EMT BASIC CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION PRACTICE
300+ QUESTIONS 2026 – VERIFIED Q&A WITH RATIONALES
FOR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT TEST PREP 100%
FAST REVISION
Examining Board Content Areas Covered
1 Airway, Respiration and Ventilation
2 Cardiology and Resuscitation
3 Trauma
4 Medical and Obstetrics/Gynecology
5 EMS Operations
Instructions
Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the epiglottis
A To warm inhaled air
B To filter dust particles
C To prevent food from entering the airway
D To produce sound
Answer: C
The epiglottis acts as a flap that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration.
2. Normal adult respiratory rate is
A 8–10 breaths/min
B 12–20 breaths/min
C 20–30 breaths/min
D 30–40 breaths/min
Answer: B
The standard normal respiratory rate for adults is 12–20 breaths per minute.
3. The most reliable sign of adequate ventilation is
A Chest rise and fall
B Skin color
, C Pulse rate
D Blood pressure
Answer: A
Visible chest rise and fall confirms air is moving into the lungs.
4. What is the correct compression to ventilation ratio for adult CPR
A 15:2
B 30:2
C 5:1
D 10:1
Answer: B
Adult CPR requires 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations.
5. The AED should be used
A Only in children
B Only in conscious patients
C In cardiac arrest with no pulse
D Only after 10 minutes of CPR
Answer: C
AEDs are used when a patient is unresponsive and pulseless.
6. Which artery is commonly used to assess circulation in an unconscious adult
A Radial
B Femoral
C Carotid
D Brachial
Answer: C
The carotid artery is easiest to palpate during low blood flow states.
7. A patient with chest pain should receive
A Oxygen
B Water
, C Exercise
D Food
Answer: A
Oxygen helps improve tissue perfusion in suspected cardiac events.
8. Shock is best defined as
A High blood pressure
B Inadequate tissue perfusion
C Rapid breathing
D Fever
Answer: B
Shock occurs when tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients.
9. The first step in scene size-up is
A Check pulse
B Determine scene safety
C Apply oxygen
D Transport patient
Answer: B
Ensuring scene safety protects both the patient and provider.
10. A flail chest is caused by
A Single rib fracture
B Multiple rib fractures
C Lung infection
D Airway obstruction
Answer: B
Flail chest occurs when two or more ribs are fractured in multiple places.
11. The normal pulse rate for adults is
A 40–60 bpm
B 60–100 bpm
, C 100–120 bpm
D 120–140 bpm
Answer: B
The normal resting adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm.
12. Cyanosis indicates
A High oxygen levels
B Low oxygen levels
C High blood sugar
D Infection
Answer: B
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration due to lack of oxygen.
13. The recovery position is used for
A Cardiac arrest patients
B Breathing unconscious patients
C Trauma patients
D Shock patients
Answer: B
It helps maintain airway in unconscious patients who are breathing.
14. What is the primary assessment focus
A Patient history
B Immediate life threats
C Past medical history
D Billing
Answer: B
Primary assessment identifies and treats life-threatening conditions.
15. A patient choking cannot speak. What should you do
A Give water
B Perform abdominal thrusts
300+ QUESTIONS 2026 – VERIFIED Q&A WITH RATIONALES
FOR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT TEST PREP 100%
FAST REVISION
Examining Board Content Areas Covered
1 Airway, Respiration and Ventilation
2 Cardiology and Resuscitation
3 Trauma
4 Medical and Obstetrics/Gynecology
5 EMS Operations
Instructions
Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the epiglottis
A To warm inhaled air
B To filter dust particles
C To prevent food from entering the airway
D To produce sound
Answer: C
The epiglottis acts as a flap that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration.
2. Normal adult respiratory rate is
A 8–10 breaths/min
B 12–20 breaths/min
C 20–30 breaths/min
D 30–40 breaths/min
Answer: B
The standard normal respiratory rate for adults is 12–20 breaths per minute.
3. The most reliable sign of adequate ventilation is
A Chest rise and fall
B Skin color
, C Pulse rate
D Blood pressure
Answer: A
Visible chest rise and fall confirms air is moving into the lungs.
4. What is the correct compression to ventilation ratio for adult CPR
A 15:2
B 30:2
C 5:1
D 10:1
Answer: B
Adult CPR requires 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations.
5. The AED should be used
A Only in children
B Only in conscious patients
C In cardiac arrest with no pulse
D Only after 10 minutes of CPR
Answer: C
AEDs are used when a patient is unresponsive and pulseless.
6. Which artery is commonly used to assess circulation in an unconscious adult
A Radial
B Femoral
C Carotid
D Brachial
Answer: C
The carotid artery is easiest to palpate during low blood flow states.
7. A patient with chest pain should receive
A Oxygen
B Water
, C Exercise
D Food
Answer: A
Oxygen helps improve tissue perfusion in suspected cardiac events.
8. Shock is best defined as
A High blood pressure
B Inadequate tissue perfusion
C Rapid breathing
D Fever
Answer: B
Shock occurs when tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients.
9. The first step in scene size-up is
A Check pulse
B Determine scene safety
C Apply oxygen
D Transport patient
Answer: B
Ensuring scene safety protects both the patient and provider.
10. A flail chest is caused by
A Single rib fracture
B Multiple rib fractures
C Lung infection
D Airway obstruction
Answer: B
Flail chest occurs when two or more ribs are fractured in multiple places.
11. The normal pulse rate for adults is
A 40–60 bpm
B 60–100 bpm
, C 100–120 bpm
D 120–140 bpm
Answer: B
The normal resting adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm.
12. Cyanosis indicates
A High oxygen levels
B Low oxygen levels
C High blood sugar
D Infection
Answer: B
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration due to lack of oxygen.
13. The recovery position is used for
A Cardiac arrest patients
B Breathing unconscious patients
C Trauma patients
D Shock patients
Answer: B
It helps maintain airway in unconscious patients who are breathing.
14. What is the primary assessment focus
A Patient history
B Immediate life threats
C Past medical history
D Billing
Answer: B
Primary assessment identifies and treats life-threatening conditions.
15. A patient choking cannot speak. What should you do
A Give water
B Perform abdominal thrusts
