EMT Basic Certification Exam 2026 | Emergency Care
Questions & Answers
1. Airway Management
Question:
An EMT arrives at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The patient is unconscious and not
breathing normally. What is the EMT’s first priority?
A. Apply oxygen
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Open the airway
D. Check blood pressure
Answer: C. Open the airway
Rationale:
Airway management is always the first priority in emergency care. Without an open airway,
oxygen cannot reach the lungs. EMTs should use the jaw-thrust maneuver if spinal injury is
suspected.
2. CPR Compression Rate
Question:
What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60–80 compressions/minute
B. 80–100 compressions/minute
C. 100–120 compressions/minute
D. 130–150 compressions/minute
Answer: C. 100–120 compressions/minute
Rationale:
High-quality CPR requires compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute and a depth of at
least 2 inches for adults.
3. Signs of Shock
Question:
Which of the following is an early sign of shock?
A. Warm dry skin
,B. Slow pulse
C. Altered mental status
D. Hypertension
Answer: C. Altered mental status
Rationale:
Early shock often presents with anxiety, confusion, restlessness, pale skin, and rapid pulse
due to poor tissue perfusion.
4. Oxygen Delivery Device
Question:
Which oxygen device delivers the highest concentration of oxygen to a breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Simple face mask
Answer: B. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale:
A nonrebreather mask can deliver up to 90–95% oxygen when properly fitted and connected
to high-flow oxygen.
5. Stroke Recognition
Question:
Which symptom is commonly associated with stroke?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Sudden facial droop
C. Gradual hearing loss
D. Chronic back pain
Answer: B. Sudden facial droop
Rationale:
Facial droop, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are classic signs assessed during stroke
screening.
6. Diabetic Emergency
,Question:
A conscious diabetic patient is confused and sweating. What should the EMT suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Stroke
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Seizure disorder
Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
Rationale:
Low blood sugar often causes sweating, confusion, shakiness, and altered behavior. Rapid
glucose administration may be necessary if protocols allow.
7. Cardiac Chest Pain
Question:
What medication may assist a patient with prescribed nitroglycerin during chest pain?
A. Aspirin only
B. Oral glucose
C. Nitroglycerin if authorized
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin if authorized
Rationale:
EMTs may assist with a patient’s prescribed nitroglycerin if medical direction and protocols
permit and blood pressure is adequate.
8. Bleeding Control
Question:
What is the first step in controlling severe external bleeding?
A. Elevate the limb
B. Apply direct pressure
C. Use ice packs
D. Splint the extremity
Answer: B. Apply direct pressure
Rationale:
, Direct pressure is the primary and most effective method for controlling external hemorrhage.
9. Tourniquet Use
Question:
When should a tourniquet be used?
A. For every open wound
B. Only after splinting
C. When severe extremity bleeding cannot be controlled
D. For closed fractures only
Answer: C. When severe extremity bleeding cannot be controlled
Rationale:
Tourniquets are indicated for life-threatening extremity bleeding not controlled by direct
pressure.
10. Respiratory Distress
Question:
Which finding suggests respiratory distress?
A. Slow regular breathing
B. Clear speech without effort
C. Accessory muscle use
D. Pink warm skin only
Answer: C. Accessory muscle use
Rationale:
Use of neck and chest muscles during breathing indicates increased work of breathing and
respiratory distress.
11. Asthma Emergency
Question:
A patient with asthma is wheezing and struggling to breathe. What medication may assist the
patient?
A. Activated charcoal
B. Albuterol inhaler
C. Nitroglycerin
Questions & Answers
1. Airway Management
Question:
An EMT arrives at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. The patient is unconscious and not
breathing normally. What is the EMT’s first priority?
A. Apply oxygen
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Open the airway
D. Check blood pressure
Answer: C. Open the airway
Rationale:
Airway management is always the first priority in emergency care. Without an open airway,
oxygen cannot reach the lungs. EMTs should use the jaw-thrust maneuver if spinal injury is
suspected.
2. CPR Compression Rate
Question:
What is the recommended chest compression rate for adult CPR?
A. 60–80 compressions/minute
B. 80–100 compressions/minute
C. 100–120 compressions/minute
D. 130–150 compressions/minute
Answer: C. 100–120 compressions/minute
Rationale:
High-quality CPR requires compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute and a depth of at
least 2 inches for adults.
3. Signs of Shock
Question:
Which of the following is an early sign of shock?
A. Warm dry skin
,B. Slow pulse
C. Altered mental status
D. Hypertension
Answer: C. Altered mental status
Rationale:
Early shock often presents with anxiety, confusion, restlessness, pale skin, and rapid pulse
due to poor tissue perfusion.
4. Oxygen Delivery Device
Question:
Which oxygen device delivers the highest concentration of oxygen to a breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Simple face mask
Answer: B. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale:
A nonrebreather mask can deliver up to 90–95% oxygen when properly fitted and connected
to high-flow oxygen.
5. Stroke Recognition
Question:
Which symptom is commonly associated with stroke?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Sudden facial droop
C. Gradual hearing loss
D. Chronic back pain
Answer: B. Sudden facial droop
Rationale:
Facial droop, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are classic signs assessed during stroke
screening.
6. Diabetic Emergency
,Question:
A conscious diabetic patient is confused and sweating. What should the EMT suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Stroke
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Seizure disorder
Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
Rationale:
Low blood sugar often causes sweating, confusion, shakiness, and altered behavior. Rapid
glucose administration may be necessary if protocols allow.
7. Cardiac Chest Pain
Question:
What medication may assist a patient with prescribed nitroglycerin during chest pain?
A. Aspirin only
B. Oral glucose
C. Nitroglycerin if authorized
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin if authorized
Rationale:
EMTs may assist with a patient’s prescribed nitroglycerin if medical direction and protocols
permit and blood pressure is adequate.
8. Bleeding Control
Question:
What is the first step in controlling severe external bleeding?
A. Elevate the limb
B. Apply direct pressure
C. Use ice packs
D. Splint the extremity
Answer: B. Apply direct pressure
Rationale:
, Direct pressure is the primary and most effective method for controlling external hemorrhage.
9. Tourniquet Use
Question:
When should a tourniquet be used?
A. For every open wound
B. Only after splinting
C. When severe extremity bleeding cannot be controlled
D. For closed fractures only
Answer: C. When severe extremity bleeding cannot be controlled
Rationale:
Tourniquets are indicated for life-threatening extremity bleeding not controlled by direct
pressure.
10. Respiratory Distress
Question:
Which finding suggests respiratory distress?
A. Slow regular breathing
B. Clear speech without effort
C. Accessory muscle use
D. Pink warm skin only
Answer: C. Accessory muscle use
Rationale:
Use of neck and chest muscles during breathing indicates increased work of breathing and
respiratory distress.
11. Asthma Emergency
Question:
A patient with asthma is wheezing and struggling to breathe. What medication may assist the
patient?
A. Activated charcoal
B. Albuterol inhaler
C. Nitroglycerin
