NYC Emergency Medical Specialist Exam 2026 – 195 EMT-Level
Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, NYC
REMAC Protocols, Patient Assessment, Emergency Care, Trauma,
Medical Emergencies & EMT Scope of Practice
Section 1: Patient Assessment and Initial Management
Question 1
You arrive at the scene of a reported cardiac arrest. A bystander is performing CPR. What is
your FIRST priority upon arrival?
A. Apply an automated external defibrillator
B. Confirm scene safety and assess the patient's responsiveness
C. Begin chest compressions immediately
D. Obtain a medical history from the bystander
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Scene safety precedes all patient care. Confirm the patient's unresponsiveness
before intervening to ensure appropriate action.
Question 2
During the primary assessment of a 45-year-old male, you note gurgling sounds with each
breath. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Apply high-flow oxygen via nonrebreather mask
,C. Suction the airway
D. Perform a head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Suction removes liquid obstructions like secretions, blood, or vomitus. Airway
adjuncts follow suctioning when indicated.
Question 3
A patient is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. Your partner begins chest compressions.
When should you apply the AED?
A. After 5 cycles of CPR are completed
B. As soon as it becomes available and without interrupting compressions
C. Only after establishing IV access
D. After delivering two rescue breaths
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Defibrillation is time-critical in VF and pulseless VT. The AED should be applied
immediately with minimal interruption to compressions.
Question 4
You are assessing a 62-year-old female with difficulty breathing. She is speaking in full
sentences but has audible wheezing. Her respiratory rate is 24. What is the most appropriate
initial action?
,A. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask
B. Administer oxygen and obtain a focused history
C. Place her supine and reassess
D. Perform a detailed secondary assessment immediately
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Adequate breathing with distress warrants oxygen therapy and history while
monitoring for deterioration. Full sentences indicate sufficient air movement.
Question 5
A 30-year-old male is found unresponsive after a suspected drug overdose. His respiratory
rate is 6 and shallow. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Place him in the recovery position
C. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask
D. Obtain a blood glucose reading
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Inadequate ventilation requires immediate assisted ventilation. Naloxone
follows ventilatory support since airway and breathing take precedence.
Question 6
During assessment of a trauma patient, you note clear fluid draining from the nose. What
condition should you suspect?
, A. Allergic rhinitis
B. Cerebrospinal fluid leak
C. Epistaxis from dry air
D. Sinus infection
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Clear fluid from the nose after trauma suggests basilar skull fracture with CSF
leak. Nasal airways are contraindicated in this situation.
Question 7
A 55-year-old male complains of sudden severe tearing chest pain radiating to his back. He
has unequal blood pressures in each arm. What should you suspect?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Aortic dissection
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Tearing pain with unequal pulses and blood pressures is classic for aortic
dissection. Rapid transport is critical as this is immediately life-threatening.
Question 8
Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, NYC
REMAC Protocols, Patient Assessment, Emergency Care, Trauma,
Medical Emergencies & EMT Scope of Practice
Section 1: Patient Assessment and Initial Management
Question 1
You arrive at the scene of a reported cardiac arrest. A bystander is performing CPR. What is
your FIRST priority upon arrival?
A. Apply an automated external defibrillator
B. Confirm scene safety and assess the patient's responsiveness
C. Begin chest compressions immediately
D. Obtain a medical history from the bystander
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Scene safety precedes all patient care. Confirm the patient's unresponsiveness
before intervening to ensure appropriate action.
Question 2
During the primary assessment of a 45-year-old male, you note gurgling sounds with each
breath. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Apply high-flow oxygen via nonrebreather mask
,C. Suction the airway
D. Perform a head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Suction removes liquid obstructions like secretions, blood, or vomitus. Airway
adjuncts follow suctioning when indicated.
Question 3
A patient is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. Your partner begins chest compressions.
When should you apply the AED?
A. After 5 cycles of CPR are completed
B. As soon as it becomes available and without interrupting compressions
C. Only after establishing IV access
D. After delivering two rescue breaths
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Defibrillation is time-critical in VF and pulseless VT. The AED should be applied
immediately with minimal interruption to compressions.
Question 4
You are assessing a 62-year-old female with difficulty breathing. She is speaking in full
sentences but has audible wheezing. Her respiratory rate is 24. What is the most appropriate
initial action?
,A. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask
B. Administer oxygen and obtain a focused history
C. Place her supine and reassess
D. Perform a detailed secondary assessment immediately
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Adequate breathing with distress warrants oxygen therapy and history while
monitoring for deterioration. Full sentences indicate sufficient air movement.
Question 5
A 30-year-old male is found unresponsive after a suspected drug overdose. His respiratory
rate is 6 and shallow. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Place him in the recovery position
C. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask
D. Obtain a blood glucose reading
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Inadequate ventilation requires immediate assisted ventilation. Naloxone
follows ventilatory support since airway and breathing take precedence.
Question 6
During assessment of a trauma patient, you note clear fluid draining from the nose. What
condition should you suspect?
, A. Allergic rhinitis
B. Cerebrospinal fluid leak
C. Epistaxis from dry air
D. Sinus infection
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Clear fluid from the nose after trauma suggests basilar skull fracture with CSF
leak. Nasal airways are contraindicated in this situation.
Question 7
A 55-year-old male complains of sudden severe tearing chest pain radiating to his back. He
has unequal blood pressures in each arm. What should you suspect?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Aortic dissection
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Tearing pain with unequal pulses and blood pressures is classic for aortic
dissection. Rapid transport is critical as this is immediately life-threatening.
Question 8
