EMT 115 Exam Study Guide 2026 | Complete Review | Graded A+ 145 questions with the correct answer marked on every item, covering all the core content tested on the EMT 115 exam.
Important — scope of this document: this set covers EMT 115 emergency medical technician content only. It is a study aid designed to reinforce your understanding — not a brain dump or leaked exam.
What's covered:
Cardiac anatomy and physiology – right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, tricuspid valve, pulmonary semilunar valve, interventricular septum, heart chambers and blood flow
Cardiac conduction system – sinoatrial (SA) node as natural pacemaker, atrioventricular (AV) node, Bundle of His, Purkinje fibers, bradycardia and conduction malfunctions, electrical impulse initiation
Respiratory emergencies – pulmonary gas exchange, partial pressure gradients, alveolar ventilation-perfusion coupling, hypoxia causes, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress signs
Respiratory mechanics – inhalation and exhalation physiology, diaphragm contraction and relaxation, thoracic volume changes, pressure differences, impaired exhalation and carbon dioxide accumulation
Airway management – nasopharyngeal airway, oropharyngeal airway, epiglottis, larynx, vallecula, glottic opening, airway obstruction recognition, stridor, snoring, gurgling, suctioning
Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions – epinephrine administration, airway obstruction, cardiovascular collapse, bronchiolar dilation, antihistamines, immediate treatment urgency
Poisoning – ingestion, inhalation, injection, absorption routes, most common poisoning method, assessment and management
Stroke assessment – Cincinnati Stroke Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, global aphasia, left hemisphere vs right hemisphere damage, slurred speech, paralysis, thrombolytic therapy
Diabetic emergencies – hypoglycemia onset, hyperglycemia complications, diabetic ketoacidosis, ketone production from fat metabolism, insulin deficiency, BGL management, chronic complications including kidney failure, blindness, foot ulcers, coronary heart disease
Ischemic heart disease – coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, aspirin administration and mechanism of action, nitroglycerin effects, blood pressure monitoring, hypotension after nitroglycerin, chest pain management
Emergency medications – aspirin 325 mg, nitroglycerin, epinephrine, oxygen as a drug, analgesics for pediatric pain, bronchodilators, CPAP
Oxygen therapy – oxygen flow meters (Thorpe tube, Bourdon gauge, variable orifice, digital), gravity-independent flow meters, supplemental oxygen, cellular respiration, oxygen delivery and saturation
Pediatric emergencies – fontanelle assessment, 20-month-old anterior fontanelle, respiratory failure as primary cause of pediatric cardiac arrest, croup, epiglottitis, foreign body aspiration, pediatric pain management, extremity injuries
Spina bifida – neural tube defect, embryonic midline closure defect, spinal cord involvement, mobility implications, ongoing medical care
Head injury management – intracranial pressure, positive pressure ventilation considerations, ventilation effectiveness, immediate reassessment, blood pressure monitoring
Shock and perfusion – cellular death from oxygen deprivation, anaerobic respiration, organ dysfunction, hypoxemia, aerobic respiration deficits
Triage and mass casualty incidents – triage officer role, treatment prioritization, severity assessment, life-threatening conditions, patient outcomes, immediate care determination
Rescue and extrication – simple access, extrication, trench rescue, trench wall stabilization, vehicle stabilization, cribbing, search and rescue roles, EMT scene leadership, patient removal from dangerous situations
EMS systems – EMT responsibilities, scene leadership, patient care, documentation, incident command, American Heart Association protocols, evidence-based research, EMS system definition, emergency care and transportation
Patient communication – building rapport, active listening, empathetic communication, gaining patient confidence, encouraging treatment compliance, avoiding medical jargon
Sympathetic nervous system – fight or flight response, heart rate increase, bronchodilation, vasoconstriction, digestive inhibition, blood flow to skeletal muscles
Eye and eyelid anatomy – thinnest skin on eyelids, flexibility for blinking, injury treatment considerations, minimizing scarring
Pediatric vs adult differences – cardiac arrest causes, respiratory failure vs cardiac issues, age-specific tachycardia thresholds, pediatric assessment considerations
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EMT 115 Exam Questions & Answers 2026 | High-Yield Review |
Graded A+
1. Which chamber of the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood
from the body?
Right atrium
Left atrium
Left ventricle
Right ventricle
2. Based on the diagram of the cardiac conduction system, which structure is
responsible for initiating the electrical impulse of the heart?
Purkinje fibers
AV node
SA node
Bundle of His
3. If a pediatric patient is 20 months old and the anterior fontanelle is still open,
what might this indicate about their development?
Potential developmental delays or abnormalities
Increased brain size
Improper skull formation
Normal development
4. Why is it crucial to ensure the airway is clear before assessing respiratory
adequacy in a semiconscious infant or child?
, To prevent obstruction and ensure accurate assessment of
breathing
To evaluate neurological function
To determine the heart rate
To prepare for possible intubation
5. In a scenario where a patient presents with chest pain and is suspected of
having a heart attack, what would be the appropriate initial treatment
involving aspirin?
Administer 325 mg of aspirin orally, unless contraindicated.
Give the patient nitroglycerin immediately.
Wait for the patient to arrive at the hospital before administering any
medication.
Perform CPR right away.
6. In a patient with cystic fibrosis experiencing respiratory distress, which
treatment protocol would be most appropriate to manage their condition?
Use bronchodilators only without further assessment.
Provide high-flow oxygen without any additional interventions.
Administer CPAP to assist with breathing and improve oxygenation.
Initiate chest compressions immediately.
7. Describe why the eyelids have the thinnest skin compared to other areas of
the body.
The eyelids have thin skin to enhance sensory perception.
The eyelids have thin skin to facilitate the absorption of moisture.
, The eyelids have the thinnest skin to allow for flexibility and
movement, which is essential for blinking and protecting the eyes.
The eyelids have thick skin to provide protection from injury.
8. You are carding for a 68 y/o man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis
and slurred speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min
with adequate depth, and his O2 saturation is 98%. Assessment for this patient
should include:
HPI
Glasgow Coma Scale
Cincinnati Stroke Scale
All of the above
9. Increased ketone production is most likely to result from:
Starvation
A very low carbohydrate diet
Untreated diabetes
All of these choices are correct
10. In order for there to be a successful gas exchange within the lungs which of
the following needs to occur?
Proper concentration gradients need to be present
There needs to be a short and direct path
There needs to be a sufficient surface area for exchange
All of these need to occur
, 11. The EMT's primary responsibility during a rescue or extrication situation is
.
patient care
documentation
crowd control
incident command
12. In a scenario where a semiconscious child is found unresponsive and
breathing is labored, what should be your immediate action before assessing
their respiratory adequacy?
Clear the airway
Call for emergency services
Administer CPR
Provide supplemental oxygen
13. The removal of a patient from a dangerous situation or position, such as
removal from a wrecked vehicle is known as:
simple access.
extraction.
tactical access.
extrication.
14. Which of the following statements about anaphylaxis is true?
A person experiencing anaphylaxis may have trouble breathing and
go into shock.