NREMT EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A 69-year-old female patient complains of difficulty speaking and an inability to move
her right arm. She notes the symptoms came on about two hours ago but have since
subsided. She is most likely suffering from a(n): - Correct Answers -The fact that the
symptoms went away indicates that this is a TIA. Transient Ischemic Attack
A 68-year-old female complains of abdominal pain and vertigo. She notes a three-day
history of dark, black stools. She is pale, slightly diaphoretic, and her vital signs are:
pulse 118, respiration 20, blood pressure 88/64. Those findings indicate: - Correct
Answers -hypotensive shock caused by a GI bleed. The low blood pressure indicates
hypotensive shock. The history of black stool indicates a GI bleed.
A patient is found in his apartment sitting in a chair in the tripod position, manifesting
noisy respirations, cyanosis around the lips, and restlessness. Vital signs are:
respirations 28 (working to breathe), pulse 100 (slightly irregular), and blood pressure
140/90. Oxygen should be provided to this patient by way of: - Correct Answers -
nonrebreather mask. This patient is still controlling his own respirations, so the initial
device that should be used is a nonrebreather. If the nonrebreather is not tolerated, then
a nasal cannula should be used. If the patient can no longer support his own
respirations adequately, then a bag-valve mask should be used or, if appropriate, an
oxygen-powered ventilation device.
Hypovolemic shock - Correct Answers -shock resulting from blood or fluid loss
A 55-year-old female complains of acute onset palpitations and chest pain. She is alert,
but pale and diaphoretic. Her vitals are pulse 220, respiration 28, blood pressure 88/60.
Those findings most likely indicate - Correct Answers -cardiogenic shock secondary to a
cardiac dysrhythmia. A heart rate of 220 most likely indicates a tachycardic
dysrhythmia. It is possible for her to have hypovolemia, but the acute onset of
symptoms and the lack of a likely cause make it improbable.
A 21-year-old male has been involved in a serious motor-vehicle crash. You begin your
primary assessment in the vehicle as rescue crews prepare for mechanical extrication.
After checking airway and breathing, you find spurting blood coming from a laceration
on his leg. Your jump kit is outside the car. You should: - Correct Answers -use your
gloved hand to initiate direct pressure. In the event of severe bleeding, a gloved hand
can be used to initiate direct pressure.
,You are caring for a geriatric patient who is bedridden from a prior stroke and is being
cared for by their family. Upon assessment you note that the patient has bed sores, dirty
underclothes, and the bed smells of dried urine. Upon your arrival to the hospital, what
should you report? - Correct Answers -The findings that are suggestive of abuse. The
EMT will see all types of patients in all types of situations, and you'll see society at its
best and its worst.
A 45 year old female is complaining of trouble breathing. The patient is sitting in a tripod
position, has nasal flaring, rapid breathing, accessory muscle use, and diminished
alveolar breath sounds. Of these findings, which one is indicative more so of difficult
breathing rather than heightened respiratory efforts due to the pulmonary problem? -
Correct Answers -Diminished alveolar sounds. Many of the findings consistent with
dyspnea (troubled breathing) are actually changes due to the body working harder to
breathe - not findings tied directly to one disturbance or another.
Septic shock - Correct Answers -Shock caused by severe infection, usually a bacterial
infection. Usually has a gradual onset
Cardiac dysrhythmias - Correct Answers --Deviations from normal cardiac rate or
rhythm
-Caused by electrolyte abnormalities, fever, hypoxia, stress, infection, drug toxicity
-Reduction of the efficiency of the heart's pumping cycle
A 44-year-old male tells you he is suicidal and plans to hang himself with the rope next
to his bed. He does not wish to be transported to the hospital. You should: - Correct
Answers -await law enforcement and transport this patient against his will. Suicidal
patients can be dangerous to EMTs. In this case it is best to await law enforcement
assistance. Although a suicidal patient cannot refuse care, it would be better to involve
the police than attempt to restrain the patient alone.
A 12-year-old male is having an asthma attack. He appears tired and pale. During your
primary assessment you note his respiratory rate to be 40. However, you have difficulty
hearing his lung sounds. What is the most likely reason for the difficulty hearing lung
sounds? - Correct Answers -There is little air moving. Asthma causes
bronchoconstriction and although it may appear he is breathing rapidly, the narrowed air
passages allow little air to move.
While performing a scene size-up for a report of workers overcome in a factory you see
a diamond-shaped placard on the building with four numbers. Generally speaking, the
higher the number in each quadrant, what can be inferred? - Correct Answers -The
more dangerous the contents. The placard, which is color coded for health (blue), fire
(red), reactivity (yellow), or additional information (white) - use a series of numbers in
each quadrant (0-4) to represent the status of the contents given those four criteria.
Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more dangerous the contents within are.
, Approaching the scene of a single-car crash, you observe smoke in the vicinity of the
vehicle. You are concerned that there may be someone still inside. As the first
emergency responder on scene, where should you position your vehicle? - Correct
Answers -100 feet upwind from the vehicle. The danger zone for this incident is within
100 feet of the vehicle fire. Your emergency vehicle should be parked upwind so the
smoke does not come back into the path between EMS personnel and the scene.
While ventilating a patient with a bag-valve mask, you squeeze the bag in order to
ventilate the patient. Now that the lungs have been filled, by what process does the air
(oxygen) leave the lungs before the next ventilation is provided? - Correct Answers -
Passive, because theres no assist
You are assisting in the management of 4 injured patients in a remote area of the
county. You have at your disposal one helicopter capable of transporting one critical
patient, and 2 more ground ambulances that will handle the other three patients. Please
select the patient below that you would elect to receive transport by the helicopter. -
Correct Answers -39-year-old patient with head injury, and signs of herniation. Air
medical transport should be reserved for those patients who have a time sensitive
condition in which expedient transport to the hospital is essentially a required
component for survivability.
You arrive first on the scene of a car that has struck a tree. Moderate damage has
occurred. You ensure the scene safety, don appropriate personal protective equipment,
and request additional resources. You note the patient is not responding and you are
unable to gain access through the front doors. What should you do next? - Correct
Answers -Attempt to open a rear door and enter the car. Often when front doors are
jammed, the rear doors are functional.
During the management of a female trauma patient who is 8 months pregnant with her
second child, you elect to immobilize her on a backboard for suspected spinal injury.
When preparing for transport, what important treatment consideration must you provide
regarding transport on a backboard? - Correct Answers -Tilt the backboard to the left
side to avoid potential hypotension. With pregnant females needing immobilization or
even regular transport on the cot, always tilt the patient to her left side. removes weight
from spine.
A 20-year-old female has been involved in a minor motor-vehicle crash. She is
ambulatory on arrival and complains of difficulty breathing. She is alert and vitals are
pulse 110, respiration 40, and blood pressure 122/80. Her skin is flushed. Considering
her respiratory status, you should: - Correct Answers -apply a nonrebreather mask.
Respiratory Distress - Correct Answers -increased work of breathing; a sensation of
shortness of breath oxygen by NRB
ANSWERS
A 69-year-old female patient complains of difficulty speaking and an inability to move
her right arm. She notes the symptoms came on about two hours ago but have since
subsided. She is most likely suffering from a(n): - Correct Answers -The fact that the
symptoms went away indicates that this is a TIA. Transient Ischemic Attack
A 68-year-old female complains of abdominal pain and vertigo. She notes a three-day
history of dark, black stools. She is pale, slightly diaphoretic, and her vital signs are:
pulse 118, respiration 20, blood pressure 88/64. Those findings indicate: - Correct
Answers -hypotensive shock caused by a GI bleed. The low blood pressure indicates
hypotensive shock. The history of black stool indicates a GI bleed.
A patient is found in his apartment sitting in a chair in the tripod position, manifesting
noisy respirations, cyanosis around the lips, and restlessness. Vital signs are:
respirations 28 (working to breathe), pulse 100 (slightly irregular), and blood pressure
140/90. Oxygen should be provided to this patient by way of: - Correct Answers -
nonrebreather mask. This patient is still controlling his own respirations, so the initial
device that should be used is a nonrebreather. If the nonrebreather is not tolerated, then
a nasal cannula should be used. If the patient can no longer support his own
respirations adequately, then a bag-valve mask should be used or, if appropriate, an
oxygen-powered ventilation device.
Hypovolemic shock - Correct Answers -shock resulting from blood or fluid loss
A 55-year-old female complains of acute onset palpitations and chest pain. She is alert,
but pale and diaphoretic. Her vitals are pulse 220, respiration 28, blood pressure 88/60.
Those findings most likely indicate - Correct Answers -cardiogenic shock secondary to a
cardiac dysrhythmia. A heart rate of 220 most likely indicates a tachycardic
dysrhythmia. It is possible for her to have hypovolemia, but the acute onset of
symptoms and the lack of a likely cause make it improbable.
A 21-year-old male has been involved in a serious motor-vehicle crash. You begin your
primary assessment in the vehicle as rescue crews prepare for mechanical extrication.
After checking airway and breathing, you find spurting blood coming from a laceration
on his leg. Your jump kit is outside the car. You should: - Correct Answers -use your
gloved hand to initiate direct pressure. In the event of severe bleeding, a gloved hand
can be used to initiate direct pressure.
,You are caring for a geriatric patient who is bedridden from a prior stroke and is being
cared for by their family. Upon assessment you note that the patient has bed sores, dirty
underclothes, and the bed smells of dried urine. Upon your arrival to the hospital, what
should you report? - Correct Answers -The findings that are suggestive of abuse. The
EMT will see all types of patients in all types of situations, and you'll see society at its
best and its worst.
A 45 year old female is complaining of trouble breathing. The patient is sitting in a tripod
position, has nasal flaring, rapid breathing, accessory muscle use, and diminished
alveolar breath sounds. Of these findings, which one is indicative more so of difficult
breathing rather than heightened respiratory efforts due to the pulmonary problem? -
Correct Answers -Diminished alveolar sounds. Many of the findings consistent with
dyspnea (troubled breathing) are actually changes due to the body working harder to
breathe - not findings tied directly to one disturbance or another.
Septic shock - Correct Answers -Shock caused by severe infection, usually a bacterial
infection. Usually has a gradual onset
Cardiac dysrhythmias - Correct Answers --Deviations from normal cardiac rate or
rhythm
-Caused by electrolyte abnormalities, fever, hypoxia, stress, infection, drug toxicity
-Reduction of the efficiency of the heart's pumping cycle
A 44-year-old male tells you he is suicidal and plans to hang himself with the rope next
to his bed. He does not wish to be transported to the hospital. You should: - Correct
Answers -await law enforcement and transport this patient against his will. Suicidal
patients can be dangerous to EMTs. In this case it is best to await law enforcement
assistance. Although a suicidal patient cannot refuse care, it would be better to involve
the police than attempt to restrain the patient alone.
A 12-year-old male is having an asthma attack. He appears tired and pale. During your
primary assessment you note his respiratory rate to be 40. However, you have difficulty
hearing his lung sounds. What is the most likely reason for the difficulty hearing lung
sounds? - Correct Answers -There is little air moving. Asthma causes
bronchoconstriction and although it may appear he is breathing rapidly, the narrowed air
passages allow little air to move.
While performing a scene size-up for a report of workers overcome in a factory you see
a diamond-shaped placard on the building with four numbers. Generally speaking, the
higher the number in each quadrant, what can be inferred? - Correct Answers -The
more dangerous the contents. The placard, which is color coded for health (blue), fire
(red), reactivity (yellow), or additional information (white) - use a series of numbers in
each quadrant (0-4) to represent the status of the contents given those four criteria.
Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more dangerous the contents within are.
, Approaching the scene of a single-car crash, you observe smoke in the vicinity of the
vehicle. You are concerned that there may be someone still inside. As the first
emergency responder on scene, where should you position your vehicle? - Correct
Answers -100 feet upwind from the vehicle. The danger zone for this incident is within
100 feet of the vehicle fire. Your emergency vehicle should be parked upwind so the
smoke does not come back into the path between EMS personnel and the scene.
While ventilating a patient with a bag-valve mask, you squeeze the bag in order to
ventilate the patient. Now that the lungs have been filled, by what process does the air
(oxygen) leave the lungs before the next ventilation is provided? - Correct Answers -
Passive, because theres no assist
You are assisting in the management of 4 injured patients in a remote area of the
county. You have at your disposal one helicopter capable of transporting one critical
patient, and 2 more ground ambulances that will handle the other three patients. Please
select the patient below that you would elect to receive transport by the helicopter. -
Correct Answers -39-year-old patient with head injury, and signs of herniation. Air
medical transport should be reserved for those patients who have a time sensitive
condition in which expedient transport to the hospital is essentially a required
component for survivability.
You arrive first on the scene of a car that has struck a tree. Moderate damage has
occurred. You ensure the scene safety, don appropriate personal protective equipment,
and request additional resources. You note the patient is not responding and you are
unable to gain access through the front doors. What should you do next? - Correct
Answers -Attempt to open a rear door and enter the car. Often when front doors are
jammed, the rear doors are functional.
During the management of a female trauma patient who is 8 months pregnant with her
second child, you elect to immobilize her on a backboard for suspected spinal injury.
When preparing for transport, what important treatment consideration must you provide
regarding transport on a backboard? - Correct Answers -Tilt the backboard to the left
side to avoid potential hypotension. With pregnant females needing immobilization or
even regular transport on the cot, always tilt the patient to her left side. removes weight
from spine.
A 20-year-old female has been involved in a minor motor-vehicle crash. She is
ambulatory on arrival and complains of difficulty breathing. She is alert and vitals are
pulse 110, respiration 40, and blood pressure 122/80. Her skin is flushed. Considering
her respiratory status, you should: - Correct Answers -apply a nonrebreather mask.
Respiratory Distress - Correct Answers -increased work of breathing; a sensation of
shortness of breath oxygen by NRB
