EMT MEDICAL EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Instructions: This practice exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core medical
emergency content tested on the NREMT and state EMT certification exams. Topics include
airway management, cardiology, medical emergencies, pharmacology, and patient
assessment.
1. You arrive to find a patient unresponsive with slow, irregular
breathing. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen by NRB
B. Assist ventilations with a BVM
C. Insert an OPA only
D. Apply a nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B — Assist ventilations with a BVM
Rationale: Inadequate breathing requires immediate ventilation
support, not just oxygen delivery. Slow, irregular breathing indicates
the patient is not moving adequate air, so positive-pressure ventilation
with a bag-valve mask is required .
,2. A 24-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the chest and shows
signs of a sucking chest wound. What is the appropriate initial
treatment?
A. Apply a bulky dressing
B. Apply a 3-sided occlusive dressing
C. Start CPR
D. Give high-flow oxygen only
Correct Answer: B — Apply a 3-sided occlusive dressing
Rationale: Three-sided occlusive dressings allow air to escape while
preventing further air entry, preventing tension pneumothorax .
3. The proper depth of chest compressions in an adult is:
A. 1–1.5 inches
B. 1.5–2 inches
C. At least 2 inches
D. More than 3 inches
Correct Answer: C — At least 2 inches
,Rationale: Current CPR guidelines require compressing at least 2 inches
to generate sufficient perfusion .
4. Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during
swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Larynx
C. Epiglottis
D. Esophagus
Correct Answer: C — Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap-like structure that covers the opening
of the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration .
5. A patient with adequate breathing but low oxygen saturation needs
oxygen. Which device is best?
A. Nasal cannula
B. BVM
, C. CPAP
D. NRB mask
Correct Answer: D — NRB mask
Rationale: NRB provides high-flow oxygen for spontaneous breathing
with poor oxygenation. A nasal cannula delivers low-flow oxygen .
6. What is the most reliable indicator of adequate ventilation?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Skin color
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Patient talking
Correct Answer: A — Chest rise and fall
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation effectiveness is confirmed by visible
chest rise .
7. The "S" in SAMPLE history stands for:
WITH SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
Instructions: This practice exam contains multiple-choice questions covering the core medical
emergency content tested on the NREMT and state EMT certification exams. Topics include
airway management, cardiology, medical emergencies, pharmacology, and patient
assessment.
1. You arrive to find a patient unresponsive with slow, irregular
breathing. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen by NRB
B. Assist ventilations with a BVM
C. Insert an OPA only
D. Apply a nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B — Assist ventilations with a BVM
Rationale: Inadequate breathing requires immediate ventilation
support, not just oxygen delivery. Slow, irregular breathing indicates
the patient is not moving adequate air, so positive-pressure ventilation
with a bag-valve mask is required .
,2. A 24-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the chest and shows
signs of a sucking chest wound. What is the appropriate initial
treatment?
A. Apply a bulky dressing
B. Apply a 3-sided occlusive dressing
C. Start CPR
D. Give high-flow oxygen only
Correct Answer: B — Apply a 3-sided occlusive dressing
Rationale: Three-sided occlusive dressings allow air to escape while
preventing further air entry, preventing tension pneumothorax .
3. The proper depth of chest compressions in an adult is:
A. 1–1.5 inches
B. 1.5–2 inches
C. At least 2 inches
D. More than 3 inches
Correct Answer: C — At least 2 inches
,Rationale: Current CPR guidelines require compressing at least 2 inches
to generate sufficient perfusion .
4. Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during
swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Larynx
C. Epiglottis
D. Esophagus
Correct Answer: C — Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap-like structure that covers the opening
of the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration .
5. A patient with adequate breathing but low oxygen saturation needs
oxygen. Which device is best?
A. Nasal cannula
B. BVM
, C. CPAP
D. NRB mask
Correct Answer: D — NRB mask
Rationale: NRB provides high-flow oxygen for spontaneous breathing
with poor oxygenation. A nasal cannula delivers low-flow oxygen .
6. What is the most reliable indicator of adequate ventilation?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Skin color
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Patient talking
Correct Answer: A — Chest rise and fall
Rationale: Mechanical ventilation effectiveness is confirmed by visible
chest rise .
7. The "S" in SAMPLE history stands for:
