WEST COAST EMT BLOCK #2 LATEST EXAM
(2025/2026) QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED &
REVISED ANSWERS WITH RATIONELS
"PASTE" is an alternate assessment tool for ___________.
Select one:
A. respiratory patients
B. seizure patients
C. stroke patients
D. cardiac patients - ANSWER -A. respiratory patients
A 19-year-old female is found unconscious by her roommate. Your primary
assessment reveals that her breathing is inadequate. As you insert an
oropharyngeal airway, she begins to gag violently. You should:
Select one:
A. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it.
B. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block.
C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
D. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx. - ANSWER -C.
remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx
A 20-year-old male has a large laceration to his wrist. He is holding a blood-
soaked towel over the wound, but it continues to bleed rapidly. You should:
Select one:
A. administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
B. apply a tourniquet proximal to the wrist.
C. apply pressure to the brachial artery.
D. wrap the towel with pressure bandages. - ANSWER -B. apply a tourniquet
proximal to the wrist.
A 25-year-old unrestrained female struck the steering wheel with her chest when
her car hit a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. She has signs and
symptoms of shock, which you suspect are the result of intrathoracic bleeding.
Which of the following interventions will provide this patient with the greatest
chance for survival?
Select one:
A. High-flow oxygen administration
B. Rapid transport to a trauma center
C. Full immobilization of her spine
D. Intravenous fluid administration - ANSWER -B. Rapid transport to a trauma
center
,A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, and
facial swelling. He denies any past medical history and takes no medications.
During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all the lung fields. His blood
pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. In addition to giving
him high-flow oxygen, the MOST important treatment for this patient is:
Select one:
A. epinephrine.
B. a beta-antagonist.
C. albuterol.
D. an antihistamine. - ANSWER -A. epinephrine.
A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious
and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed
MDI, you should:
Select one:
A. administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress.
B. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.
C. check the drug's expiration date to ensure that it is still current.
D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication. - ANSWER
-D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.
A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation at a
bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is conscious. He is screaming
in pain and is attempting to control the bleeding, which is bright red and spurting
from his groin area. You should:
Select one:
A. elevate his legs and keep him warm.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
C. administer 100% supplemental oxygen.
D. ensure that his airway is patent. - ANSWER -B. apply direct pressure to the
wound.
A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and
diaphoresis. You should:
Select one:
A. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin.
B. administer up to 324 mg of baby aspirin.
C. obtain vital signs and a SAMPLE history.
D. assess the adequacy of his respirations. - ANSWER -D. assess the adequacy
of his respirations.
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening
of his dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your
assessment reveals that he has a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished
,breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's
condition?
Select one:
A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
B. Exacerbation of his COPD
C. Acute pulmonary embolism
D. Rupture of the diaphragm - ANSWER -A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
A 60-year-old man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. You should:
Select one:
A. start CPR and transport immediately.
B. begin CPR until an AED is available.
C. withhold CPR until he is defibrillated.
D. determine if he has a valid living will. - ANSWER -B. begin CPR until an AED
is available.
A 62-year-old male is seen with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being
the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed
nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering supplemental
oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should:
Select one:
A. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 72
hours.
B. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood
pressure.
C. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit.
D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than
100 mm Hg. - ANSWER -D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic
blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.
A 66-year-old female with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with
substernal chest pressure of 2 hours' duration. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm
Hg, her pulse is 100 beats/min and irregular, her respirations are 22 breaths/min,
and her oxygen saturation is 92%. The patient does not have prescribed
nitroglycerin, but her husband does. You should:
Select one:
A. give her one nitroglycerin and reassess her systolic blood pressure.
B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further.
C. obtain a SAMPLE history and contact medical control for advice.
D. give her high-flow oxygen, attach the AED, and transport at once. - ANSWER -
B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further.
A by-product of involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation is:
Select one:
A. oxygen.
B. lactic acid.
, C. heat.
D. nitrogen. - ANSWER -C. heat.
A dissecting aortic aneurysm occurs when:
Select one:
A. a weakened area develops in the aortic wall.
B. the aorta ruptures, resulting in profound bleeding.
C. the inner layers of the aorta become separated.
D. all layers of the aorta suddenly contract. - ANSWER -C. the inner layers of the
aorta become separated.
A man was found unresponsive in his bed at home. There is no evidence of injury
and the patient's medical history is not known. The patient's face is cyanotic, yet
the pulse oximeter reads 98%. Which of the following would MOST likely explain
this?
Select one:
A. Severe pulmonary edema
B. Carbon monoxide poisoning
C. Increased body temperature
D. His extremities are cold - ANSWER -B. Carbon monoxide poisoning
A palpable pulse is created by:
Select one:
A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction.
B. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries.
C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. -
ANSWER -C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
A patient has a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg. The "130" in this measurement
represents:
Select one:
A. atrial contraction.
B. ventricular relaxation.
C. ventricular contraction.
D. ventricular filling. - ANSWER -C. ventricular contraction.
A patient has a large accumulation of blood in the sac surrounding the heart.
Which type of shock would this condition cause?
Select one:
A. Hypovolemic
B. Obstructive
C. Cardiogenic
D. Neurogenic - ANSWER -B. Obstructive
(2025/2026) QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED &
REVISED ANSWERS WITH RATIONELS
"PASTE" is an alternate assessment tool for ___________.
Select one:
A. respiratory patients
B. seizure patients
C. stroke patients
D. cardiac patients - ANSWER -A. respiratory patients
A 19-year-old female is found unconscious by her roommate. Your primary
assessment reveals that her breathing is inadequate. As you insert an
oropharyngeal airway, she begins to gag violently. You should:
Select one:
A. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it.
B. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block.
C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
D. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx. - ANSWER -C.
remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx
A 20-year-old male has a large laceration to his wrist. He is holding a blood-
soaked towel over the wound, but it continues to bleed rapidly. You should:
Select one:
A. administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
B. apply a tourniquet proximal to the wrist.
C. apply pressure to the brachial artery.
D. wrap the towel with pressure bandages. - ANSWER -B. apply a tourniquet
proximal to the wrist.
A 25-year-old unrestrained female struck the steering wheel with her chest when
her car hit a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. She has signs and
symptoms of shock, which you suspect are the result of intrathoracic bleeding.
Which of the following interventions will provide this patient with the greatest
chance for survival?
Select one:
A. High-flow oxygen administration
B. Rapid transport to a trauma center
C. Full immobilization of her spine
D. Intravenous fluid administration - ANSWER -B. Rapid transport to a trauma
center
,A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, and
facial swelling. He denies any past medical history and takes no medications.
During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all the lung fields. His blood
pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. In addition to giving
him high-flow oxygen, the MOST important treatment for this patient is:
Select one:
A. epinephrine.
B. a beta-antagonist.
C. albuterol.
D. an antihistamine. - ANSWER -A. epinephrine.
A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious
and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed
MDI, you should:
Select one:
A. administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress.
B. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.
C. check the drug's expiration date to ensure that it is still current.
D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication. - ANSWER
-D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.
A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation at a
bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is conscious. He is screaming
in pain and is attempting to control the bleeding, which is bright red and spurting
from his groin area. You should:
Select one:
A. elevate his legs and keep him warm.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
C. administer 100% supplemental oxygen.
D. ensure that his airway is patent. - ANSWER -B. apply direct pressure to the
wound.
A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and
diaphoresis. You should:
Select one:
A. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin.
B. administer up to 324 mg of baby aspirin.
C. obtain vital signs and a SAMPLE history.
D. assess the adequacy of his respirations. - ANSWER -D. assess the adequacy
of his respirations.
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening
of his dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your
assessment reveals that he has a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished
,breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's
condition?
Select one:
A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
B. Exacerbation of his COPD
C. Acute pulmonary embolism
D. Rupture of the diaphragm - ANSWER -A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
A 60-year-old man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. You should:
Select one:
A. start CPR and transport immediately.
B. begin CPR until an AED is available.
C. withhold CPR until he is defibrillated.
D. determine if he has a valid living will. - ANSWER -B. begin CPR until an AED
is available.
A 62-year-old male is seen with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being
the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed
nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering supplemental
oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should:
Select one:
A. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 72
hours.
B. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood
pressure.
C. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit.
D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than
100 mm Hg. - ANSWER -D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic
blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.
A 66-year-old female with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with
substernal chest pressure of 2 hours' duration. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm
Hg, her pulse is 100 beats/min and irregular, her respirations are 22 breaths/min,
and her oxygen saturation is 92%. The patient does not have prescribed
nitroglycerin, but her husband does. You should:
Select one:
A. give her one nitroglycerin and reassess her systolic blood pressure.
B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further.
C. obtain a SAMPLE history and contact medical control for advice.
D. give her high-flow oxygen, attach the AED, and transport at once. - ANSWER -
B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further.
A by-product of involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation is:
Select one:
A. oxygen.
B. lactic acid.
, C. heat.
D. nitrogen. - ANSWER -C. heat.
A dissecting aortic aneurysm occurs when:
Select one:
A. a weakened area develops in the aortic wall.
B. the aorta ruptures, resulting in profound bleeding.
C. the inner layers of the aorta become separated.
D. all layers of the aorta suddenly contract. - ANSWER -C. the inner layers of the
aorta become separated.
A man was found unresponsive in his bed at home. There is no evidence of injury
and the patient's medical history is not known. The patient's face is cyanotic, yet
the pulse oximeter reads 98%. Which of the following would MOST likely explain
this?
Select one:
A. Severe pulmonary edema
B. Carbon monoxide poisoning
C. Increased body temperature
D. His extremities are cold - ANSWER -B. Carbon monoxide poisoning
A palpable pulse is created by:
Select one:
A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction.
B. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries.
C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. -
ANSWER -C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
A patient has a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg. The "130" in this measurement
represents:
Select one:
A. atrial contraction.
B. ventricular relaxation.
C. ventricular contraction.
D. ventricular filling. - ANSWER -C. ventricular contraction.
A patient has a large accumulation of blood in the sac surrounding the heart.
Which type of shock would this condition cause?
Select one:
A. Hypovolemic
B. Obstructive
C. Cardiogenic
D. Neurogenic - ANSWER -B. Obstructive
