West Coast EMT Block 3 quiz with
100% verified correct answers
2025/2026 update
A 40-year-old patient without a history of seizures experiences a generalized (tonic-
clonic) seizure. The LEAST likely cause of this seizure is:
Select one:
A. intracranial bleeding
B. epilepsy.
C. a brain tumor.
D. a serious infection. - Correct AnswerB. epilepsy.
A patient who is experiencing aphasia is:
Select one:
A. not able to swallow without choking.
B. experiencing a right hemispheric stroke.
C. unable to produce or understand speech.
D. usually conscious but has slurred speech. - Correct AnswerC. unable to produce or
understand speech.
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:
Select one:
A. is older than 60 years of age.
B. has had a prior heart attack.
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
D. has bleeding within the brain. - Correct AnswerD. has bleeding within the brain.
A patient with an altered mental status is:
Select one:
A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
C. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
D. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. - Correct AnswerC. not thinking
clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
Components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale include:
Select one:
A. facial droop, speech, and pupil size.
B. speech, pupil reaction, and memory.
C. arm drift, memory, and grip strength.
D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop. - Correct AnswerD. arm drift, speech, and facial
droop.
,Febrile seizures:
Select one:
A. are usually benign but should be evaluated.
B. often result in permanent brain damage.
C. occur when a child's fever rises slowly.
D. are also referred to as absence seizures. - Correct AnswerA. are usually benign but
should be evaluated.
Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and
hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the:
Select one:
A. kidneys.
B. liver.
C. pancreas.
D. brain. - Correct AnswerB. liver.
Muscle control and body coordination are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. brain stem.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. cerebrum. - Correct AnswerA. cerebellum.
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
Select one:
A. profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
B. an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C. generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
D. prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness. - Correct AnswerD. prolonged
seizures without a return of consciousness.
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and
swallowing, are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebrum.
B. cerebellum.
C. brain stem.
D. cerebral cortex. - Correct AnswerC. brain stem.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
Select one:
A. diabetes mellitus.
B. heavy exertion.
C. severe stress.
D. hypertension. - Correct AnswerD. hypertension.
,The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
A. cauda equina.
B. vertebral foramen.
C. foramen magnum.
D. foramen lamina. - Correct AnswerC. foramen magnum.
The three major parts of the brain are the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. - Correct AnswerD. cerebrum, cerebellum,
and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
Select one:
A. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
B. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
C. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
D. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. - Correct AnswerD.
ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert
for:
Select one:
A. a febrile convulsion.
B. a seizure.
C. an acute stroke.
D. respiratory distress. - Correct AnswerB. a seizure.
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
Select one:
A. Sudden, severe headache
B. Confusion and weakness
C. Nasal discharge of blood
D. Unilateral hemiparesis - Correct AnswerA. Sudden, severe headache
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
Select one:
A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere - Correct AnswerC. Respiratory failure
or cardiopulmonary arrest
, Which of the following findings should concern the EMT the MOST when assessing a
patient who complains of a headache?
Select one:
A. Slow onset of symptoms
B. History of migraines
C. Neck stiffness or pain
D. Sinus congestion - Correct AnswerC. Neck stiffness or pain
Which of the following is characteristic of a focal-onset aware seizure?
Select one:
A. Absence of breathing
B. Normal level of consciousness
C. Generalized twitching of all muscles
D. No change in vision, smell, or taste - Correct AnswerB. Normal level of
consciousness
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
Select one:
A. Acute atherosclerotic disease
B. Rupture of a cerebral artery
C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
D. Narrowing of a carotid artery - Correct AnswerC. Blockage of a cerebral artery
A 60-year-old female presents with a tearing sensation in her lower back. Her skin is
sweaty, and she is tachycardic. The EMT should suspect:
Select one:
A. kidney stones.
B. acute pancreatitis.
C. aortic aneurysm.
D. strangulated hernia. - Correct AnswerC. aortic aneurysm.
A strangulated hernia is one that:
Select one:
A. loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
B. spontaneously reduces without any surgical intervention.
C. is reducible if surgical intervention occurs within 2 hours.
D. can be pushed back into the body cavity to which it belongs. - Correct AnswerA.
loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
Chronic renal failure is a condition that:
Select one:
A. occurs from conditions such as dehydration.
B. is often caused by hypertension or diabetes.
C. causes dehydration from excessive urination.
100% verified correct answers
2025/2026 update
A 40-year-old patient without a history of seizures experiences a generalized (tonic-
clonic) seizure. The LEAST likely cause of this seizure is:
Select one:
A. intracranial bleeding
B. epilepsy.
C. a brain tumor.
D. a serious infection. - Correct AnswerB. epilepsy.
A patient who is experiencing aphasia is:
Select one:
A. not able to swallow without choking.
B. experiencing a right hemispheric stroke.
C. unable to produce or understand speech.
D. usually conscious but has slurred speech. - Correct AnswerC. unable to produce or
understand speech.
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:
Select one:
A. is older than 60 years of age.
B. has had a prior heart attack.
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
D. has bleeding within the brain. - Correct AnswerD. has bleeding within the brain.
A patient with an altered mental status is:
Select one:
A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
C. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
D. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. - Correct AnswerC. not thinking
clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
Components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale include:
Select one:
A. facial droop, speech, and pupil size.
B. speech, pupil reaction, and memory.
C. arm drift, memory, and grip strength.
D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop. - Correct AnswerD. arm drift, speech, and facial
droop.
,Febrile seizures:
Select one:
A. are usually benign but should be evaluated.
B. often result in permanent brain damage.
C. occur when a child's fever rises slowly.
D. are also referred to as absence seizures. - Correct AnswerA. are usually benign but
should be evaluated.
Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and
hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the:
Select one:
A. kidneys.
B. liver.
C. pancreas.
D. brain. - Correct AnswerB. liver.
Muscle control and body coordination are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. brain stem.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. cerebrum. - Correct AnswerA. cerebellum.
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
Select one:
A. profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
B. an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C. generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
D. prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness. - Correct AnswerD. prolonged
seizures without a return of consciousness.
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and
swallowing, are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebrum.
B. cerebellum.
C. brain stem.
D. cerebral cortex. - Correct AnswerC. brain stem.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
Select one:
A. diabetes mellitus.
B. heavy exertion.
C. severe stress.
D. hypertension. - Correct AnswerD. hypertension.
,The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
A. cauda equina.
B. vertebral foramen.
C. foramen magnum.
D. foramen lamina. - Correct AnswerC. foramen magnum.
The three major parts of the brain are the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. - Correct AnswerD. cerebrum, cerebellum,
and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
Select one:
A. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
B. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
C. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
D. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. - Correct AnswerD.
ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert
for:
Select one:
A. a febrile convulsion.
B. a seizure.
C. an acute stroke.
D. respiratory distress. - Correct AnswerB. a seizure.
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
Select one:
A. Sudden, severe headache
B. Confusion and weakness
C. Nasal discharge of blood
D. Unilateral hemiparesis - Correct AnswerA. Sudden, severe headache
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
Select one:
A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere - Correct AnswerC. Respiratory failure
or cardiopulmonary arrest
, Which of the following findings should concern the EMT the MOST when assessing a
patient who complains of a headache?
Select one:
A. Slow onset of symptoms
B. History of migraines
C. Neck stiffness or pain
D. Sinus congestion - Correct AnswerC. Neck stiffness or pain
Which of the following is characteristic of a focal-onset aware seizure?
Select one:
A. Absence of breathing
B. Normal level of consciousness
C. Generalized twitching of all muscles
D. No change in vision, smell, or taste - Correct AnswerB. Normal level of
consciousness
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
Select one:
A. Acute atherosclerotic disease
B. Rupture of a cerebral artery
C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
D. Narrowing of a carotid artery - Correct AnswerC. Blockage of a cerebral artery
A 60-year-old female presents with a tearing sensation in her lower back. Her skin is
sweaty, and she is tachycardic. The EMT should suspect:
Select one:
A. kidney stones.
B. acute pancreatitis.
C. aortic aneurysm.
D. strangulated hernia. - Correct AnswerC. aortic aneurysm.
A strangulated hernia is one that:
Select one:
A. loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
B. spontaneously reduces without any surgical intervention.
C. is reducible if surgical intervention occurs within 2 hours.
D. can be pushed back into the body cavity to which it belongs. - Correct AnswerA.
loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
Chronic renal failure is a condition that:
Select one:
A. occurs from conditions such as dehydration.
B. is often caused by hypertension or diabetes.
C. causes dehydration from excessive urination.
