Triad
C. Decompensated Shock
D. Autonomic Dysreflexia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Triad (hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure.
5. You are treating a 4-year-old child with a high fever, drooling, and a sitting-forward
‘sniffing’ position. Which action is contraindicated?
A. Attempting to visualize the airway with a tongue depressor
B. Transporting in a position of comfort
C. Providing blow-by oxygen
D. Administering humidified oxygen
Answer: A
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 68-year-old female presents with sudden onset shortness of breath and sharp chest pain
that increases with deep inspiration. She recently underwent hip surgery. Her heart rate is
112 bpm, BP is 130/84 mmHg, and SpO2 is 88% on room air. What is the most likely
condition?
A. Acute Myocardial Infarction
B. Pulmonary Embolism
C. Congestive Heart Failure
D. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and
hypoxia following recent surgery are classic signs of a Pulmonary Embolism due to
prolonged immobility.
,2. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of distributive shock?
A. Mechanical obstruction of the heart or great vessels
B. Pump failure resulting in decreased cardiac output
C. Widespread vasodilation causing a relative hypovolemia
D. Internal or external fluid loss decreasing blood volume
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Distributive shock (e.g., septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic)
involves widespread vasodilation, which increases the vascular container’s size, leading to
relative hypovolemia despite normal fluid volume.
3. A 24-year-old male was involved in a high-speed MVC. He is cyanotic and showing signs of
respiratory distress. You note paradoxical motion of a segment of his right chest wall. What is
the immediate management priority?
A. Provide positive pressure ventilation with a BVM
B. Apply a bulky dressing to the segment
C. Perform a needle decompression
D. Apply high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Paradoxical motion indicates a flail chest. The priority is
stabilizing the segment and improving oxygenation via positive pressure ventilation, which
acts as internal splinting.
4. During the assessment of a patient with a head injury, you observe a blood pressure of
190/110 mmHg, a pulse of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Beck’s Triad
B. Cushing’s Triad
C. Decompensated Shock
D. Autonomic Dysreflexia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Triad (hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure.
5. You are treating a 4-year-old child with a high fever, drooling, and a sitting-forward
‘sniffing’ position. Which action is contraindicated?
A. Attempting to visualize the airway with a tongue depressor
B. Transporting in a position of comfort
C. Providing blow-by oxygen
D. Administering humidified oxygen
Answer: A
