West Coast EMT Final Exam | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200
Practice Questions
Question 1
A 60yearold man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. You should:
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
Explanation: Basic life support (BLS) requires immediate initiation of CPR for unresponsive, pulseless,
apneic patients. Highquality chest compressions should begin immediately and continue until an AED is
available for defibrillation.
Question 2
Basic life support (BLS) is defined as:
A. Basic lifesaving treatment performed by bystanders while EMS providers are en route.
B. Noninvasive emergency care used to treat conditions such as airway obstruction, respiratory arrest,
and cardiac arrest.
C. Invasive emergency medical interventions such as intravenous therapy, manual defibrillation, and
advanced airway management.
D. Any form of emergency medical treatment provided in the prehospital setting.
Answer: B
,Explanation: BLS refers to noninvasive emergency care used to treat lifethreatening conditions including
airway obstruction, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. It includes CPR, AED use, and basic airway
management.
Question 3
What is the EMT's FIRST priority on any emergency call?
A. Patient assessment
B. Airway management
C. Scene safety
D. Transport decision
Answer: C
Explanation: Scene safety is always the EMT's first priority. The EMT must ensure the scene is safe
before approaching the patient to prevent injury to themselves, their partner, and bystanders.
Question 4
You are assessing a patient for hypoperfusion (shock). Which of the following signs and symptoms would
indicate the presence of hypoperfusion?
A. Extreme thirst and restlessness
B. Poor mentation and stridor
C. Cyanosis and slow respirations
D. Pale skin and hypertension
,Answer: A
Explanation: Extreme thirst and restlessness are classic signs and symptoms of shock. You would also
expect to find pale, cool, clammy skin, altered mental status, rapid and shallow respirations, and
increased heart rate.
Question 5
When you arrive at a masscasualty incident at which other ambulances have already arrived, you should
first:
A. Repeat the triage process.
B. Report to the incident commander.
C. Initiate care for the most critically injured patients.
D. Obtain information from the fire service commander.
Answer: B
Explanation: At a masscasualty incident, the first arriving EMS provider should report to the incident
commander to receive assignments and coordinate the response. This ensures organized management
of the scene.
Question 6
During the triage process at a masscasualty incident, which of the following injuries or conditions would
classify a patient as a high priority?
A. Pulselessness and apnea
, B. Unilateral femur fracture and tachycardia
C. Partialthickness burns with no respiratory difficulty
D. A large avulsion to the arm and an altered mental status
Answer: D
Explanation: A large avulsion with altered mental status indicates a highpriority (immediate) patient.
Pulseless and apneic patients are classified as deceased (black tag) in masscasualty triage.
Question 7
The role of triage officer at a masscasualty incident should be assumed by the:
A. Most knowledgeable EMS provider.
B. EMS provider with the most years of experience.
C. First EMS provider who is willing to perform the task.
D. EMS medical director via telephone communication.
Answer: A
Explanation: The most knowledgeable EMS provider should assume the role of triage officer to ensure
accurate triage decisions. Experience alone does not guarantee the best triage skills.
Question 8
Which of the following statements regarding the use of an escort vehicle when en route to an
emergency call is true?
Practice Questions
Question 1
A 60yearold man is found to be unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. You should:
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
Explanation: Basic life support (BLS) requires immediate initiation of CPR for unresponsive, pulseless,
apneic patients. Highquality chest compressions should begin immediately and continue until an AED is
available for defibrillation.
Question 2
Basic life support (BLS) is defined as:
A. Basic lifesaving treatment performed by bystanders while EMS providers are en route.
B. Noninvasive emergency care used to treat conditions such as airway obstruction, respiratory arrest,
and cardiac arrest.
C. Invasive emergency medical interventions such as intravenous therapy, manual defibrillation, and
advanced airway management.
D. Any form of emergency medical treatment provided in the prehospital setting.
Answer: B
,Explanation: BLS refers to noninvasive emergency care used to treat lifethreatening conditions including
airway obstruction, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. It includes CPR, AED use, and basic airway
management.
Question 3
What is the EMT's FIRST priority on any emergency call?
A. Patient assessment
B. Airway management
C. Scene safety
D. Transport decision
Answer: C
Explanation: Scene safety is always the EMT's first priority. The EMT must ensure the scene is safe
before approaching the patient to prevent injury to themselves, their partner, and bystanders.
Question 4
You are assessing a patient for hypoperfusion (shock). Which of the following signs and symptoms would
indicate the presence of hypoperfusion?
A. Extreme thirst and restlessness
B. Poor mentation and stridor
C. Cyanosis and slow respirations
D. Pale skin and hypertension
,Answer: A
Explanation: Extreme thirst and restlessness are classic signs and symptoms of shock. You would also
expect to find pale, cool, clammy skin, altered mental status, rapid and shallow respirations, and
increased heart rate.
Question 5
When you arrive at a masscasualty incident at which other ambulances have already arrived, you should
first:
A. Repeat the triage process.
B. Report to the incident commander.
C. Initiate care for the most critically injured patients.
D. Obtain information from the fire service commander.
Answer: B
Explanation: At a masscasualty incident, the first arriving EMS provider should report to the incident
commander to receive assignments and coordinate the response. This ensures organized management
of the scene.
Question 6
During the triage process at a masscasualty incident, which of the following injuries or conditions would
classify a patient as a high priority?
A. Pulselessness and apnea
, B. Unilateral femur fracture and tachycardia
C. Partialthickness burns with no respiratory difficulty
D. A large avulsion to the arm and an altered mental status
Answer: D
Explanation: A large avulsion with altered mental status indicates a highpriority (immediate) patient.
Pulseless and apneic patients are classified as deceased (black tag) in masscasualty triage.
Question 7
The role of triage officer at a masscasualty incident should be assumed by the:
A. Most knowledgeable EMS provider.
B. EMS provider with the most years of experience.
C. First EMS provider who is willing to perform the task.
D. EMS medical director via telephone communication.
Answer: A
Explanation: The most knowledgeable EMS provider should assume the role of triage officer to ensure
accurate triage decisions. Experience alone does not guarantee the best triage skills.
Question 8
Which of the following statements regarding the use of an escort vehicle when en route to an
emergency call is true?
