EMT PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
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
Answer: B. Assist ventilations with a BVM
Rationale: Inadequate breathing requires immediate
ventilation support, not just oxygen delivery.
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
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
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
Answer: C. Epiglottis
,Rationale: The epiglottis closes over the trachea during
swallowing.
5. A child with severe airway obstruction becomes
unresponsive. You should first:
A. Give a blind finger sweep
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Attempt two breaths
D. Perform abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Begin chest compressions
Rationale: In an unresponsive choking victim, compressions
attempt to dislodge the obstruction.
6. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Right atrium
Answer: C. Pulmonary vein
Rationale: Only the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood
to the heart.
7. What is the first step in using an AED?
, A. Turn on the AED
B. Apply pads
C. Analyze rhythm
D. Deliver a shock
Answer: A. Turn on the AED
Rationale: The AED provides instructions only after power is
turned on.
8. 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
Answer: D. NRB mask
Rationale: NRB provides high-flow oxygen for spontaneous
breathing with poor oxygenation.
9. What is the most reliable indicator of adequate ventilation?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Skin color
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Patient talking
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
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
Answer: B. Assist ventilations with a BVM
Rationale: Inadequate breathing requires immediate
ventilation support, not just oxygen delivery.
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
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
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
Answer: C. Epiglottis
,Rationale: The epiglottis closes over the trachea during
swallowing.
5. A child with severe airway obstruction becomes
unresponsive. You should first:
A. Give a blind finger sweep
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Attempt two breaths
D. Perform abdominal thrusts
Answer: B. Begin chest compressions
Rationale: In an unresponsive choking victim, compressions
attempt to dislodge the obstruction.
6. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Right atrium
Answer: C. Pulmonary vein
Rationale: Only the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood
to the heart.
7. What is the first step in using an AED?
, A. Turn on the AED
B. Apply pads
C. Analyze rhythm
D. Deliver a shock
Answer: A. Turn on the AED
Rationale: The AED provides instructions only after power is
turned on.
8. 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
Answer: D. NRB mask
Rationale: NRB provides high-flow oxygen for spontaneous
breathing with poor oxygenation.
9. What is the most reliable indicator of adequate ventilation?
A. Chest rise and fall
B. Skin color
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Patient talking
