EMT PATIENT ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Instructions: This practice exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core patient
assessment content tested on the NREMT and state EMT certification exams. Topics include scene size-
up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, reassessment, and clinical decision-making.
1. What is the first priority upon arriving at any emergency scene?
A. Patient assessment
B. Scene safety
C. Obtaining a history
D. Checking vital signs
Correct Answer: B — Scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is always the first priority. An injured EMT
cannot help anyone. Assess for hazards before approaching the patient
.
2. Which personal protective equipment is the minimum standard for
all patient contacts?
,A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and eye protection
C. Gloves, eye protection, and mask
D. Full hazmat suit
Correct Answer: A — Gloves only
Rationale: Gloves are the minimum standard for all patient contacts.
Additional PPE is based on the nature of the call and anticipated
exposure .
3. You arrive at a scene with a strong smell of natural gas. What is your
first action?
A. Enter and evacuate patients
B. Call for gas company
C. Retreat to a safe distance and call for appropriate resources
D. Turn off the gas main
Correct Answer: C — Retreat to a safe distance and call for appropriate
resources
,Rationale: Natural gas is explosive. Retreat to a safe distance and
request the fire department and gas company. Do not enter the scene .
4. A patient is unresponsive in a running vehicle inside a closed garage.
What is the priority?
A. Assess blood glucose
B. Open the garage door and remove the patient
C. Begin CPR immediately
D. Administer oxygen
Correct Answer: B — Open the garage door and remove the patient
Rationale: The scene is hazardous due to carbon monoxide. Remove
the patient from the environment before treating. Scene safety
precedes patient care .
5. What does MOI stand for?
A. Medical Observation Index
B. Mechanism of Injury
, C. Method of Intubation
D. Management of Illness
Correct Answer: B — Mechanism of Injury
Rationale: MOI refers to the mechanism of injury—how the trauma
occurred. It is a key component of scene size-up that helps determine
assessment priorities .
6. Which of the following indicates a potentially violent scene?
A. Patient is calm and cooperative
B. Patient is yelling and clenching fists
C. Family members are crying
D. Patient asks for help
Correct Answer: B — Patient is yelling and clenching fists
Rationale: Yelling and clenched fists are warning signs of potential
violence. Request law enforcement if needed before approaching the
patient .
WITH SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Instructions: This practice exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core patient
assessment content tested on the NREMT and state EMT certification exams. Topics include scene size-
up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, reassessment, and clinical decision-making.
1. What is the first priority upon arriving at any emergency scene?
A. Patient assessment
B. Scene safety
C. Obtaining a history
D. Checking vital signs
Correct Answer: B — Scene safety
Rationale: Scene safety is always the first priority. An injured EMT
cannot help anyone. Assess for hazards before approaching the patient
.
2. Which personal protective equipment is the minimum standard for
all patient contacts?
,A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and eye protection
C. Gloves, eye protection, and mask
D. Full hazmat suit
Correct Answer: A — Gloves only
Rationale: Gloves are the minimum standard for all patient contacts.
Additional PPE is based on the nature of the call and anticipated
exposure .
3. You arrive at a scene with a strong smell of natural gas. What is your
first action?
A. Enter and evacuate patients
B. Call for gas company
C. Retreat to a safe distance and call for appropriate resources
D. Turn off the gas main
Correct Answer: C — Retreat to a safe distance and call for appropriate
resources
,Rationale: Natural gas is explosive. Retreat to a safe distance and
request the fire department and gas company. Do not enter the scene .
4. A patient is unresponsive in a running vehicle inside a closed garage.
What is the priority?
A. Assess blood glucose
B. Open the garage door and remove the patient
C. Begin CPR immediately
D. Administer oxygen
Correct Answer: B — Open the garage door and remove the patient
Rationale: The scene is hazardous due to carbon monoxide. Remove
the patient from the environment before treating. Scene safety
precedes patient care .
5. What does MOI stand for?
A. Medical Observation Index
B. Mechanism of Injury
, C. Method of Intubation
D. Management of Illness
Correct Answer: B — Mechanism of Injury
Rationale: MOI refers to the mechanism of injury—how the trauma
occurred. It is a key component of scene size-up that helps determine
assessment priorities .
6. Which of the following indicates a potentially violent scene?
A. Patient is calm and cooperative
B. Patient is yelling and clenching fists
C. Family members are crying
D. Patient asks for help
Correct Answer: B — Patient is yelling and clenching fists
Rationale: Yelling and clenched fists are warning signs of potential
violence. Request law enforcement if needed before approaching the
patient .
