NREMT Paramedic Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
stridor - Correct answer-Harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound, swelling, fb in
upper airway. Croup is an example
Snoring - Correct answer-The sound of the soft tissue of the upper airway creating
a partial obstruction of air flow. The tongue blocking the airway is an example.
gurgling - Correct answer-indicates presence of fluid in the upper airway, need for
suctioning
Decorticate - Correct answer-elbows and hands flexed, and legs flexed. They are
internally rotated (the lets look bowlegged) (make an O with their arms: corticate)
Decerebrate (worse) - Correct answer-Stiffened and internally rotated elbows and
legs, teeth clenched, legs stiff and feet extended.
Babinski's response - Correct answer-dorsiflexion (splaying) of toes
-abnormal plantae reflex response if over 18 months
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,mydriasis - Correct answer-dilation of the pupil. Appears in cardiac arrest, shock,
cerebral hypoxia, cocaine, epinephrine, and amphetamines.
Miosis - Correct answer-Constricted pupils. Narcotics, CNS disorder, glaucoma
medication, bright light
anisocoria - Correct answer-unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurologic
dysfunction
nystagmus - Correct answer-involuntary rapid eye movements - often reported as
horizontal, vertical, or rotary
subcutaneous emphysema - Correct answer-Air under the skin; crepitus sound
rales (crackles) - Correct answer-Fluid in small airways (aveoli). Common in CHF,
pulonary edema, drowning, pneumonia, and COPD
Rhonchi - Correct answer-Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with
chronic mucus in the upper airways. Found in Bronchitus, COPD, and pneumonia.
Wheezing - Correct answer-The production of whistling sounds during expiration
such as occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.
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, Bronchial lung sounds - Correct answer-heard over trachea/upper sternum;
expiratory sound predominates; is higher pitched and louder; if heard in other
locations it indicates consolidation -- a space that usually contains air now has fluid
Bronchovesicular - Correct answer-Heard over scapula and 2/3rd intercostal space
lateral to sternum.
Apneustic breathing - Correct answer-Characterized by prolonged inspirations
unrelieved by attempts to exhale, which indicates trauma to the pons. AKA long,
deep breaths that are stopped during inspirations then periods of apnea.
Biot's (Ataxic) Respirations - Correct answer-Shallow, deep respirations with
periods of apnea
Irregular pattern
Precipitating factors: respiratory depression, brain damage
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - Correct answer-pattern of breathing characterized by a
gradual increase of depth and sometimes rate to a maximum level, followed by a
decrease, resulting in apnea
Hyperventilation - Correct answer-rapid, shallow breathing
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Questions and Answers
stridor - Correct answer-Harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound, swelling, fb in
upper airway. Croup is an example
Snoring - Correct answer-The sound of the soft tissue of the upper airway creating
a partial obstruction of air flow. The tongue blocking the airway is an example.
gurgling - Correct answer-indicates presence of fluid in the upper airway, need for
suctioning
Decorticate - Correct answer-elbows and hands flexed, and legs flexed. They are
internally rotated (the lets look bowlegged) (make an O with their arms: corticate)
Decerebrate (worse) - Correct answer-Stiffened and internally rotated elbows and
legs, teeth clenched, legs stiff and feet extended.
Babinski's response - Correct answer-dorsiflexion (splaying) of toes
-abnormal plantae reflex response if over 18 months
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,mydriasis - Correct answer-dilation of the pupil. Appears in cardiac arrest, shock,
cerebral hypoxia, cocaine, epinephrine, and amphetamines.
Miosis - Correct answer-Constricted pupils. Narcotics, CNS disorder, glaucoma
medication, bright light
anisocoria - Correct answer-unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurologic
dysfunction
nystagmus - Correct answer-involuntary rapid eye movements - often reported as
horizontal, vertical, or rotary
subcutaneous emphysema - Correct answer-Air under the skin; crepitus sound
rales (crackles) - Correct answer-Fluid in small airways (aveoli). Common in CHF,
pulonary edema, drowning, pneumonia, and COPD
Rhonchi - Correct answer-Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with
chronic mucus in the upper airways. Found in Bronchitus, COPD, and pneumonia.
Wheezing - Correct answer-The production of whistling sounds during expiration
such as occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Bronchial lung sounds - Correct answer-heard over trachea/upper sternum;
expiratory sound predominates; is higher pitched and louder; if heard in other
locations it indicates consolidation -- a space that usually contains air now has fluid
Bronchovesicular - Correct answer-Heard over scapula and 2/3rd intercostal space
lateral to sternum.
Apneustic breathing - Correct answer-Characterized by prolonged inspirations
unrelieved by attempts to exhale, which indicates trauma to the pons. AKA long,
deep breaths that are stopped during inspirations then periods of apnea.
Biot's (Ataxic) Respirations - Correct answer-Shallow, deep respirations with
periods of apnea
Irregular pattern
Precipitating factors: respiratory depression, brain damage
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - Correct answer-pattern of breathing characterized by a
gradual increase of depth and sometimes rate to a maximum level, followed by a
decrease, resulting in apnea
Hyperventilation - Correct answer-rapid, shallow breathing
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
