NREMT PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Which of the following illustrates a basic medical supply that must be carried on an
ambulance? - ANSWERExam gloves
If a car, driven by an unrestrained male, strikes a utility pole at 35 mph, which of the
following is true? - ANSWERThe internal organs struck the inside of the body at 35
mph.
An EMT asks you how he can decrease the chances of being involved in a collision
when driving with lights and siren at night. Your advice would be: - ANSWER"If blinded
by the lights of an oncoming car, look to the right side of the road and not at the car."
You are responding to a possible pediatric overdose. It is raining and suddenly the
ambulance starts to hydroplane. Your immediate action should be to: - ANSWERgently
pump the brakes and decrease pressure on the accelerator pedal.
The EMT should use the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway for the patient with
which one of the following - ANSWERUnresponsive after falling from a porch
The EMT is correctly performing the jaw-thrust airway maneuver when she: -
ANSWERplaces her hands on the side of the patient's head and lifts the jaw upward
You arrive at a residence for a male patient who is unresponsive. As you enter the
room, you observe an obese male lying on a recliner. His eyes are closed, and he has
gurgling respirations. While your partner quickly performs a primary assessment, you
should immediately prepare to: - ANSWERsuction the airway
While you are transporting a patient with altered mental status, he suddenly vomits
partially digested food along with large blood clots. The vomitus is too big for the rigid
suction catheter. The EMT should immediately place the patient on his side and: -
ANSWERperform a finger sweep
You have been dispatched for a 2-year-old female who is not breathing. When
responding, you realize that your primary goal is to: - ANSWERarrive at the scene
safely with no mishaps
,While responding to an emergency call, what should you do if you encounter a school
bus unloading students? - ANSWERStop and wait for all children to cross the road
safely
As an instructor for safe ambulance operations, which of the following statements
should you make to new EMTs about responding with lights and sirens through curves
in the road? - ANSWER"At night, turn your high beams off prior to entering the curve."
Which of the following best describes the path that oxygen must travel to get into the
cells of the body? - ANSWEROropharynx, larynx, trachea, carina, bronchioles
You are assessing an unresponsive patient who overdosed on a narcotic pain
medication. Given the situation, what is the greatest concern regarding potential airway
occlusion? - ANSWERRelaxation of the tongue
Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as having an actual or
potential occlusion of the upper airway? - ANSWER3-year-old male with a fever and
swelling of the larynx
Which one of the following statements indicates that the EMT has an accurate
understanding of the bronchioles? - ANSWER"They are small passages located in the
lower airway that have smooth muscle surrounding them."
Assessment findings on an elderly patient with congestive heart failure indicate that her
failing heart is causing fluid to collect and fill her alveoli. Based on this pathophysiology,
for which pulmonary complication should the EMT treat the patient? -
ANSWERDecreased gas exchange
If an injured patient has lost all use of his diaphragm, the EMT should recognize that the
patient: - ANSWERhas lost a major portion of his ability to breathe.
The EMT exhibits an accurate understanding of breathing when he states: -
ANSWER"Inhalation requires energy, while exhalation for most patients is a passive
process."
When a person's diaphragm contracts and the intercostal muscles pull the ribs upward,
which one of the following will occur? - ANSWERAir will flow into the lungs.
Which one of the following patients is most likely to lose neurological control and
regulation of the respiratory system? - ANSWER31-year-old with a severe injury to the
head
When assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation, which one of the following best
indicates that the patient has an open airway? - ANSWERThe patient speaks with ease.
,You have been called to a long-term nursing care facility for a 77-year-old female
patient with Parkinson's disease. According to the nursing staff, she is more confused
than normal and is to be transported to the emergency department for evaluation. Since
the patient neither understands nor can answer any of your questions, which one of the
following signs provides the best evidence that her breathing is adequate? -
ANSWERPulse oximeter reading at 98%
Your medical director is holding an in-service focusing on the prehospital management
of adult patients with respiratory complaints. He asks the group to explain how they can
determine if the patient is breathing adequately. Which one of the following responses is
most appropriate? - ANSWER"For an adult patient to be breathing adequately, the rate
should be within 8 to 24 breaths per minute with a full chest rise with each breath."
You have been called for a patient who has overdosed on drugs and alcohol. The
patient is responsive to painful stimuli and is breathing shallowly at 8 times per minute,
but exhibits no cyanosis. You should recognize and do which one of the following? -
ANSWERInadequate respirations; start positive pressure ventilation with supplemental
oxygen
Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as being mildly hypoxic?
- ANSWER18-year-old male who is restless and breathing shallowly at 16 times per
minute with no cyanosis
The EMT believes that a patient is mildly hypoxic based on findings from the primary
assessment. What other sign could the EMT use to confirm his suspicion of mild
hypoxia? - ANSWERRestlessness
Which one of the following patients should benefit from the head-tilt, chin-lift manual
airway maneuver? - ANSWER39-year-old male who just had a seizure and has snoring
respirations
A 2-year-old boy who just seized must have his airway opened. When performing the
head-tilt, chin-lift airway maneuver, the EMT must remember: - ANSWERthe head
should only be slightly extended.
You have arrived on the scene of an assault in which several people have been injured.
You are directed to assist another crew with a patient who has been shot once. As you
approach, you are told that the patient is breathing erratically and ineffectively. You
observe the patient being ventilated with a bag-valve mask while another EMT
maintains her airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. Based on your observation, where
might you expect that this patient was shot? - ANSWERHead
Why is the jaw-thrust maneuver indicated for a patient with a possible spinal injury? -
ANSWERIt manipulates the head and cervical spine less than the head-tilt, chin-lift.
, Which of the following statements regarding airway management in the trauma patient
is correct? - ANSWERPerforming the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver on a patient with a
possible spinal injury could further injure or paralyze the patient.
You must suction a male patient who has a decreased ability to swallow secondary to a
previous stroke. He also has a history of smoking and lung cancer. Which one of the
following represents the most appropriate personal protective equipment that you
should use with this patient? - ANSWERGloves, mask with face shield
A young child with multiple physical and developmental abnormalities has a severe
nose bleed. You must suction his nasopharynx to decrease the amount of blood he is
swallowing. Which of the following would be included in this care? - ANSWERInsert a
soft catheter into the nose the same length as the distance from the patient's nose to
the tip of his ear.
You are caring for a 46-year-old male patient who is unresponsive. Which one of the
following statements made by your partner indicates the need to immediately stop
suctioning the patient's airway and resume positive pressure ventilation? -
ANSWER"His heart rate is 48 beats per minute."
Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows that she understands
how to suction patients in a field setting? - ANSWER"I only activate the suction device
when I am withdrawing the suction catheter."
You must suction frothy secretions from the mouth and pharynx of a 31-year-old male
patient whose respiration rate is 4 breaths per minute. Which one of the following
interventions is most appropriate given the patient's condition? - ANSWERSuction for
no more than 15 seconds at a time followed by 2 minutes of positive pressure
ventilation
Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows he understands the use
of the pocket mask? - ANSWER"In comparison to the bag-valve mask, the pocket mask
can deliver a just as good, if not better, tidal volume."
You have opened the airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift and are ready to ventilate an
apneic patient with a pocket mask. The first ventilation you attempt is unsuccessful. You
should immediately: - ANSWERuse a jaw-thrust maneuver
When using a pocket mask to ventilate an unresponsive adult patient, the EMT must
remember to always: - ANSWERmaintain the head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
You are assessing a young male patient who is responsive to painful stimuli and
breathing agonally after being ejected from an automobile at a high rate of speed. His
pulse is weak and thready, and his skin is cool and diaphoretic. When addressing his
AND ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Which of the following illustrates a basic medical supply that must be carried on an
ambulance? - ANSWERExam gloves
If a car, driven by an unrestrained male, strikes a utility pole at 35 mph, which of the
following is true? - ANSWERThe internal organs struck the inside of the body at 35
mph.
An EMT asks you how he can decrease the chances of being involved in a collision
when driving with lights and siren at night. Your advice would be: - ANSWER"If blinded
by the lights of an oncoming car, look to the right side of the road and not at the car."
You are responding to a possible pediatric overdose. It is raining and suddenly the
ambulance starts to hydroplane. Your immediate action should be to: - ANSWERgently
pump the brakes and decrease pressure on the accelerator pedal.
The EMT should use the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway for the patient with
which one of the following - ANSWERUnresponsive after falling from a porch
The EMT is correctly performing the jaw-thrust airway maneuver when she: -
ANSWERplaces her hands on the side of the patient's head and lifts the jaw upward
You arrive at a residence for a male patient who is unresponsive. As you enter the
room, you observe an obese male lying on a recliner. His eyes are closed, and he has
gurgling respirations. While your partner quickly performs a primary assessment, you
should immediately prepare to: - ANSWERsuction the airway
While you are transporting a patient with altered mental status, he suddenly vomits
partially digested food along with large blood clots. The vomitus is too big for the rigid
suction catheter. The EMT should immediately place the patient on his side and: -
ANSWERperform a finger sweep
You have been dispatched for a 2-year-old female who is not breathing. When
responding, you realize that your primary goal is to: - ANSWERarrive at the scene
safely with no mishaps
,While responding to an emergency call, what should you do if you encounter a school
bus unloading students? - ANSWERStop and wait for all children to cross the road
safely
As an instructor for safe ambulance operations, which of the following statements
should you make to new EMTs about responding with lights and sirens through curves
in the road? - ANSWER"At night, turn your high beams off prior to entering the curve."
Which of the following best describes the path that oxygen must travel to get into the
cells of the body? - ANSWEROropharynx, larynx, trachea, carina, bronchioles
You are assessing an unresponsive patient who overdosed on a narcotic pain
medication. Given the situation, what is the greatest concern regarding potential airway
occlusion? - ANSWERRelaxation of the tongue
Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as having an actual or
potential occlusion of the upper airway? - ANSWER3-year-old male with a fever and
swelling of the larynx
Which one of the following statements indicates that the EMT has an accurate
understanding of the bronchioles? - ANSWER"They are small passages located in the
lower airway that have smooth muscle surrounding them."
Assessment findings on an elderly patient with congestive heart failure indicate that her
failing heart is causing fluid to collect and fill her alveoli. Based on this pathophysiology,
for which pulmonary complication should the EMT treat the patient? -
ANSWERDecreased gas exchange
If an injured patient has lost all use of his diaphragm, the EMT should recognize that the
patient: - ANSWERhas lost a major portion of his ability to breathe.
The EMT exhibits an accurate understanding of breathing when he states: -
ANSWER"Inhalation requires energy, while exhalation for most patients is a passive
process."
When a person's diaphragm contracts and the intercostal muscles pull the ribs upward,
which one of the following will occur? - ANSWERAir will flow into the lungs.
Which one of the following patients is most likely to lose neurological control and
regulation of the respiratory system? - ANSWER31-year-old with a severe injury to the
head
When assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation, which one of the following best
indicates that the patient has an open airway? - ANSWERThe patient speaks with ease.
,You have been called to a long-term nursing care facility for a 77-year-old female
patient with Parkinson's disease. According to the nursing staff, she is more confused
than normal and is to be transported to the emergency department for evaluation. Since
the patient neither understands nor can answer any of your questions, which one of the
following signs provides the best evidence that her breathing is adequate? -
ANSWERPulse oximeter reading at 98%
Your medical director is holding an in-service focusing on the prehospital management
of adult patients with respiratory complaints. He asks the group to explain how they can
determine if the patient is breathing adequately. Which one of the following responses is
most appropriate? - ANSWER"For an adult patient to be breathing adequately, the rate
should be within 8 to 24 breaths per minute with a full chest rise with each breath."
You have been called for a patient who has overdosed on drugs and alcohol. The
patient is responsive to painful stimuli and is breathing shallowly at 8 times per minute,
but exhibits no cyanosis. You should recognize and do which one of the following? -
ANSWERInadequate respirations; start positive pressure ventilation with supplemental
oxygen
Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as being mildly hypoxic?
- ANSWER18-year-old male who is restless and breathing shallowly at 16 times per
minute with no cyanosis
The EMT believes that a patient is mildly hypoxic based on findings from the primary
assessment. What other sign could the EMT use to confirm his suspicion of mild
hypoxia? - ANSWERRestlessness
Which one of the following patients should benefit from the head-tilt, chin-lift manual
airway maneuver? - ANSWER39-year-old male who just had a seizure and has snoring
respirations
A 2-year-old boy who just seized must have his airway opened. When performing the
head-tilt, chin-lift airway maneuver, the EMT must remember: - ANSWERthe head
should only be slightly extended.
You have arrived on the scene of an assault in which several people have been injured.
You are directed to assist another crew with a patient who has been shot once. As you
approach, you are told that the patient is breathing erratically and ineffectively. You
observe the patient being ventilated with a bag-valve mask while another EMT
maintains her airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. Based on your observation, where
might you expect that this patient was shot? - ANSWERHead
Why is the jaw-thrust maneuver indicated for a patient with a possible spinal injury? -
ANSWERIt manipulates the head and cervical spine less than the head-tilt, chin-lift.
, Which of the following statements regarding airway management in the trauma patient
is correct? - ANSWERPerforming the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver on a patient with a
possible spinal injury could further injure or paralyze the patient.
You must suction a male patient who has a decreased ability to swallow secondary to a
previous stroke. He also has a history of smoking and lung cancer. Which one of the
following represents the most appropriate personal protective equipment that you
should use with this patient? - ANSWERGloves, mask with face shield
A young child with multiple physical and developmental abnormalities has a severe
nose bleed. You must suction his nasopharynx to decrease the amount of blood he is
swallowing. Which of the following would be included in this care? - ANSWERInsert a
soft catheter into the nose the same length as the distance from the patient's nose to
the tip of his ear.
You are caring for a 46-year-old male patient who is unresponsive. Which one of the
following statements made by your partner indicates the need to immediately stop
suctioning the patient's airway and resume positive pressure ventilation? -
ANSWER"His heart rate is 48 beats per minute."
Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows that she understands
how to suction patients in a field setting? - ANSWER"I only activate the suction device
when I am withdrawing the suction catheter."
You must suction frothy secretions from the mouth and pharynx of a 31-year-old male
patient whose respiration rate is 4 breaths per minute. Which one of the following
interventions is most appropriate given the patient's condition? - ANSWERSuction for
no more than 15 seconds at a time followed by 2 minutes of positive pressure
ventilation
Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows he understands the use
of the pocket mask? - ANSWER"In comparison to the bag-valve mask, the pocket mask
can deliver a just as good, if not better, tidal volume."
You have opened the airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift and are ready to ventilate an
apneic patient with a pocket mask. The first ventilation you attempt is unsuccessful. You
should immediately: - ANSWERuse a jaw-thrust maneuver
When using a pocket mask to ventilate an unresponsive adult patient, the EMT must
remember to always: - ANSWERmaintain the head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
You are assessing a young male patient who is responsive to painful stimuli and
breathing agonally after being ejected from an automobile at a high rate of speed. His
pulse is weak and thready, and his skin is cool and diaphoretic. When addressing his
