NYS EMT-B State Exam 2026/27 Updated
Questions & Answers (Verified Answers),
100% Guaranteed Pass ||Complete A+
Guide
AIRWAY, BREATHING & PATIENT ASSESSMENT
1. You arrive at a patient who is unresponsive. What should an EMT assess first?
A. Blood glucose
B. Airway and breathing
C. Past medical history
D. Medication list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An unresponsive patient's immediate life threats must be assessed first. Airway
patency and adequate breathing are fundamental priorities in the initial assessment.
2. Which finding most strongly indicates an inadequate airway?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Equal chest rise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Snoring commonly indicates partial upper-airway obstruction, often caused by the
tongue in an unconscious patient.
3. What is the most appropriate initial action for an unresponsive patient with no suspected
trauma and an obstructed airway from the tongue?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Apply a tourniquet
D. Place the patient prone
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the absence of suspected spinal trauma, the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is used to
open the airway.
4. When spinal injury is suspected, the EMT should generally open the airway using:
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Blind finger sweep
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver can open the airway while minimizing movement of the
cervical spine.
5. Which finding is most concerning for severe respiratory distress?
A. Speaking comfortably in full sentences
B. Normal skin color
C. Severe accessory-muscle use and inability to speak normally
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min with normal effort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe accessory-muscle use and inability to speak normally indicate significant
respiratory compromise.
6. Which patient should receive the highest priority?
A. Patient with a minor ankle injury
B. Patient with mild headache
C. Patient with severe respiratory distress
D. Patient requesting transport for a chronic condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing problems can rapidly become life-threatening and take priority.
,7. Cyanosis generally indicates:
A. Adequate oxygenation
B. Possible inadequate oxygenation
C. Normal circulation
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis can indicate inadequate oxygenation, although it is a relatively late and
unreliable sign of hypoxia.
8. Which respiratory rate is generally considered abnormal for a resting adult?
A. 6/min
B. 16/min
C. 18/min
D. 20/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6/min represents significant bradypnea and may indicate
inadequate ventilation, especially if associated with poor tidal volume.
9. A patient has shallow respirations at 6/min and is becoming cyanotic. The EMT should
recognize this as:
A. Adequate breathing
B. Respiratory failure
C. Normal anxiety
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Slow, shallow breathing with signs of inadequate oxygenation is a respiratory
emergency requiring immediate intervention.
10. The primary purpose of ventilation is to:
, A. Move air into and out of the lungs
B. Increase blood pressure
C. Digest food
D. Produce glucose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.
11. Oxygenation refers primarily to:
A. Movement of air into the lungs
B. Loading oxygen onto blood
C. Movement of blood through arteries only
D. Removal of food from the stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygenation involves transferring oxygen into the blood, primarily at the alveolar-
capillary membrane.
12. Which device is commonly used to provide high-concentration oxygen to a spontaneously
breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Oral airway
D. Suction catheter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver a high concentration of oxygen to a patient who is
breathing adequately.
13. A nasal cannula is generally most appropriate for a patient who:
A. Is apneic
B. Requires assisted ventilation
C. Is breathing adequately but requires supplemental oxygen
D. Has a completely obstructed airway
Questions & Answers (Verified Answers),
100% Guaranteed Pass ||Complete A+
Guide
AIRWAY, BREATHING & PATIENT ASSESSMENT
1. You arrive at a patient who is unresponsive. What should an EMT assess first?
A. Blood glucose
B. Airway and breathing
C. Past medical history
D. Medication list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An unresponsive patient's immediate life threats must be assessed first. Airway
patency and adequate breathing are fundamental priorities in the initial assessment.
2. Which finding most strongly indicates an inadequate airway?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Equal chest rise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Snoring commonly indicates partial upper-airway obstruction, often caused by the
tongue in an unconscious patient.
3. What is the most appropriate initial action for an unresponsive patient with no suspected
trauma and an obstructed airway from the tongue?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Apply a tourniquet
D. Place the patient prone
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the absence of suspected spinal trauma, the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is used to
open the airway.
4. When spinal injury is suspected, the EMT should generally open the airway using:
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Blind finger sweep
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver can open the airway while minimizing movement of the
cervical spine.
5. Which finding is most concerning for severe respiratory distress?
A. Speaking comfortably in full sentences
B. Normal skin color
C. Severe accessory-muscle use and inability to speak normally
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min with normal effort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe accessory-muscle use and inability to speak normally indicate significant
respiratory compromise.
6. Which patient should receive the highest priority?
A. Patient with a minor ankle injury
B. Patient with mild headache
C. Patient with severe respiratory distress
D. Patient requesting transport for a chronic condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing problems can rapidly become life-threatening and take priority.
,7. Cyanosis generally indicates:
A. Adequate oxygenation
B. Possible inadequate oxygenation
C. Normal circulation
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis can indicate inadequate oxygenation, although it is a relatively late and
unreliable sign of hypoxia.
8. Which respiratory rate is generally considered abnormal for a resting adult?
A. 6/min
B. 16/min
C. 18/min
D. 20/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 6/min represents significant bradypnea and may indicate
inadequate ventilation, especially if associated with poor tidal volume.
9. A patient has shallow respirations at 6/min and is becoming cyanotic. The EMT should
recognize this as:
A. Adequate breathing
B. Respiratory failure
C. Normal anxiety
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Slow, shallow breathing with signs of inadequate oxygenation is a respiratory
emergency requiring immediate intervention.
10. The primary purpose of ventilation is to:
, A. Move air into and out of the lungs
B. Increase blood pressure
C. Digest food
D. Produce glucose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventilation is the mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.
11. Oxygenation refers primarily to:
A. Movement of air into the lungs
B. Loading oxygen onto blood
C. Movement of blood through arteries only
D. Removal of food from the stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygenation involves transferring oxygen into the blood, primarily at the alveolar-
capillary membrane.
12. Which device is commonly used to provide high-concentration oxygen to a spontaneously
breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Oral airway
D. Suction catheter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver a high concentration of oxygen to a patient who is
breathing adequately.
13. A nasal cannula is generally most appropriate for a patient who:
A. Is apneic
B. Requires assisted ventilation
C. Is breathing adequately but requires supplemental oxygen
D. Has a completely obstructed airway
